{"id":60367,"date":"2018-03-06T08:00:37","date_gmt":"2018-03-06T13:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/?p=60367"},"modified":"2022-02-05T23:16:45","modified_gmt":"2022-02-06T04:16:45","slug":"movie-review-scandalous-john","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/movie-review-scandalous-john\/","title":{"rendered":"Movie Review: Scandalous John"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Scandalous
Image Copyright Disney<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Based on Richard Gardner\u2019s 1963 novel of the same name, which is an Americanized version of Miguel de Cervantes\u2019s classic Spanish novel Don Quixote<\/em>, Disney\u2019s Scandalous John<\/em> was theatrically released on June 22, 1971. The live action comedy-drama is 113 minutes in length.<\/p>\n

Plot Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 1970 New Mexico, a confused old man named John McCanless (Brian Keith), the son of a legendary cattle driver named Pistol Pete McCanless, who carved out a cattle empire in the late-nineteenth century only to cede most of his land to those in need without obtaining compensation, lives worriedly in his ranch on the edge of the desert. You see, sans adequate funds to pay his mortgage, John, emotionally lost since the death of his wife, Fern, and believing that he is living in his father\u2019s era rather than in his own time, is on the verge of forfeiting his property to the influential developer Barton Whittaker (Simon Oakland), who wants to construct a dam on the land. While John\u2019s granddaughter, Amanda McCanless (Michele Carey), tries to negotiate a deal with Whittaker\u2019s sympathetic son, Jimmy (Rick Lenz), to save the ranch, John takes matters into his own hands. Along with his new sidekick, a Mexican laborer named Francisco Torrez \u201cPaco\u201d Martinez (Alfonso Arau), John embarks on a cattle drive, an adventure designed to sell enough cattle at the famed city of Quivira to pay off his mortgage. As John\u2019s mind is not synchronized with reality, the plan has no rational chance of success, but miracles often occur in Disney movies. Will John somehow save his ranch, or, if unsuccessful at this endeavor, will he at least find happiness?<\/p>\n

Characterization<\/strong><\/p>\n

The pacing of Scandalous John <\/em>is somewhat disjointed, alternately tranquil and frenetic. Perhaps reflecting McCanless\u2019s old age and his desire to live amidst nature, the film generally moves slowly but periodically accelerates with segments of intense action. Although the movie unfolds at a leisurely pace, the corresponding beauty of the film\u2019s music and scenery, combined with a great performance by Brian Keith, prevents the effort from becoming boring. Keith\u2019s convincing portrayal of the depressed old man renders the growing friendship between John and Paco gratifying\u2014it is hard not to feel happy for John.<\/p>\n

Action<\/strong><\/p>\n

Action sequences are included throughout Scandalous John<\/em>. Along the way, viewers witness numerous shootouts, equestrian folly, sucker punches, and a runaway train.<\/p>\n

Progress<\/strong><\/p>\n

Although modern engineering can bolster the quality of life in secluded areas, such innovation often mitigates nature\u2019s beauty, and those charged with implementing improvements may be acting under selfish motives that are opposed to the desires of local constituents. John is obviously confused about his real place in the world, but his fears concerning Barton Whittaker\u2019s plans are not meritless.<\/p>\n

Music<\/strong><\/p>\n

Scandalous John<\/em>\u2019s soundtrack mainly comprises instrumental background music, but a lyrical number, \u201cPastures Green,\u201d which details the serenity of a life lived amidst nature, is also featured. The music is largely soothing and, coupled with visuals of the desert at various times of the day, adds an element of beauty to the film. \u201cPastures Green\u201d is an especially beautiful effort.<\/p>\n

A whimsical tune played early in the film when Paco settles into his room feels like a lost opportunity. The music here sounds like the introduction to an extended lyrical number, but no such song materializes.<\/p>\n

Humor<\/strong><\/p>\n

Confusion often causes John to embark on directionless tangents. For example, upon seeing several bikers ride into an outdoor market owned by an elderly lady, the infuriated title character hastens to save the lady from these \u201cdrunk renegades\u201d! Unbeknownst to John, however, the owner, far from being in trouble, was enjoying the bikers\u2019 company, and John\u2019s efforts result in the destruction of the establishment. Although John concludes his visit by calling himself the owner\u2019s \u201cpersonal protector\u201d and encouraging her to \u201choller\u201d whenever she needs help, something tells me that he will not be called back.<\/p>\n

Later in the film, John mistakes a western-themed tourist attraction for a wild late-nineteenth century western town.<\/p>\n

Paco struggles to mount John\u2019s mule. Although this mule looks weak, it is really a champion! The evidence: it eats Wheaties.<\/p>\n

Upon riding into the department store to buy boots for Paco, John\u2019s horse reacts negatively to the smell of the owner. After John surmises that the owner\u2019s \u201cperfume\u201d is the issue, the owner enthusiastically corrects his patron, saying, \u201cIt\u2019s not perfume, it\u2019s Lilac Tweed, a man\u2019s cologne!\u201d Well, whatever it is, it stinks.<\/p>\n

While robbing Whittaker\u2019s henchmen on the runaway train, John makes sure to keep the mariachi band onboard while ejecting everybody else. Ah, nothing beats good music!<\/p>\n

Relationship to Other Disney Films<\/strong><\/p>\n

Other Disney westerns released during the 1970s included The Apple Dumpling Gang <\/em>(1975), Hot Lead and Cold Feet<\/em> (1978), and The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again<\/em> (1979).<\/p>\n

Scandalous John <\/em>was the last of seven Disney films to feature Brian Keith, following Ten Who Dared <\/em>(1960), The Parent Trap <\/em>(1961), Moon Pilot <\/em>(1962), Savage Sam <\/em>(1963), A Tiger Walks <\/em>(1964), and Those Calloways <\/em>(1965).<\/p>\n

Scandalous John<\/em> was the first of three Disney films to feature Alfonso Arau, who subsequently contributed to Run, Cougar, Run<\/em> (1972) and Coco <\/em>(2017) for the studio.<\/p>\n

Scandalous John<\/em> was the second of seven Disney films to feature Harry Morgan, who briefly appears as Sheriff Pippin. Morgan had previously appeared in The Barefoot Executive <\/em>(1971) for Disney, and he subsequently contributed to Snowball Express <\/em>(1972), Charley and the Angel <\/em>(1974), The Apple Dumpling Gang<\/em>, The Cat from Outer Space<\/em> (1978), and The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again<\/em> for the studio.<\/p>\n

In the Parks<\/strong><\/p>\n

At Walt Disney World, two roller coasters, the Magic Kingdom\u2019s \u201cBig Thunder Mountain Railroad\u201d and the Animal Kingdom\u2019s \u201cExpedition Everest,\u201d are themed after runaway trains.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Image Copyright The Mouse For Less<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Although Disneyland Resort Paris is located far from New Mexico, guests at Disneyland Paris can choose to lodge at \u201cDisney’s Hotel Santa Fe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Overall<\/strong><\/p>\n

Its numerous action scenes notwithstanding, Scandalous John<\/em> is not among Disney\u2019s most exciting films. Still, the beauty of both the music and the setting make the flick worth watching.<\/p>\n

What do you think of Scandalous John? Let me know in the comments!<\/em><\/p>\n

Did you like this article? Make sure to share it with your friends! Check below for easy ways to share!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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    Based on Richard Gardner\u2019s 1963 novel of the same name, which is an Americanized version of Miguel de Cervantes\u2019s classic Spanish novel Don Quixote, Disney\u2019s Scandalous John was theatrically released on June 22, 1971. The live action comedy-drama is 113 minutes in length. Plot Summary In 1970 New Mexico, a confused old man named John…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67,"featured_media":60368,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[73],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-60367","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-disney-movies"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60367","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/67"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=60367"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60367\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":60398,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60367\/revisions\/60398"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/60368"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=60367"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=60367"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=60367"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}