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Bon Voyage! (1962 film)

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Wikipedia article




'Bon Voyage!' is a 1962 American comedy film directed by James Neilson and produced by Walt Disney Productions. It stars Fred MacMurray, Jane Wyman, Deborah Walley, Tommy Kirk, and Kevin Corcoran as the Willard family on a European holiday.

The character actor James Millhollin appears in the film as the ship's librarian.

Plot



Harry Willard finally makes good his promise to take his bride of 20 years on a long-delayed trip by ship to Europe. They are accompanied by their 19-year-old son (Elliott), 18-year-old daughter (Amy), and 11-year-old son (Skipper). From the time they arrive at the dock, an unending series of comedy adventures and romantic encounters ensue until, exhausted but happy, they leave with memories that will stay with them all for years to come.

Cast



* Fred MacMurray as Harry Willard

* Jane Wyman as Katie Willard

* Michael Callan as Nick O'Mara

* Deborah Walley as Amy Willard

* Jessie Royce Landis as Countessa 'La Comtesse' DuFresne

* Tommy Kirk as Elliott Willard

* Georgette Anys as Madame Clebert

* Kevin Corcoran as Skipper Willard

* Ivan Desny as Rudolph Hunschak

* Franoise Prvost as The Girl

* Alex Gerry as Horace Bidwell

* Howard Smith as Judge Henderson

* Max Showalter as The Tight Suit

* James Millhollin as Ship's Librarian

* Marcel Hillaire as Sewer Guide

* Richard Wattis as Party Guest

Production



The film was based on a 1956 novel by Joseph and Merrijane Hayes. Joseph Hayes had written 'The Desperate Hours' and 'Bon Voyage' was his second book; he and his wife wrote it after taking a trip across the Atlantic.

Film rights were bought by Universal before the book had even been published for $125,000 and it was announced the film would be produced by Ross Hunter and written by the Hayes'.'Bon Voyage' Announced as Major Buy; 'Holiday in Monaco' Wald Film,

Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times9 Oct 1956: C11.
Esther Williams was originally announced as star. Then, James Cagney was going to play the lead. Filming dates were pushed back when Bing Crosby was linked to the project.

In early 1960, it was announced Disney had optioned the novel. Disney said it was likely Ken Annakin would direct with Karl Malden, James MacArthur and Janet Munro to star. Later, Robert Stevenson was announced as director.

"It's far out for us", said Disney, "but still Disney. I'm really a gag man and missed the kind of pictures Frank Capra and Harold Lloyd used to make. Since nobody else wanted to do them, I decided to make them myself."

Eventually, Fred MacMurray, Jane Wyman, and Tommy Kirk were confirmed as the three leads. However, casting the daughter proved more difficult. "You must build a picture", said Walt Disney. "You don't write it all only part of it. And it's the light and comic picture that's toughest of all to build."

Michael Callan was cast from the play of 'West Side Story'. Deborah Walley was cast on the basis of her performance in 'Gidget Goes Hawaiian'.

Filming began on 15 August 1961. It took place partly on location on a genuine ocean cruiser travelling across the Atlantic and in France. Walt Disney accompanied the film on location.

Tommy Kirk did not get along with Jane Wyman:

I thought Jane Wyman was a hard, cold woman and I got to hate her by the time I was through with 'Bon Voyage'. Of course, she didn't like me either, so I guess it came natural. I think she had some suspicion that I was gay and all I can say is that, if she didn't like me for that, she doesn't like a lot of people.Minton, Kevin, "Sex, Lies, and Disney Tape: Walt's Fallen Star", 'Filmfax' Issue 38, April 1993 p 71


The title song was written by Disney staff songwriters, Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman.

Reception



Box office

'Bon Voyage!' grossed $9,082,042 in the United States[https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Bon-Voyage-(1962)#tab=summary Box Office Information for 'Bon Voyage!'] The Numbers. Retrieved June 13, 2013. and earned $5 million in theatrical rentals.

Critical

Bosley Crowther of 'The New York Times' wrote, "Everything possibly unearthable in the way of an obvious clich involving the hick behavior of American tourists abroad seems to have been dug out from somewhere by the screen-playwright, Bill Walsh, and made to fit into this enactment of a family's vacation odyssey."Crowther, Bosley (May 18, 1962). "Screen: 'Bon Voyage!' at Music Hall". 'The New York Times'. 34.

'Variety' stated, "Walt Disney dishes up another comedy blockbuster in this rollicking tour de force of an American family seeing Europe for the first time.""Film Reviews: Bon Voyage". 'Variety'. May 9, 1962. 6. Philip K. Scheuer of the 'Los Angeles Times' declared it "the half-year's funniest farce."Scheuer, Philip K. (June 24, 1962). "Frontrunners in '62 Movie Sweepstakes". 'Los Angeles Times'. Calendar, p. 7.

Brendan Gill of 'The New Yorker' wrote that Disney "always manages to put a pleasing, no-expense-spared shine on his goods, but in this case the goods go back at least as far as Mark Twain and his 'Innocents Abroad,' and maybe to Sterne and his 'Sentimental Journey.'"Gill, Brendan (May 26, 1962). "The Current Cinema". 'The New Yorker'. 133-134.

'The Monthly Film Bulletin' stated, "The film, though unmistakably from the Disney stable, has little of the affectionately zany humor that so unexpectedly enlivened 'The Parent Trap' and 'The Absent-Minded Professor'."

Awards



The film was nominated for two Academy Awards.

* Costume Design (Color)-(Bill Thomas)

* Sound (Robert O. Cook)

References




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