1977 was a year that a few notable premieres took place for the Walt Disney Company. “The New Mickey Mouse Club” debuted in syndication, “The Rescuers,” Disney’s 23rd animated feature was released on which three of the Nine Old Men — Ollie Johnston, Milt Kahl, and Frank Thomas — served as key animators for the last time, a version of the Main Street Electrical Parade premiered at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, and Space Mountain opened at Disneyland.
During this era, Walt Disney Productions released the family comedy “Candleshoe,” which featured Jodie Foster in her fifth appearance in a Disney theatrical film, and was also the final appearance of the great Helen Hayes, David Niven and Leo McKern.
“Candleshoe” is an enjoyable comedy-mystery that has a stellar cast, nice pacing, and beautiful cinematography that personifies the Disney brand of the 1970s. The film’s title derives its name from the principal setting, a Tudor mansion in Warwickshire. You can enjoy taking a trip down memory lane watching this film on Disney+
Candleshoe Synopsis
When ex-con artist Harry (Leo McKern) believes that a secret treasure of pirate captain Joshua St. Edmund is hidden inside the English estate Candleshoe, he constructs an elaborate plan to find and steal the treasure. By convincing an orphaned girl named Casey (Jodie Foster) to impersonate the estate owner’s granddaughter, Harry hopes to con the family and uncover the treasure’s location.
Initially hostile, Casey begins to warm to Lady St. Edmund (Helen Hayes), who is living in genteel poverty in the stately home with a devoted butler (David Niven) and a trio of local orphans and the charms of the estate itself.
With a change of heart, Casey must follow the clues and find the treasure, in order to save Candleshoe and stop Harry before it is too late.
On Location
The movie was filmed on location in England, at Compton Wynyates, the home of the 7th Marquess of Northampshire. The estate was the home of British peer Spencer Douglas David Compton, nicknamed “Spenny,” the 7th Marquess of Northampton.
Fans of the 1980s TV sitcom “Silver Spoons” may recognize the estate as the Stratton Mansion from the main titles sequence. The façade was also used as the new country home of the heiress Linnet Ridgeway of the 1978 mystery film “Death on the Nile.”
The Severn Valley Railway, the sixth-longest standard gauge heritage line in the United Kingdom that runs between the midland towns of Bridgnorth and Kidderminister, was also used as a location.
Movie aficionados may recognize the railway from the 2005 film, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”
A Change in Direction
Screenwriter David Swift, who directed 1960’s “Pollyanna” and 1961’s “The Parent Trap,” developed this project for Disney and was set to direct it. However, he was outraged when Foster was offered the role of Casey, saying “She has a coldness that you cannot warm up to” and stepped down.
Directing duties would go to Disney veteran Norman Tokar, who had directed other comedies like 1970’s “The Boatniks” and 1975’s “The Apple Dumpling Gang.” Swift is credited for writing “Candleshoe” with Rosemary Anne Sisson.
During the film’s production, David Niven defended Foster’s ability to act. He called her “a little smasher” and told Roger Moore that his co-star was “a most extraordinarily talented child who knew more than the director or cameraman.”
The Rising Star of Jodie Foster
When Foster was cast in the starring role as Casey, she only had a three week break after completing principal photography for 1976’s “Freaky Friday,” which also starred Barbara Harris and John Astin.
“Candleshoe” would be Foster’s farewell to childhood and final appearance in a film made by Walt Disney Pictures during the 1970s. The feature films she starred in include “Napoleon and Samantha,” “Tom Sawyer,” “One Little Indian,” and the original “Freaky Friday.” Prior to the theatrical films, Foster also appeared in the two-part movie of the week “Menace on the Mountain” for NBC’s “The Wonderful World of Disney.”
Foster would eventually become a two-time Oscar winner as best actress. Her first win was for portraying Sarah Tobias in 1988’s “The Accused,” and her second as Clarice Starling in 1991’s suspense masterpiece “The Silence of the Lambs,” which also won the Oscar for best picture.
A Cast With Brilliance
With Foster, Hayes and Niven in the leading roles, the superior cast lights up the screen.
Before starring in “Candleshoe,” Hayes, who earned the nickname “First Lady of American Theatre,” was one of 16 people who have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award (an EGOT). These accolades also made her the first woman and first person to win the Triple Crown of Acting (the Emmy, Oscar, and Tony).
However, she was no stranger to being in a Disney film. Hays had also appeared in two other family comedies during this era. She starred in 1974’s “Herbie Rides Again” with Ken Berry and Stephanie Powers, and in 1975’s “One of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing” with Peter Ustinov. Both films were directed by Robert Stevenson.
David Niven, who had an illustrious career in film and TV, and won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as Major Pollock in 1958’s “Separate Tables,” also appeared in another Disney film. In 1976, he starred in the crime comedy “No Deposit, No Return.” The film also starred Darren McGavin, Don Knotts, Herschel Bernardi, Charles Martin Smith, Barbara Feldon, Kim Richards, and Brad Savage.
Play it Again, Sam
For those familiar with “Pirates of the Caribbean” at the Disney parks, the attraction’s theme song made its way into the film. In keeping with the film’s plot of a lost pirate’s treasure, a portion of the melody from “Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me)” is featured throughout the film. This becomes more evident towards the climactic ending of the film.
Reception
When the film debuted on December 16, 1977, it was met with soft box office receipts and mixed film reviews. Critics thought the film was mildly enjoyable but also commented that Disney’s brand for children’s entertainment that had worked well for many decades was beginning to feel commercially underwhelming and perhaps a little old-fashioned.
Due to Hollywood’s blockbusters changing the taste of moviegoers of that era, Disney’s films had difficulty finding an audience. Earlier that year, “Star Wars” debuted and 1975’s “Jaws” was still a pop culture phenomenon.
However, what “Candleshoe” does well is entertain all family members with lighthearted dialogue that reminds people of a bygone era and a nostalgic style of storytelling. What felt dated just a few decades ago now feels fresh again. The chemistry between the children and the connection they have with the principal actors adds an authentic feel of camaraderie. “Candleshoe” is a wonderful family film that’s filled with characters viewers will care about.
The film also stars Leo McKern (Bundage), Vivian Pickles (Grimsworthy), Veronica Quilligan (Cluny), Ian Sharrock (Peter), Sarah Tamakuni (Anna), David Samuels (Bobby), John Alderson (Jenkins), Mildred Shay (Mrs. McCress), Michael Balfour (Mr. McCress), and Sydney Bromley (Mr. Thresher).
Bonus Clip from 1977
Are you feeling nostalgic for a simpler time? Let’s take a trip on a time machine back to 1977 and see what was happening at Disneyland when “Candleshoe” was in theaters!
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Let’s Hear From You
Will you be adding “Candleshoe” to your Disney+ watchlist? What do you think about Swift’s departure from directing “Candleshoe” after Foster was given the lead role? Did you know that 1977 was such a monumental year for Disney? Share your thoughts in the comments below
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