One of my favorite hobbies is rediscovering films that time seems to have been forgotten. Not the classics that folks of all ages have heard about even if they haven’t seen them, but the films undeservedly less remembered. I’ve got just such a film for you today from Disney. A film with stars of the 60’s, adventure, and that old-school Disney vibe.
Released in 1964, “The Moon-Spinners” is a mystery film based on the 1962 suspense novel of the same name by British novelist Mary Stewart. Produced by Walt Disney Productions, the film stars Hayley Mills, Eli Wallach, Peter McEnery and Irene Pappas, and is directed by James Neilson.
Stewart is known for developing romantic-mystery novels that featured strong women in dangerous situations. Her novels, which were well-received by critics due to her skillful writing, are also known for taking place in exotic locations like Damascus and, in the case of “The Moon-Spinners,” the Greek islands.
The Moon-Spinners Synopsis
Arriving at the Moon-Spinners Inn on the Greek island of Crete, a young English tourist named Nikky Ferris (Mills) falls for a young Englishman (McEnery) who appears to be caught up in a jewelry-smuggling ring. In a game of cat-and-mouse, the mysterious Stratos (Wallach) pursues the two throughout the island, who is also the brother of Sophia (Pappas), the owner of the Moon-Spinners Inn.
The film, a vehicle for Mills, has a darker tone than her other films produced by the studio, and more in common with Disney’s live-action adventure films, such as 1954’s blockbuster “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.” Mills’ other Disney credits include “Pollyanna,” “The Parent Trap,” “In Search of the Castaways,” “Summer Magic,” and “That Darn Cat.”
At a cost of five million dollars, “The Moon-Spinners” was one of the Walt Disney Studios most expensive live-action movie productions during that era. The film is also Walt Disney’s penultimate live-action film in which he was credited as producer, along with Ron Miller.
Mr. Disney, I’m Ready for My Close-up
When the film was casting, Walt Disney pursued legendary silent film actress Pola Negri, who had been retired from acting for nearly two decades, and asked her to return to Hollywood for the role of jewel collector Madame Habib.
This was the first theatrical movie for Negri since she appeared in 1943’s comedy-musical “Hi Diddle Diddle.” It would also be her final film performance.
According to Negri, she suggested using a cheetah as her pet instead of a domestic cat, which was in the script. “I suggested that we use a cheetah instead – and Walt loved the idea. You know, I always had a cheetah around the house in the old days.”
In 1922, Negri became the first European actress in history to be contracted in Hollywood when she signed with Paramount Studios. During her career, she was romantically linked with many celebrities, most notably Charlie Chaplin, Rod La Rocque, and Rudolph Valentino.
Adventure Is Out There
Using the beautiful vistas of Crete as a backdrop and thematic tone of the film, “The Moon-Spinners” gave Mills the opportunity to portray a strong-willed woman in locations that are far removed from the American landscape of “Pollyanna.” Additionally, “The Moon-Spinners” gave Mills an opportunity to act in dangerous (appearing) situations her previous films didn’t afford.
In one of the film’s thrilling sequences, Nikky is trapped in a windmill while being pursued and attempts to escape by climbing down one of the vanes. To heighten the sense of anxiety, the director uses photography to place viewers with Nikky on the windmill’s exterior. Not only does the audience feel her anxiety, they also feel like they are sharing the experience with her.
The film also uses items that are quintessentially Greek as plot devices, and in some cases, subtle humor. In one instance, Mills attempts to steal a bottle of Metaxa, a Greek amber spirit, while a group of women sing in their native language.
Reception
The film received mixed to generally good reviews from critics, but Mills was credited with a sparkling performance. However, the movie didn’t generate much box-office. In fact, its estimated take was a little over $3.5 million, which was below the film’s $5 million dollar budget.
Rather than re-issuing the film in theaters to recoup production costs, the studio edited the movie into three parts and was made into a three-part movie of the week on NBC’s “The Wonderful World of Disney” in 1966. Over time, the film would air many times through syndication. “The Moon-Spinners” is now available for streaming on Disney+.
Suspense at Tiger Bay
“The Moon-Spinners” wasn’t Mills’ first time starring in a suspense yarn (though it was her first such film for Disney). In 1959 she made her film debut as tomboy Gillie Evans in the crime drama “Tiger Bay,” the film where Walt Disney first spotted the future “Pollyanna” star. The film also stars her father, John Mills, as Superintendent Graham, who is trying to solve a crime that Gillie witnessed.
Honored by the Walt Disney Company in 2002 as a Disney Legend, fans may recognize John Mills as the father of the shipwrecked family in 1960’s “Swiss Family Robinson.”
Hello Heraklion
“The Moon-Spinners” was one of the few feature films of that era that exposed American audiences to the Hellenic culture. However, it wasn’t the only film released that year that took place on the Greek island.
Based on the novel by Nikos Kazantzakis, the Oscar-winning “Zorba the Greek,” which was distributed by Twentieth Century Fox, opened in theaters that same year. Just like “The Moon-Spinners,” Kazantzakis’ book placed fictional characters in real locations. Another noteworthy film that featured Greek culture was 1960’s “Never on Sunday,” a variation on the “Pygmalion” theme that starred the great Melina Mercouri and spawned an Oscar-winning hit song.
Bonus Trivia: Hayley Mills and The Little Mermaid
Unknown to many people, Mills had a turn at voicing an animated version of The Little Mermaid. In 1966, Rankin Bass released the hybrid family film, “The Daydreamer.” A mix of live action and stop motion animation, the film follows a young Hans Christian Andersen who imagines a world of fairy tales filled with mermaids, a mysterious sandman, a naïve emperor, and a tiny maiden named “Thumbelina.”
After its theatrical run, the film became a staple of children’s syndicated holiday programming during the late 1960s and 1970s. “The Daydreamer” introduced children to an all-star cast and original music by Maury Laws and Jules Bass. It also features caricatures of the film’s stars in the opening titles illustrated by famed caricaturist Al Hirschfeld.
…and Now, Here Are The Muppets
To celebrate the Muppets’ return to TV via Disney+, let’s watch Miss Piggy and company do their interpretation of “Never on Sunday” with a dash of “Zorba the Greek.” Opa!
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Let’s Hear From You
Are you of an age to remember “The Moon Spinners”? What treasures have you found on Disney+? Share your thoughts about this film or what you’d like to see me feature in future articles from the Disney vault!