When people think of actor Kurt Russell, films like 1982’s horror classic “The Thing,” 1986’s kung-fu comedy action film “Big Trouble in Little China,” and the 2019 Quentin Tarantino film “Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood” come to mind. Many may also recognize him from guest starring appearances on many classic television series, such as “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” and “Love, American Style.”
During his storied career, he received an Emmy Award nomination for the 1979 made-for-television biographical film “Elvis,” which was his first collaboration with director John Carpenter. He was also nominated for a Best Supporting Actor award at the Golden Globes for his performance in 1983’s “Silkwood.”
However, most people don’t realize that before he was portraying larger-than-life anti-heroes, the seasoned actor was once the Walt Disney Studio’s top star during the 1970s.
In 1966, Russell was signed to a ten-year contract with the Walt Disney Studios, where he became the studio’s top star. During this time, he starred in coming of age film “Follow Me, Boys!” and many teen comedies, such as “The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes” and “The Barefoot Executive.”
Let’s go back to where it began in 1966 and take a look at Russell’s film portfolio for the Walt Disney Studios.
Follow Me, Boys! (1966)
Adapted by the 1954 novel “God and My Country” by MacKinlay Kantor, Russell’s first film for the Disney Studios was the final live action film produced by Walt Disney, who died two weeks after the film’s theatrical release.
In the film, Lem Siddons (Fred MacMurray) decides to embark as a scoutmaster to a group of high-spirited Boy Scouts. The film also stars Vera Miles, Charles Ruggles, and film legend Lillian Gish.
The title song “Follow Me, Boys!” was written by Robert M. and Richard B. Sherman. After the film’s release, the Boy Scouts of America considering using the song as their anthem.
Mosby’s Marauders (1967)
In Russell’s second film, he portrays Willie Prentiss (Russell), a young Confederate scout who is assigned to guard a remote river outpost during the American Civil War. He befriends a young Yankee named Corporal Jenkins (James MacArthur) across a picket line.
“Mosby’s Marauders” also stars Nick Adams, Jack Ging, Peggy Lipton, Donald Harron, and Jeanne Cooper.
The film’s first telecast was on “The Wonderful World of Disney” as a two-part drama on two consecutive Sundays. It had a premiere date of January 8, 1967 under the title “Willie and the Yank.“ The film’s theatrical release was later that year under the title “Mosby’s Marauders.”
The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band (1968)
Based on a biography by Laura Bower Van Nuys, “The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band” is a live-action musical film that is directed by Michael O’Herlihy. Set against the backdrop of the 1888 presidential election, the film portrays the musically talented Bower family, American pioneers who settle in the Dakota Territory.
“The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band” stars Walter Brennan, Buddy Ebsen, Lesley Ann Warren, and John Davidson. Russell’s future partner Goldie Hawn makes her big-screen debut in a small part. The film also features original music and lyrics by Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman.
The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit (1968)
Based on the 1955 book, “The Year of the Horse” by Eric Hatch, “The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit” stars Dean Jones as Fred Bolton, an ad agency executive who comes up with an idea to have his firm buy a horse for his teenaged daughter to ride in competitive horse shows. The film also stars Diane Baker, Morey Amsterdam, Ellen Janov, Lurene Tuttle and Russell as Ronnie Gardner, Bolton’s daughter’s would-be boyfriend.
When the film was released, it was paired with the animated classic “Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day.”
Guns in the Heather (1969)
Based on the 1963 novel “Guns in the Heather,” by Lockhart Amerman, the three-part movie of the week stars Russell as a U.S. exchange student who is chased with his buddy (Patrick Dawson) by spies across Ireland to learn the secret of Boyne Castle.
The film was originally broadcast in parts on “The Wonderful World of Color” under the title “The Secret of Boyne Castle,” but was then released theatrically under the title “Guns in the Heather.” It was re-broadcast on American television in 1978 under the title “Spy-Busters.”
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969)
“The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes” was the first of three movies that featured Russell as science student Dexter Riley, who attends the fictional Medfield College. In the film, Riley receives an electric shock and becomes a human computer. He now can read and remember the contents of an encyclopedia volume in a few minutes, has superhuman mathematical talent, and can speak a language fluently after reading one textbook. The comedy also stars Cesar Romero, Joe Flynn, and William Schallert.
“The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes” was one of several films made by Disney using the setting of Medfield College, which was first used in the 1961 Disney film “The Absent-Minded Professor” and its sequel “Son of Flubber.” Both sequels to the films, “Now You See Him, Now You Don’t” and “The Strongest Man in the World,” were also set at Medfield.
If some of the locations at Medfield look familiar, it’s because the Walt Disney Studios buildings stood in for many of the locations.
The Barefoot Executive (1971)
In this “gimmick comedy” about the television ratings game, a pet chimpanzee named Raffles can predict the popularity of TV programs. “The Barefoot Executive” is an example of films produced by Disney that were made for children that included some humor that appealed to adult viewers. Projects like this were a staple of “The Wonderful World of Disney” from the late 1970s through the 1980s.
Also known as “The Rating Game,” “The Barefoot Executive” stars Joe Flynn, Wally Cox, Heather North, and John Ritter in his film debut.
Now You See Him, Now You Don’t (1972)
In the sequel to the 1969 film, “The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes,” Russell stars as a chemistry student who accidentally discovers the secret to invisibility. The comedy also stars Cesar Romero, Joe Flynn, Jim Backus, and William Windom.
“Now You See Him, Now You Don’t” has the distinction of being the first Disney film to be telecast in a two-hour time slot on NBC’s “The Wonderful World of Disney.” Up to that point, airings of Disney films had either been displayed in an edited format to fit the one-hour time slot or split into two one-hour episodes airing over two consecutive weekends.
Charley and the Angel (1973)
Based on the 1971 novel “The Golden Evenings of Summer” by Will Stanton, workaholic family man Charley (Fred MacMurray) attempts to correct the strained relationship he has with his wife (Cloris Leachman) and children after an angel tells him that his “number is up” and will be dying soon. Russell plays Ray, an untrusting young man who wants to elope with Charley’s teenage daughter Leonora (Kathleen Cody).
“Charley and the Angel” would be MacMurray’s final film for Disney. Directed by Vincent McEveety, the film also stars Harry Morgan, Vincent Van Patten, and George Lindsey. Leachman was recognized for her work in the film by her peers and was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Musical/Comedy.
Superdad (1973)
Charlie McCready (Bob Crane) tries to help guide his daughter Wendy (Kathleen Cody) away from her friends who he thinks are unmotivated, and especially disapproves of her boyfriend, Bart (Russell).
“Superdad” also stars Barbara Rush, Joe Flynn, Dick Van Patten, and in his motion picture debut, Bruno Kirby, who is credited on screen as B. Kirby, Jr. After its theatrical run, the film made an appearance on an episode of “The Wonderful World of Disney.”
The Strongest Man in the World (1975)
In Russell’s final film for Disney under his 10-year contract, science student Dexter Riley eats a bowl of cereal accidentally containing a chemical compound he has been working on. He develops superhuman strength, which he mistakenly attributes to a vitamin formula devised by a fellow student.
The film stars Joe Flynn, Eve Arden, Cesar Romero, Dick Van Patten, and Phil Silvers.
The Fox and the Hound (1981)
Although not produced under his 10-year contract with the Walt Disney Studios, we’re including “The Fox and the Hound” as an honorable mention. In the film, a pet fox named Tod, and Copper, a hound puppy, vow to be best buddies forever. As Copper grows into a hunting dog, their bond faces challenges that may end their friendship forever.
The animated classic features the voice talents of Russell as Copper, and Mickey Rooney as his best friend Tod. The film also includes Pearl Bailey, Jack Albertson, Sandy Duncan, Jeanette Nolan, Pat Buttram, Paul Winchell, and Corey Feldman.
“The Fox and the Hound” would be the last film that included Disney’s Nine Old Men in the film’s production. Before completion of the film, the new generation of filmmakers would rise to the occasion and provide animation, which included John Lasseter, John Musker, Ron Clements, Glen Keane, Tim Burton, Brad Bird, Henry Selick, Chris Buck, Mike Gabriel, and Mark Dindal.
Kurt Russell and a Final Note from Walt Disney
In 1966, Walt Disney wrote “Kirt Russell” on a piece of paper (Disney spelled his first name with the letter “i” instead of a “u”). It’s been thought to be Disney’s final words; however, that hasn’t been substantiated as the date and time of it being penned isn’t known.
Russell made a statement about the note for the 1999 biography “Remembering Walt.” “I was shooting a close-up and noticed there was some hubbub going on off camera. Then everybody went quiet. They were looking at me and I thought, ‘What the hell’s this?’ This guy came over to me and said, ‘I’m sorry to tell you this, Kurt, but Walt Disney died.’ They were all very sweet.”
Famed Disney archivist Dave Smith found the note on Walt Disney’s desk in 1970. In 1995, Smith hosted a tour of Disney’s office when it was on display at Disneyland, which was later relocated to Disney’s Hollywood Studios park in Florida, before making its way back to its original location at the Walt Disney Studios. In the clip below, Smith discusses the handwritten note during the tour.
The note is currently in the Walt Disney Studio archives.
Bonus Clip: Kurt Russell, The Osmond Brothers, and Disneyland Showtime
In 1970, Kurt Russell joined the Osmond Brothers and E.J. Peaker on a musical odyssey though Disneyland that featured many attractions from a bygone era. “Disneyland Showtime,” an episode for NBC’s “The Wonderful World of Disney,” also features “The Haunted Mansion,” the park’s newest attraction at the time.
Let’s go back in time and journey through Disneyland on an adventure that features some of the best pop music from that era. Be sure to watch the show in its entirety, as you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look and glimpse into Disneyland’s groundbreaking spooky attraction.
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Let’s Hear From You
Kurt Russell fans, let’s hear from you! Did you know that Kurt had such a long Disney career? What’s your favorite of the list? Looking forward to your comments.
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