Jim On Film
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Remake Wonderland

In the past decade, Disney has taken to remaking some of the most beloved titles in their company’s history. The Absent-Minded Professor, The Parent Trap, That Darn Cat!, Freaky Friday, and a host of other Disney films have all been subjected to remakes that appeared in theaters, on television, or both. These versions were attempts to financially capitalize on the name recognition of the original title, and when all was said and done, they failed to top the tops. And while some of them found financial success, others are destined to be obscure dust-collectors in the Disney vaults.

As I’ve said before, this trend is too bad considering all the wonderful new stories there are to tell. But it is also a shame because it ignores a number of Disney films that need remakes, films that hold a cornucopia of potential that were never fully realized or, in some cases, could be realized differently.

One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)--I have always considered One Hundred and One Dalmatians to be one of the best of the Disney animated features. There never was a true need to remake this film, and while I enjoyed both of the live-action 101 Dalmatians films, I always felt that they took the wrong approach. The live-action remake based itself on the original film, but it really should have been based more closely on Dodie Smith’s original book. The animated version is an inventive adaptation of the novel, probably the best possible adaptation to the animated medium; however, the book would have made an ideal source for the live-action version of the story. It is one of those wonderful books for children where it is written with heart, warmth, and mature wit. Even though it’s been a while since I’ve read the book, it still cries out for a new version.

The Sword in the Stone (1963)--While probably one of Disney’s least satisfying animated features, The Sword in the Stone comes from great source material. The Arthurian legends could use a stronger Disney adaptation, whether animated or live-action, focusing on his youth or his adulthood. And while there is a version in the works at Disney, it is not intended for family audiences. The Sword in the Stone is fine enough for what it sets out to be, but Disney is capable of doing more with this material for its core audience.

The Moon-Spinners (1964)--I love this movie. The first time I saw it, I found myself pulled into the beautiful mythology of the countryside and the edge-of-your-seat suspense. Hayley Mills, as always, is wonderful, as is Peter McEnry, Eli Wallach, Irene Papas, Joan Greenwood, and Pola Negri. Best of all, this film was the doorway for me to the wonderful literature of Mary Stewart, the woman who wrote the original novel that served as a basis for the movie. Mary Stewart is best known for writing in three different styles of fiction, including the best of the best of mystery/suspense fiction. Her novels, such as Nine Coaches Waiting, Airs Above the Ground, and This Rough Magic, are the most suspenseful I’ve ever read, all written with her flair for storytelling with poetic prose. In each of these novels, the reader hits the point of no return, where you cannot set the book down and must continue reading until the end. The book does share some similarities with the movie, but it is even more suspenseful, and it would make a great new film, provided the filmmakers stuck closely with the original source material.

Snowball Express (1972)--It’s been a long time since I saw Snowball Express. Of course, it’s part of the Disney live-action films from the 1970s, where it fell victim to mediocre writing, mediocre direction, bad special effects, and chase scenes . . . lots of chase scenes. Despite the presence of some of Disney’s greatest actors--Dean Jones, Nancy Olson, Harry Morgan, and Keenan Wynn--Snowball Express takes a great idea and drives it into mediocrity with a laughless script and overused formula. The concept of a family who moves to run a hotel that turns out to be dilapidated and in need of repair is the perfect opportunity for what could have been one of Disney’s great comedies, while reaffirming the bonds of family. It’s a great idea. It’s just the execution that fails. Disney needs to remake this film and remake it right.