Toon Talk Special: Disney Live Action Actors
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VillainsYou can't have heroes without a few villains.
In a far cry from his beloved Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, Ray Bolger took on the dastardly Barnaby in the 1961 musical fantasy Babes in Toyland. Whether serenading Annette Funicello about his "Castle in Spain" or dueling Tommy Sands, he was comically wicked.
Tony Award-winner Jim Dale brought his sinister flamboyance to Dr. Terminus in another musical fantasy, Pete's Dragon. He could also been seen in Hot Lead & Cold Feet (in three roles) and in The Unidentified Flying Oddball.
Film veteran James Mason played the "misunderstood" genius Captain Nemo in the definitive film adaptation of Jules Vernes' 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. His steadfast beliefs in his own superior ideals was chilling.
In another ideal film version of a literary classic, Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island, Robert Newton's portrayal of the diabolical Long John Silver set the standard for all cinematic pirates to follow. Her returned to the role in several, non-Disney productions.
Keenan Wynn's greedy Alonzo Hawk crossed paths with Fred MacMurray in The Absent-Minded Professor and Son of Flubber and the Love Bug in Herbie Rides Again. He also appeared in Smith, Snowball Express and The Shaggy DA. Ed Wynn was his father, see below.
Young HeroesTheir age doesn't stop 'em.
Christian Bale from the Newsies
(c) Disney
"The newsies were a ragged army, without a leader ... " That leader was Christian Bale's Jack Kelly, a.k.a. Francis Sullivan, a.k.a. The Cowboy. He rallied the Newsies in this 1992 musical cult favorite. Bale also provided the voice of Thomas in Pocahontas.
Kevin Corcoran from The Swiss Family Robinson
(c) Disney
Kevin Corcoran played variations of his "Moochie" television character in Swiss Family Robinson; Old Yeller; The Shaggy Dog; Toby Tyler, or Ten Weeks with a Circus; Pollyanna; Babes in Toyland; Bon Voyage!; Savage Sam and A Tiger Walks.
Bobby Driscoll was awarded a special Oscar for his heart-breaking performance as Jeremiah "Jerry" Kincaid in So Dear To My Heart. He also appeared in two other Disney classics, as Johnny in Song of the South and as Jim Hawkins in Treasure Island. His other Disney credits include Melody Time and the voices of Peter Pan and Goofy Junior.
Tommy Kirk in Old Yeller with Dorothy McGuire
(c) Disney
Tommy Kirk was another Disney live action favorite, appearing in Swiss Family Robinson, The Shaggy Dog, The Absent-Minded Professor, Babes in Toyland, Moon Pilot, Bon Voyage!, Son of Flubber, Savage Sam, The Misadventures of Merlin Jones and The Monkey's Uncle. His finest performance was as Travis Coates in Old Yeller. Who could forget that climatic scene?
Nick Stahl played the young Daniel Hackett, who befriends the legendary Pecos Bill, Paul Bunyon and John Henry in the often overlooked 1995 gem Tall Tale: The Unbelievable Adventures of Pecos Bill.