In Search of the Castaways (film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids In Search of the Castaways |
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Film poster
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| Directed by | Robert Stevenson |
| Produced by | Associate Producer: Hugh Attwooll |
| Written by | Lowell S. Hawley |
| Starring | Hayley Mills Maurice Chevalier George Sanders Wilfrid Hyde-White Keith Hamshere Jack Gwillim Wilfrid Brambell |
| Music by | Music Composed by: William Alwyn Musical Director: Muir Mathieson Songs: Richard Sherman Robert Sherman |
| Cinematography | Paul Beeson |
| Editing by | Gordon Stone |
| Studio | Walt Disney Productions |
| Distributed by | Buena Vista Distribution |
| Release date(s) | November 14, 1962 (London, premiere) December 19, 1962 (US) |
| Running time | 98 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Money made | $21,745,500 |
In Search of the Castaways is an exciting adventure film from 1962. It was made by Walt Disney Productions. The movie stars Hayley Mills and Maurice Chevalier. It tells the story of a big search around the world. They are looking for a sea captain who was shipwrecked.
The film was directed by Robert Stevenson. The story was written by Lowell S. Hawley. It is based on a famous adventure novel. The book is called Captain Grant's Children. It was written by Jules Verne in 1868. This movie was Hayley Mills' third film for Disney. She made six movies with the studio in total.
Contents
The Exciting Story of the Castaways
The adventure begins in 19th-century Britain. Professor Paganel (Maurice Chevalier) is a French geography expert. He finds a bottle with a message inside. He believes it was written by Captain John Grant (Jack Gwillim). Captain Grant is missing at sea.
Professor Paganel meets Captain Grant's two children, Mary (Hayley Mills) and Robert (Keith Hamshere). Together, they ask Lord Glenarvan (Wilfrid Hyde-White) for help. Lord Glenarvan is a rich shipping owner. He owned Captain Grant's ship. He agrees to pay for a search trip.
The group sets sail on a long journey. They travel halfway around the world to South America. In the Andes mountains, an earthquake causes trouble. They slide down a mountain on a glacier. A huge condor bird grabs Robert! Luckily, Thalcave (Antonio Cifariello), an Indian chief, saves him. Thalcave says he knows where Captain Grant is.
After surviving a big wave and a lightning storm, they learn Thalcave was mistaken. He meant well, but Captain Grant was not there. During their travels, Mary Grant and John Glenarvan (Michael Anderson, Jr.) start to like each other. John is Lord Glenarvan's son.
Next, they head to Australia. Professor Paganel is sure Captain Grant is there. In Melbourne, they meet a dangerous man named Thomas Ayerton (George Sanders). He sells weapons illegally. Ayerton shows them proof that Captain Grant is in New Zealand. The search party does not know that Ayerton was a bad guy. He caused a mutiny on Captain Grant's ship before.
They sail again, but Ayerton causes another mutiny. He leaves the group stranded. Maori cannibals capture them. They are put in prison with Bill Gaye (Wilfrid Brambell). Bill was Captain Grant’s shipmate. He helps them escape to a volcano. They get away from their pursuers by causing an avalanche. This also makes the volcano erupt!
Finally, they find Captain Grant. They defeat Ayerton and his mutineers. Then, they all sail home. Everyone is talking about the note Professor Paganel found. Captain Grant says he never wrote it. Bill Gaye then admits he copied Captain Grant's handwriting. He wrote the note himself to start the search! In the end, Professor Paganel sees John and Mary looking at the stars. It is clear they have fallen in love.
Meet the Cast and Characters
Here are some of the main actors and the characters they play:
- Hayley Mills as Mary Grant: A brave teenager searching for her father.
- Maurice Chevalier as Jacques Paganel: A smart French professor who finds the clue.
- George Sanders as Thomas Ayerton: A tricky and dangerous man.
- Wilfrid Hyde-White as Lord Glenarvan: The wealthy ship owner who helps fund the search.
- Michael Anderson, Jr. as John Glenarvan: Lord Glenarvan's son, who joins the adventure.
- Keith Hamshere as Robert Grant: Mary's younger brother, also looking for their father.
- Wilfrid Brambell as Bill Gaye: Captain Grant's shipmate, who helps the group.
- Jack Gwillim as Captain Grant: The missing sea captain they are trying to find.
Songs from the Movie
The film features several songs. They were written by the famous Sherman Brothers. They wrote many popular songs for Disney movies. The songs in this film include:
- "Castaway"
- "Merci Beaucoup"
- "Let's Climb (Grimpons)"
- "Enjoy It"
The song "Castaway" is also used as the film's main music at the beginning. Later, Maurice Chevalier sang another song by the Sherman Brothers. It was the theme song for Disney's 1970 animated film The Aristocats.
Awards and Recognition
In Search of the Castaways received some recognition. In 1963, Maurice Chevalier placed third for his musical performance. This was at the Golden Laurel awards. The film was also nominated for the Golden Laurel Top Action Drama award.
Other Versions of the Story
The story of Captain Grant's children is very popular. Jules Verne's novel has been made into other films. There were two Russian film versions. One was made in 1936 and another in 1985. There was also a Spanish operetta, which is like a light opera.
