The Light in the Forest ** (1958, Fess Parker, Wendell Corey, Joanne Dru, James MacArthur, Carol Lynley, Jessica Tandy, Joseph Calleia, John McIntire) – Classic Movie Review 8930

Director Herschel Daugherty’s earnest 1958 adventure movie The Light in the Forest tells an unsurprising Disney tale about Johnny Butler, a white boy who is abducted by Indians as a baby and brought up in their ways. When a peace treaty is signed in 1764, he is taken back by his real parents as a teenager, and finds adjustment difficult.

Unfortunately, Walt Disney Productions and screen-writer Lawrence Edward Watkin do nothing to address the real issues of the often told story, taken from Conrad Richter’s novel, and varnish everything in lashings of sentimentality and morality. But James MacArthur pleases as the teenage boy, Carol Lynley makes a notable movie debut as Shenandoe, there is a very good cast of adults – including Jessica Tandy, Wendell Corey, Fess Parker, Joanne Dru, Joseph Calleia and John McIntire – and it is entertaining and good hearted enough for younger children.

Also in the cast are Rafael Campos, Frank Ferguson, Dean Fredericks, Marian Seldes, Stephen Bekassy and Sam Buffington.

The Light in the Forest is directed by Herschel Daugherty, runs 93 minutes, is made by Walt Disney Productions, is released by Buena Vista Film Distribution Company (1958) (US), is written by Lawrence Edward Watkin, based on Conrad Richter’s novel, is shot in Technicolor by Ellsworth Fredericks, is produced by Walt Disney, is scored by Paul Smith and is designed by Carroll Clark.

RIP Carol Lynley, star of Blue Denim (1959), Return to Peyton Place (1961), Bunny Lake Is Missing (1965), The Poseidon Adventure (1972), and The Cat and the Canary (1978), who died at the age of 77 on 3 September 2019. She holds the distinction of being a Golden Globe nominee twice as Most Promising Newcomer – Female – for The Light in the Forest (1958) and Blue Denim (1959).

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8930

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