Lately, Disney has been full-force remaking many of their animated features into live action films. Just this year alone has seen Dumbo, Aladdin, and The Lion King, with another Maleficent movie due out in October, Lady and the Tramp in December, and Mulan early next year. Although many of these movies are high quality and entertaining, it makes me very nostalgic for the live-action quirky movies of my youth, back in the days when movies would be re-released in the theaters every couple of years to introduce them to a new audience. Now we have access to most of these entertaining films on DVD or via streaming, and I’m hopeful that the new Disney Plus streaming platform will include some of these gems. Otherwise, you can purchase many of them or watch via DVD Netflix (yes, it still exists and we continue to be happy members of this service).
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Darby O’Gill and the Little People (1959)
Sean Connery! Catchy Tunes! This one has been a family favorite for years. Premise: A wily old codger matches wits with the King of the Leprechauns and helps play matchmaker for his daughter and the strapping lad who has replaced him as caretaker. This one is from 1959, so I cheated a little bit, but it’s very entertaining and worth watching.
The Apple Dumpling Gang (1975)
I first saw this movie in the theaters when it was released in 1975, and it is as hilarious now as it was then. Don Knotts and Tim Conway are at their slapstick finest, and the kids just add to the fun. Premise: A roving bachelor (Bill Bixby) inherits three young orphans and a wealth of problems. When the youngsters stumble upon a huge golden nugget, they must fend off the greedy townspeople. So the kids join forces with the bumbling outlaws to stage a robbery of the gold. Little do they know a surly gang of sharpshooters plans to beat them to the draw!Â
Candleshoe (1977)
Two movies on my favorites list star Jodie Foster, and this one from 1977 evokes fond memories. She plays a young girl who lives on the streets who is recruited to help a con artist find treasure supposedly hidden in an elderly lady’s house. I liked the adventure and fun of this movie, which appealed to my young self.
Freaky Friday (1976)
Although this movie has been remade a few times (and decently too), I have an extreme fondness for this original. I read the Mary Rodgers book and watched this movie many times. Most people are familiar with the premise–a mother and her teen daughter are constantly fighting and end up swapping bodies and have to experience each other’s lives.
Escape to Witch Mountain (1975)
Another movie that I was absolutely in love with. I saw this movie and its sequels so many times in the theaters. I wanted to find a hidden map so badly, I actually searched for one for a long time. Premise: Two orphan children have strange powers and are being chased by a rich man. They escape from the man and befriend a guy with a motor home and he helps them go where they need to go. The sequel and the 2009 Race to Witch Mountain are equally exciting and fun.
The Parent Trap (1961)
This is another one that has been decently remade, but my fondness still remains with the original–a set of twins, separated at birth, one living with their father and one with their mother, meet up at summer camp and scheme to switch places. Hayley Mills is amazing in this movie and so endearing.
The Love Bug (1968)
The introduction to Herbie, the VW Bug with a mind and personality of its own. Has spawned many sequels, but again, this original is just plain funny and a great adventure. Starring Dean Jones and Michele Lee, this is a quintessential Disney movie.
The Watcher in the Woods (1980)
I recently saw this movie again and must admit, that it’s totally as creepy today as it was for me when I originally saw it in the theater. Premise: When a family moves to a country home, the young girls experience strange happenings that have a link to an occult event years past. This movie stars Bette Davis and Lynn-Holly Johnson (Ice Castles) and has an incredibly original plot and special effects that are ahead of their time for the 80s.
Do you have any nostalgic live-action Disney favorites? Have you seen any of the above?
Lots of oldies but goodies mentioned here! Thanks so much for posting them!
OMG! The Apple Dumpling Gang – I so so so loved that movie as a kid. I remember my Dad took me 2x and would not a 3rd so my uncle took me 2 more times. I saw it 4x in the theater and can still taste the grape licorice I asked for each time I went. Great memories, thanks!
I love , love, love these oldies. Did you know you can usually access them through your local library using an app called Hoopla? Nothing better than classics & free 🙂
Good to know! I use Hoopla for audio books all the time and forgot I could use it for movies.
Nice list! We recently introduced my daughter to Bedknobs and Broomsticks and she loved it! We tried with The Parent Trap, but she wasn’t into the original after watching the new version.
That’s a fun one also. It does get a little long at some points, but I do like it.
My favorite was parent trap. I watched it every time I was sick when I was a kid. It holds a special place in my heart!
Always loved the Little People movie! Your list brought with it such memories 🙂
I’m so embarrassed to say I’ve not seen any of these, more of the remakes, but I am a 90’s baby. I should probably educate myself!
Definitely check some out, they are worth a chuckle!
Oh my goodness The Love Bug! Such an amazing movie!!
Wow, you just took me back! I remember when Freaky Friday came out. I haven’t seen several of these movies. Sounds like a good thing for winter!
What great memories all of those bring back!
I haven’t seen these movies in years and years! I watched The Parent Trap so many time when I was a kid!
Some of those bring back such good memories!
Yes, yes, yes!!! Every single one of these. I’ve tried to get my kids to watch them, but they are such irreverent teens (LOL). They just rin the nostalgia for me. Thanks for pulling this up for me!
These films bring back happy memories! I grew up with these.
The Watcher in the Woods always used to scare the crud out of me!
This reminds me of when we first got the Disney Channel when I was in elementary school in the early 1980s. They showed these movies, and older, all the time. My presents even recorded them on our VCR so we could watch them anytime. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to watch them, and in some cases, memorize them!
I can remember when my aunt took me to see Escape to Witch Mountain….it’s one of my earliest memories of going to the movies.
I’m really showing my age here… I’ve not seen a single one of these origin movies. I recognize a few of these titles but I am an 80’s baby. I’m sure it’s pretty interesting though to see the difference between the old and new movies. Neat article.
Oh this post brought back sooo many memories! I saw The Apple Dumpling Gang in the movie theater!
Candleshoe is one of my favorite movies of all time. I recently showed it to my grown kids and they loved it too! I also have very strong memories of sitting in a theater and watching Apple Dumpling Gang with my grandparents. Good movies, good memories.
Recently I asked a group of Disney folks if they remember Darby O’Gill and the Little People because I had not seen it heard much about it in a long time. I admit that when I saw your article title, I scrolled down to see if you had this movie on your list. 😉
It’s a great one and I can’t believe how many people haven’t heard of it!