When you think of a Disney film, what comes to mind? Do you think of their most recent remakes of classic animated features, or do you think back to a simpler time and picture princesses, adventures, and talking animals? Since they first began, Disney has been producing classic after classic, but after producing so many hits, it’s possible to forget some of their earlier work.
Disney became a household name by making their hits early on, but some have just been lumped to the wayside over time. So today, we’re going to look at some of Disney’s earlier forgotten work. Here are 10 Disney movies from before the 80s you didn’t know they made.
Fun and Fancy-Free
If you’ve never heard of this movie, chances are you’ve already seen the second half of it without knowing. If you’ve ever seen Mickey and the Beanstalk, you’ve seen the more famous portion of the film. The rest is…. odd, to say the least.
Hosted by Jiminy Cricket, the film was one of Disney’s package-films and featured two shorts narrated by Dinah Shore and Edgar Bergen—assisted by his puppet companions, as well. Essentially it’s Jiminy wandering through someone’s house before crashing a party with a little girl and a ventriloquist. It’s weird but gives us a great Mickey adventure.
The Parent Trap
Long before Lindsay Lohan made her iconic version, the original Disney classic was headed by Haley Mills. In a dual role, Mills portrays Sharon and Susan, two twins separated shortly after birth. Following a similar plot to the 1998 remake, the two switch places and try to get their parents back together again.
The 1961 original makes our list simply because it’s been living in the shadow of its remake, more than likely thanks to Lohan’s star power. We highly recommend checking this one out, if not for Haley Mills’s adorable performance, for the song “Let’s Get Together.”
The Black Hole
This is a Disney cult classic that has fans divided amongst themselves. If looked at as an original concept, it falls flat on its face. But, if one considers it Disney’s tribute to Star Wars, Lost in Space, and 2001: a Space Odyssey, it’s a modest success.
The Black Hole is one of those movies that just has to be seen to be believed. A crew of space travelers encounters a mad scientist at an abandoned space station populated by robots and zombified humanoids on the edge of the titular black hole. It’s a serious case of space-age strangeness that has to be watched.
Gus
Sometimes the most ridiculous concept can make for an entertaining movie. Disney’s animal pictures have been a gold mine for entertainment, but Gus is certainly one of the strangest. Gus is a mule who can kick a football 17 yards as part of a struggling team’s halftime show. The team’s owner puts the mule on board and antics ensue.
If not for Gus, the film’s comedic performances from the likes of Don Knotts, Tim Conway, and Tom Bosley are enough to warrant at least one viewing. It’s a favorite amongst fans of a certain age and definitely gets our seal of approval. The plot might be silly, but the performances are easily laugh-worthy.
Swiss Family Robinson
Most modern audiences might only know this title from its attraction at the Disney Parks, but the Swiss Family Robinson is more than just a title for an elaborate treehouse. Based loosely on the 1812 novel of the same name, the film is full of adventure, peril, and excitement anyone can enjoy.
Shipwrecked on a deserted island, the Robinsons band together and use their wits and resourcefulness to survive the elements. Through a menagerie of wild animals and a shipload of pirates in the mix and you’ve got a recipe for adventure. If you haven’t seen this film, you’re truly missing out on one of Disney’s best live-action features.
Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier
If you don’t know his movie, you certainly know his theme song. Headed by the legendary Fess Parker as the even more legendary King of the Wild Frontier, Davy Crockett was one of Disney’s biggest titles in the 40s and 50s.
Essentially a film version of Disney’s TV show of the same name, the movie is a highly romanticized incarnation of the famous pioneer, but still as entertaining as any western. With shootouts, wild beasts, and Davy performing other feats of adventure and manliness, it might not be the most accurate depiction, but it makes for a fun time nonetheless.
That Darn Cat
What do two hostile criminals, a terrified hostage at gunpoint, a case full of stolen cash, and a wily Siamese cat have in common? They make up the plot for Disney’s That Darn Cat. Don’t let the title or feline star fool you; this is much more than your average animal act. With FBI agents, a captivating race against the clock and a slew of comical side characters, what more do you need?
This is without a doubt an underrated Disney classic. Led by Haley Mills and Dean Jones, That Darn Cat has all the thrills of a detective story but all the heart of Disney. Tune in for a purrfect family flick.
The Love Bug Films
Because why wouldn’t you want a living car? Before Lightning McQueen was burning rubber for Disney, we had Herbie the Love Bug. This plucky little Volkswagen was the star of the Love Bug series of films that became a Disney staple in the 60s and 70s.
Definitely a product of the times, the Love Bug series still has a very Disney quality to its plots. Along with the titular car, you can enjoy performances from Dean Jones, Buddy Hackett, and even Don Knotts. With stellar stunt racing, loveable characters, and campy humor worthy of a Batman episode, we highly recommend taking a ride with Herbie.
The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh
We’re kind of cheating because this is technically a mini-series, but so was Davy Crockett. You’ve probably never heard of The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh, but it’s something you wouldn’t think came from Disney. By day, Dr. Syn is a country preacher from Romney Marsh. At night, he dawns the mask of the Scarecrow, a wanted smuggler who harbors goods for the over-taxed peasant folk.
With spies, hangings, masked marauders, and the creepiest theme song ever written by Disney, The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh is a hidden gem if there ever was one. If you can find a copy, hold on to it for dear life. Full of mystery and midnight rides, this saga needs a BluRay release.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
If you can believe it, one of the greatest films of the sci-fi genre came from Walt Disney himself. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was the studio’s adaptation of Jules Verne’s classic novel, and it stands apart from the studio’s other films. Aside from the spectacular performances, the mind-blowing effects, and the undersea adventure, this is one of the few Disney films with adult audiences in mind.
We’re not saying children won’t find it entertaining, but, apart from one sea shanty and one comedic character, there isn’t much stereotypical Disney phenomenon in this film. That being said, it’s still a whale of a tale no one should be without.
