Swiss Family Robinson (1940 film)
| Swiss Family Robinson | |
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Film poster
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| Directed by | Edward Ludwig |
| Produced by |
C. Graham Baker Gene Towne |
| Written by |
C. Graham Baker Walter Ferris Gene Towne Johann David Wyss (novel) |
| Starring |
Thomas Mitchell Edna Best Freddie Bartholomew Terry Kilburn Tim Holt |
| Music by | Anthony Collins |
| Cinematography | Nicholas Musuraca |
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Production
company |
The Play's The Thing Productions
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| Distributed by | RKO Radio Pictures |
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Release date
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Running time
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92 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $681,000 |
| Box office | $890,000 |
Swiss Family Robinson is a 1940 American film released by RKO Radio Pictures and directed by Edward Ludwig. It is based on the novel The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss and is the first feature-length film version of the story.
In London in 1813, a Swiss father, William Robinson (Thomas Mitchell), wishes to escape the influence of the superficial profligacy of London on his family. His eldest son, Fritz (Tim Holt), is obsessed with Napoleon, whom he considers his hero. His middle son, Jack (Freddie Bartholomew), is a foolish dandy who cares only about fashion and money. And his dreamy son Ernest (Terry Kilburn) is preoccupied with reading and writing to the exclusion of all else.
William Robinson sells his business and house, in order to move with his wife and four sons to Australia. They set out on a brig bound for the faraway country. Following a long voyage, the family is shipwrecked on a remote deserted island after the captain and crew are washed overboard during a storm.
The family members collaborate to create a home for themselves in the alien jungle environment. They gradually learn to use the unfamiliar plants and animals to create what they need to live and thrive. They have many adventures and challenges and make many discoveries. The mother (Edna Best), however, misses her elegant home and community in England, and wishes to somehow be rescued and return. The father slowly convinces her that living in the natural environment is better for the family and that they are meant to be there.
The producers specialised in making films based on public domain texts.
Tim Holt was the first star assigned. Freddie Bartholomew and Terry Kilburn were borrowed from MGM. This was the first feature-length film with a performance by Orson Welles, who went uncredited as the story’s narrator.
A version running 108 minutes (15 minutes longer than the generally available print) is also screened occasionally.
The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Special Effects (Vernon L. Walker, John O. Aalberg).
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