In Search of the Castaways (1962)

In 19th century England, young Mary Grant and her brother, Robert, embark on a dangerous quest to find their missing father, a sea captain who vanished somewhere along the Chilean coast.

Director:

Robert Stevenson

Writer:

Lowell S. Hawley (screenplay)

Stars:

Hayley Mills, Maurice Chevalier, George Sanders

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Maurice Chevalier	...	Jacques Paganel
Hayley Mills	...	Mary Grant
George Sanders	...	Thomas Ayerton
Wilfrid Hyde-White	...	Lord Glenarvan (as Wilfrid Hyde White)
Michael Anderson Jr.	...	John Glenarvan (as Michael Anderson Jnr.)
Antonio Cifariello	...	Chief Thalcave
Keith Hamshere	...	Robert Grant
Wilfrid Brambell	...	Bill Gaye
Jack Gwillim	...	Captain Grant
Ronald Fraser	...	Guard at Dockyard Gate
Norman Bird	...	Senior Yacht Guard
George Murcell	...	Ayerton's Assistant
Inia Te Wiata	...	Maori Chief (as Inia Wiata)
Mark Dignam	...	Rich Man at Yacht Party
Michael Wynne	...	Crooked Sailor

Storyline

An earthquake, a flash flood, an avalanche, a volcano, alligators, jaguars, mutineers, and a man-eating Maoris dog the steps of a shipping company owner, a scientist, and the two children of a lost sea captain as they circle the earth along the 37th parallel per instructions in a bottled note the scientist has recovered from a shark's stomach. Only certain facts are discerned from the stained note, especially the words "37 parallel." Teen-age Mary Grant (Hayley Mills), her younger brother, Robert Keith Hamshere, and the scientist, French Professor Jacques Paganel (Maurice Chevalier), trick their way aboard the grand yacht, "Persevero," during a bon-voyage party to see the owner of the shipping company, Lord Edward Glenarvan (Wilfrid Hyde-White), the epitome of British aloofness. With the urging of his own son, John (Michael Anderson Jr.), Glenarvan's luxurious side-wheeler sets sail for the coastal town of Concepcion, Chile in the search for the missing Captain Grant.

---

Plot Keywords:

intergenerational friendship | biblical quote | english | insanity | dry riverbed | 

---

Taglines:

A Thousand Thrills, And Hayley Mills!

---

Genres:

Adventure | Family | Fantasy

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Official Sites:

Disney's Official Site

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

21 December 1962 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Search for the Castaways

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Box Office

Gross USA:

$21,745,500

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The location where the castaways were marooned in the Ombu Tree was latitude 37 degrees south - longitude 66 degrees west.

---

Goofs

When Mary is pulled out of the snow, the snow on her face disappears and reappears between shots.

---

Quotes

Jacques Paganel: [sung] Why cry about bad weather? Enjoy it! Each moment is a treasure. Enjoy it! We're travelers on life's highway, enjoy the trip. Each lovely twist and byway, each bump and dip. If there's a complication, enjoy it! You've got imagination, employ it. And you'll see roses in the snow, joie de vivre will make them grow. Voila, that's life, enjoy it! Since I must do the cooking, I'll enjoy it. This ombu tree smells gorgeous, you'll enjoy it. A hurricane comes your way, enjoy the breeze! You're ...
[...]

---

Connections

Referenced in The Parent Trap II (1986)

---

Soundtracks

The Castaways Theme
(uncredited)
Written by Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman
Sung by Hayley Mills and accompanied on guitar by Michael Anderson Jr.

User Reviews

Full-blown and exciting adventures based on Julio Verne novel

A journey looking for captain Grant (Jack Gwillim) is realized by a teenage girl Hayley Mills (Pollyanna), her little boy brother along with two veterans (Wilfrid Hyde White and singer Maurice Chevalier) and a young man (Michael Anderson Jr.) . During the long travel they find natural disasters as earthquake in the Andes , fire and flood in the ocean and volcano in New Zealand and they attempt to overcome . Besides they encounter different tribes as Araucans (an Indian chief played by Antonio Cifariello ), Patagons (Argentina) and Maoris (New Zealand).

The picture contains adventures , humor , emotion , songs , stirring action and sensational outdoors . The film displays some scenes have you on the edge of your seat as the amusing images when the protagonists sledge over floe . Excellent , powerful cast with sympathetic Hayley Mills and Maurice Chevalier and with the cynic George Sanders . Colorful cinematography reflecting marvellous landscapes by Paul Beeson . Lively and evocative music by Willyam Alwyn . Abounds matte painting and special effects by the Disney specialist Peter Ellenshaw . It's a winning Disney effort made by its usual director Robert Stevenson (Herbie , gnome mobile , Mary Poppins) . It's a must for the Disney fans but is beautifully released , being recommendable for all family and especially for little boys public . Rating : Good and entertaining.