GREYFRIARS BOBBY
UK, 1960, 91 minutes, Colour.
Donald Crisp, Laurence Naismith, Alexander Mackenzie, Kay Walsh, Andrew Cruickshank, Vincent Winter, Moultrie Kelsall, Duncan Macrae.
Directed by Don Chaffey.
Greyfriars Bobby is one of several Disney British productions. It was directed by Don Chaffey who directed The Three Lives of Thomasina and the two Australian Disney films of the '70s: Born to Run, Ride a Wild Pony.
This charming film certainly has the Scottish touch and burr in accents. It based on a true story from Edinburgh in the 1860s the fidelity of a dog to its old master and keeping watch at his grave despite the wrangling between a cafe owner and the caretaker of the cemetery. The children of Edinburgh come to his rescue. The film is a blend of charm and sentiment.
With an authentic Scottish atmosphere and location photography, the film has two veteran actors as its stars: Donald Crisp (who also does the narration) and Laurence Naismith. Duncan Macrae and Vincent Winter (who appeared in The Kidnappers) are in the supporting cast as is Gordon Jackson.
A pleasing dog story - with appeal to family audiences as well as dog lovers.
1. A gentle Scottish tale? For the family audience? The popularity of period stories, Scottish stories, dog stories?
2. The location photography - the mountains and hills of Scotland, Edinburgh in the 1860s, the streets, the churches, the cafes, the cemetery, the court house? The musical score and its atmosphere?
3. The focus on the title and the dog - the opening and the farming scenes, Old Jock having to leave the farm, the pet dog Bobby attached to the old man, going into town after him, locating Old Jock, present when he dies, always going to Mr. Trail's inn at midday, going to the cemetery, present at the grave, sleeping on Old Jock's grave, Mr. Brown being strict about the rules of the cemetery, ousting Bobby so often, Bobby's return and Mr. Brown)'s mellowing, the care by Mr. Trail from the cafe, the poor urchins who play with Bobby? The constable taking Bobby to the pound, the law in his not having a collar, the two men refusing to pay the money, the court case, the children making the collection to raise the money for Bobby's collar, the Lord Provost of the city giving Bobby the freedom of the city, making him city property, Bobby free and his return to the cemetery? The tradition of Bobby and his statue?
4. The characters of Mr. Brown and Mr. Trail? Mr. Brown and his crustiness, the letters of the law about cemetery regulations, his ousting the dog, the cantankerous attitude towards Mr. Trail, his wife's wanting to have the dog in household and caring for it? The impounding of the dog? Mr. Brown's severe attitude, his gradual mellowing, refusal to pay the money, the court case, the happy ending and his having the dog in the cemetery? The contrast with the friendlier Mr. Trail, his concern about Old Jock, sorrow at his death, care for the dog, the clash with Mr Brown? The court case and Mr Trail's principles? The happy resolution?
5. The children of Edinburgh, their playing with the dog, their way of life, the clash with the constable, their decision to raise the money, the urgency, their success, invading the courtroom?
6. The background characters: the atmosphere, of the farm, the farmer and his wife, their children, the attachment to the dog, having to let Old Jock go? old Jock and audience sympathy for him, his regular visit to the cafe, his going to the boarding house, the sadness of his death, his funeral? The constable and his starchy attitudes, the letter of the law? The magistrate and the hearing of the case? The Lord Provost of Edinburgh and the freedom of the city? An entertaining gallery of Scottish characters?
7. The popularity of dog stories - man's best friend? A film of warmth and humane values?
