Swiss Family Movie Sites Revisited - a revisit 60 years later, of filming locations used by Walt Disney in the movie

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Re: SWISS FAMILY MOVIE SITES REVISITED - a revisit 60 years later, of filming locations used by Walt Disney in the movie

Post by Jazz557 »

Swiss Family Robinson - movie making scene Francis (Kevin Corcoran) sliding down the waterfall. The slide was constructed by Disney for this scene.
Craig Hall waterfall, Moriah, Tobago
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Craig Hall waterfall, Moriah, Tobago
Craig Hall waterfall, Moriah, Tobago
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Re: SWISS FAMILY MOVIE SITES REVISITED - a revisit 60 years later, of filming locations used by Walt Disney in the movie

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Swiss Family Robinson - movie making scene - the ‘shipwreck’ being floated out to sea,
to be positioned against the rocks.

Shipwreck Bay, Belle Garden, Tobago 1959
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Shipwreck Bay, Belle Garden, Tobago
Shipwreck Bay, Belle Garden, Tobago
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Re: SWISS FAMILY MOVIE SITES REVISITED - a revisit 60 years later, of filming locations used by Walt Disney in the movie

Post by Jazz557 »

Mr Hans Boos, former curator of the Emperor Valley zoo in Port of Spain, Trinidad,
was able to confirm that Disney left a colony of 5-6 rare White-Fronted Spider monkey (Ateles belzebuth) with the zoo after filming was completed in November 1959.

The Spider monkeys bred well in captivity, but at some point the young males
killed the old dominant male (in the wild, they would have chased him off).

Sadly, in 2019, the zoo is down to just one female White-Fronted Spider monkey
from the original colony left by the Walt Disney Company.
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Swiss Family Robinson - movie making scene and movie screen capture with the juvenile White-Fronted Spider monkey (Ateles belzebuth)
Swiss Family Robinson - movie making scene and movie screen capture with the juvenile White-Fronted Spider monkey (Ateles belzebuth)
Swiss Family Robinson - behind the scenes photo and movie screen capture with the juvenile White-Fronted Spider monkey (Ateles belzebuth)
Swiss Family Robinson - behind the scenes photo and movie screen capture with the juvenile White-Fronted Spider monkey (Ateles belzebuth)
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Re: SWISS FAMILY MOVIE SITES REVISITED - a revisit 60 years later, of filming locations used by Walt Disney in the movie

Post by Jazz557 »

In the movie, the colony of adult White-Fronted Spider monkeys were featured swinging from the tree in the early stages of the treehouse building.

Since adult Spider monkeys are wild, a juvenile White-Fronted Spider monkey was used as Francis’ pet throughout the movie.
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A juvenile White-Fronted Spider monkey was used as Francis’ pet throughout the movie.
A juvenile White-Fronted Spider monkey was used as Francis’ pet throughout the movie.
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Re: SWISS FAMILY MOVIE SITES REVISITED - a revisit 60 years later, of filming locations used by Walt Disney in the movie

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The Walt Disney Company left the animal squeeze cage with the four wheel trolley (pictured below) with the local Emperor Valley zoo in Port of Spain, Trinidad. The squeeze cage and trolley is still in the zoo’s possession sixty years later!

Disney also left with the Emperor Valley zoo, a CO2 Dart Gun and a colony of 5-6 rare White-Fronted Spider monkey (Ateles belzebuth).

Sadly, in 2019, the zoo is down to just one female Spider monkey from the original colony left by Disney

Mr Hans Boos, former curator of the Emperor Valley zoo in Port of Spain, Trinidad, confirmed these gifts were given by the Walt Disney Company after the filming of Swiss Family Robinson was completed in November 1959.
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The Walt Disney Company left the animal squeeze cage with the four wheel trolley (pictured above) with the local Emperor Valley zoo in Port of Spain, Trinidad.  The squeeze cage and trolley is still in the zoo’s possession sixty years later!
The Walt Disney Company left the animal squeeze cage with the four wheel trolley (pictured above) with the local Emperor Valley zoo in Port of Spain, Trinidad. The squeeze cage and trolley is still in the zoo’s possession sixty years later!
Last edited by Jazz557 on Wed Oct 02, 2019 7:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: SWISS FAMILY MOVIE SITES REVISITED - a revisit 60 years later, of filming locations used by Walt Disney in the movie

Post by Jazz557 »

All the film footage done each day, was edited at Disney’s studio in Goodwood (above photo).

In the evening, the film was then taken to the Rex Cinema (at the corner of Milford and Wilson Road) in Scarborough, where it was reviewed by the Swiss Family Robinson production team. The film, however was always shown without sound.

The licensed cinema operators at the Rex cinema back in August 1959 were Marcus Picker and Neville Phillips with Clifford Cook assisting as a trainee operator.

SOURCE: Interview with Mr. Clifford Cook, May 2019
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All the film footage done each day, was edited at Disney’s studio in Goodwood (above photo). <br />In the evening, the film was then taken to the Rex Cinema in Scarborough, where it was reviewed by the Swiss Family Robinson production team. The film, however was always shown without sound.
All the film footage done each day, was edited at Disney’s studio in Goodwood (above photo).
In the evening, the film was then taken to the Rex Cinema in Scarborough, where it was reviewed by the Swiss Family Robinson production team. The film, however was always shown without sound.
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Re: SWISS FAMILY MOVIE SITES REVISITED - a revisit 60 years later, of filming locations used by Walt Disney in the movie

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Swiss Family Robinson - behind the scenes photo - Enjoying a Coca Cola break under the shade of an umbrella at Richmond Bay, Tobago, 1959.

At right, is Sessue Hayakawa (Kuala, the Pirate chief). At left, is one of two Japanese girls who were part of Sessue Hayakawa’s entourage. Behind, is James MacArthur (Fritz). Hanging from the umbrella is the captain’s uniform belonging to Cecil Parker, (ship's captain, Moreland).
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Swiss Family Robinson - behind the scenes photo - Enjoying a Coca Cola break under the shade of an umbrella at Richmond Bay, Tobago, 1959.
Swiss Family Robinson - behind the scenes photo - Enjoying a Coca Cola break under the shade of an umbrella at Richmond Bay, Tobago, 1959.
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Re: SWISS FAMILY MOVIE SITES REVISITED - a revisit 60 years later, of filming locations used by Walt Disney in the movie

Post by Jazz557 »

Swiss Family Robinson - behind the scenes photo and movie screen capture with the juvenile White-Fronted Spider monkey (Ateles belzebuth)

Swiss Family Robinson - behind the scenes photo - The Swiss Family Robinson defend their fort by exploding rocks onto the invading pirates as they climb the hill. These movie set ‘rocks’ were actually made of styrofoam so they were ‘exploded’ by releasing pressurized CO2 canisters under the ‘rock pile’ creating the effect of an explosion. (This photo was used in a Lobby Card - created by the film studios to publicise the movie and was intended for display outside the movie theatre in special glass display boxes).

Richmond Bay, Tobago 1959
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Swiss Family Robinson - behind the scenes photo  - The Swiss Family Robinson defend their fort by exploding rocks onto the invading pirates as they climb the hill.  Richmond Bay, Tobago 1959
Swiss Family Robinson - behind the scenes photo - The Swiss Family Robinson defend their fort by exploding rocks onto the invading pirates as they climb the hill. Richmond Bay, Tobago 1959
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Re: SWISS FAMILY MOVIE SITES REVISITED - a revisit 60 years later, of filming locations used by Walt Disney in the movie

Post by Jazz557 »

Swiss Family Robinson - Closeup of movie poster lithograph showing the scene with the Swiss Family Robinson escaping from the shipwreck using a makeshift barrel raft. Father Robinson, Fritz and Ernst are handling the oars. Mother Robinson and young Francis are seated in the barrels. The two Captain’s dogs (Duke and Turk) accompany the family.

Movie art from scene filmed at Shipwreck Bay, Belle Garden, Tobago 1959
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Movie art from scene filmed at Shipwreck Bay, Belle Garden, Tobago 1959
Movie art from scene filmed at Shipwreck Bay, Belle Garden, Tobago 1959
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Re: SWISS FAMILY MOVIE SITES REVISITED - a revisit 60 years later, of filming locations used by Walt Disney in the movie

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Swiss Family Robinson Movie scene with the Swiss Family Robinson escaping from the shipwreck using a makeshift barrel raft. The Captain’s two dogs (Duke and Turk) accompany the family.

Movie scene filmed at Shipwreck Bay, Belle Garden, Tobago 1959
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Swiss Family Robinson Movie scene with the Swiss Family Robinson escaping from the shipwreck using a makeshift barrel raft.  Movie scene filmed at Shipwreck Bay, Belle Garden, Tobago 1959
Swiss Family Robinson Movie scene with the Swiss Family Robinson escaping from the shipwreck using a makeshift barrel raft. Movie scene filmed at Shipwreck Bay, Belle Garden, Tobago 1959
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Re: SWISS FAMILY MOVIE SITES REVISITED - a revisit 60 years later, of filming locations used by Walt Disney in the movie

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Swiss Family Robinson behind the scenes photo with the Swiss Family Robinson escaping from the shipwreck using a makeshift barrel raft. The Captain’s two dogs (Duke and Turk) accompany the family.

Movie scene filmed at Shipwreck Bay, Belle Garden, Tobago 1959
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Swiss Family Robinson behind the scenes photo with the Swiss Family Robinson escaping from the shipwreck using a makeshift barrel raft.  Movie scene filmed at Shipwreck Bay, Belle Garden, Tobago 1959
Swiss Family Robinson behind the scenes photo with the Swiss Family Robinson escaping from the shipwreck using a makeshift barrel raft. Movie scene filmed at Shipwreck Bay, Belle Garden, Tobago 1959
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Re: SWISS FAMILY MOVIE SITES REVISITED - a revisit 60 years later, of filming locations used by Walt Disney in the movie

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Swiss Family Robinson 8” x 10” Lobby Card - Swiss Family Robinson escaping from the shipwreck using a makeshift barrel raft. Ernst (Tommy Kirk) is handling the oars. The Captain’s two dogs (Duke and Turk) accompany the family.

(Lobby Cards were created by the film studios to publicize their movies and were intended for display outside movie theaters in special glass display boxes).

Movie scene filmed at Shipwreck Bay, Belle Garden, Tobago 1959
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Swiss Family Robinson  8” x 10” Lobby Card - Swiss Family Robinson escaping from the shipwreck using a makeshift barrel raft.  Movie scene filmed at Shipwreck Bay, Belle Garden, Tobago 1959
Swiss Family Robinson 8” x 10” Lobby Card - Swiss Family Robinson escaping from the shipwreck using a makeshift barrel raft. Movie scene filmed at Shipwreck Bay, Belle Garden, Tobago 1959
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Re: SWISS FAMILY MOVIE SITES REVISITED - a revisit 60 years later, of filming locations used by Walt Disney in the movie

Post by Jazz557 »

:arrow: I have acquired some Swiss Family Robinson movie lobby cards depicting scenes with discernible Tobago landscapes.

I would be sharing these soon.

Your comments would be greatly appreciated ...
Thanks!
Last edited by Jazz557 on Thu Oct 24, 2019 12:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: SWISS FAMILY MOVIE SITES REVISITED - a revisit 60 years later, of filming locations used by Walt Disney in the movie

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Swiss Family Robinson Lobby Card - Pirates, led by Kuala, the pirate captain (Sessue Hayakawa), seize the merchant ship and capture Captain Moreland (Cecil Parker) and cabin boy Bertie (Janet Munro). Mt. Irvine Bay, Tobago 1959.

Sessue Hayakawa (Japan) and Andy Ho (Singapore) were the main pirate actors. The majority of the other pirates were professional stuntmen from England. However some locals were used. Mr Clifford Cook, driver for the Disney electricians (Sparks) back in 1959, remembers one of the locals who acted as a pirate - Mr George Bing of Scarborough. This information is corroborated by Mr Joseph Alfred - Crown Point Businessman. His uncle, Edward Alfred, worked as a foreman for the Hope/John Dial estate. He also transported equipment for the Disney Company using a tractor and trailer during the filming of the movie in 1959.

Lobby Cards were created by the film studios to publicize their movies and were intended for display outside movie theaters in special glass display boxes.


Mt. Irvine Bay, Tobago 1959.
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Swiss Family Robinson Lobby Card - Pirates, led by Kuala, the pirate captain (Sessue Hayakawa), seize the merchant ship and capture Captain Moreland (Cecil Parker) and cabin boy Bertie (Janet Munro).  Mt. Irvine Bay, Tobago 1959.
Swiss Family Robinson Lobby Card - Pirates, led by Kuala, the pirate captain (Sessue Hayakawa), seize the merchant ship and capture Captain Moreland (Cecil Parker) and cabin boy Bertie (Janet Munro). Mt. Irvine Bay, Tobago 1959.
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Re: SWISS FAMILY MOVIE SITES REVISITED - a revisit 60 years later, of filming locations used by Walt Disney in the movie

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Swiss Family Robinson Lobby Card - Rocky, the juvenile Asiatic elephant, is led by Francis (Kevin Cochran) to pull the canoe out to sea. Pushing the canoe, is Father Robinson (John Mills), Fritz (James MacArthur) and Ernst (Tommy Kirk). Richmond River, Richmond Bay, Tobago 1959.

Lobby Cards were created by the film studios to publicize their movies and were intended
for display outside movie theaters in special glass display boxes.

Richmond River, Richmond Bay, Tobago 1959.
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Swiss Family Robinson Lobby Card - Rocky, the juvenile Asiatic elephant, is led by Francis (Kevin Cochran) to pull the canoe out to sea.  Richmond River, Richmond Bay, Tobago 1959.
Swiss Family Robinson Lobby Card - Rocky, the juvenile Asiatic elephant, is led by Francis (Kevin Cochran) to pull the canoe out to sea. Richmond River, Richmond Bay, Tobago 1959.
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Re: SWISS FAMILY MOVIE SITES REVISITED - a revisit 60 years later, of filming locations used by Walt Disney in the movie

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Swiss Family Robinson Lobby Card - Pirates on the beach, led by Kuala, the pirate captain (Sessue Hayakawa) and Auban (Andy Ho). Mt. Irvine Bay, Tobago 1959.

(Lobby Cards were created by the film studios to publicize their movies and were intended
for display outside movie theaters in special glass display boxes).
Sessue Hayakawa (Japan) and Andy Ho (Singapore) were the main pirate actors. The majority of the other pirates were professional stuntmen from England. However some locals were used. Mr Clifford Cook, driver for the Disney electricians (Sparks) back in 1959, remembers one of the locals who acted as a pirate - Mr George Bing of Scarborough. This information is corroborated by Mr Joseph Alfred - Crown Point Businessman. His uncle, Edward Alfred, worked as a foreman for the Hope/John Dial estate. He also transported equipment for the Disney Company using a tractor and trailer during the filming of the movie in 1959.

Lobby Cards were created by the film studios to publicize their movies and were intended for display outside movie theaters in special glass display boxes.


Mt. Irvine Bay, Tobago 1959.
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Swiss Family Robinson Lobby Card - Pirates on the beach, led by Kuala, the pirate captain (Sessue Hayakawa) and Auban (Andy Ho).  Mt. Irvine Bay, Tobago 1959.
Swiss Family Robinson Lobby Card - Pirates on the beach, led by Kuala, the pirate captain (Sessue Hayakawa) and Auban (Andy Ho). Mt. Irvine Bay, Tobago 1959.
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Re: SWISS FAMILY MOVIE SITES REVISITED - a revisit 60 years later, of filming locations used by Walt Disney in the movie

Post by Jazz557 »

Sadly, Mr George Bing died earlier this year ...

I found out that two local Chinese guys from Trinidad came across to Tobago in 1959 and acted as pirates but my source couldn’t remember their names ...

Albeit late, but I am acknowledging the roles of locals in our 🇹🇹 Disney movie heritage ...

Thanks for your interest ...
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Re: SWISS FAMILY MOVIE SITES REVISITED - a revisit 60 years later, of filming locations used by Walt Disney in the movie

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Swiss Family Robinson - movie making scene - saying farewell to the Swiss family.
FRONT L to R - John Mills (Father Robinson), Dorothy Macquarie (Mother Robinson), Janet Munro (Bertha) and Cecil Parker (Captain Moreland).
BACK L to R - James MacArthur (Fritz) and Tommy Kirk (Ernst).

This is a dressed rehearsal at Richmond Bay back in 1959. The main cast is captured walking past a camera ramp with local fishing boats out in the bay.

Scene filmed at Richmond Bay, Tobago 1959.
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Swiss Family Robinson - movie making scene - saying farewell to the Swiss family. <br />Scene filmed at Richmond Bay, Tobago 1959
Swiss Family Robinson - movie making scene - saying farewell to the Swiss family.
Scene filmed at Richmond Bay, Tobago 1959
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Re: SWISS FAMILY MOVIE SITES REVISITED - a revisit 60 years later, of filming locations used by Walt Disney in the movie

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Swiss Family Robinson - promotional movie photo - Cecil Parker (Captain Moreland)
Photo taken at Richmond River, Richmond Bay, Tobago 1959
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Swiss Family Robinson - promotional movie photo - Cecil Parker (Captain Moreland)<br />Photo taken at Richmond River, Richmond Bay, Tobago 1959
Swiss Family Robinson - promotional movie photo - Cecil Parker (Captain Moreland)
Photo taken at Richmond River, Richmond Bay, Tobago 1959
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Re: SWISS FAMILY MOVIE SITES REVISITED - a revisit 60 years later, of filming locations used by Walt Disney in the movie

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Swiss Family Robinson - behind the scenes photo. The beginning of the service ramp at Belle Garden bay, Tobago 1959.

The concrete blocks used as the foundation for the service ramp are still there - some still embedded with pieces of 4” by 4” wood. The stern of the shipwreck was affixed onto the rocks at the end of the ramp.

The Belle Garden bay where the Disney Company did their filming in 1959, has since been renamed, Shipwreck Bay.
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Swiss Family Robinson - behind the scenes photo.  The beginning of the service ramp at Belle Garden bay, Tobago 1959.
Swiss Family Robinson - behind the scenes photo. The beginning of the service ramp at Belle Garden bay, Tobago 1959.
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