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

What to see, what to do, where to go
Post Reply
User avatar
Jazz557
Tobago Fanatic
Tobago Fanatic
Posts: 275
Joined: Sun Apr 07, 2019 1:08 pm
Location: Caribbean
Contact:

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

Post by Jazz557 »

The Walt Disney Movie, Swiss Family Robinson was filmed entirely in Tobago from August 1959 to January 1960. The movie was released on December 21, 1960.

Swiss Family Robinson behind the camera photo - Filming of the animal races scene around the treehouse at Goldsborough, 1959. Sitting behind the camera is Ernie Day (camera operator). At the back in dark glasses is Harry Waxman (Cinematographer). Relaxing on the grass is Ted Underwood (Grip).

Goldsborough, Tobago 1959
Attachments
Swiss Family Robinson behind the camera photo - Filming of the animal races scene around the treehouse at Goldsborough, 1959.
Swiss Family Robinson behind the camera photo - Filming of the animal races scene around the treehouse at Goldsborough, 1959.
User avatar
Jazz557
Tobago Fanatic
Tobago Fanatic
Posts: 275
Joined: Sun Apr 07, 2019 1:08 pm
Location: Caribbean
Contact:

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

Post by Jazz557 »

I acquired a Swiss Family Robinson 'Shooting Script' by Lowell S. Hawley.
Dated 1959.
Attachments
Swiss Family Robinson 'Shooting Script' by Lowell S. Hawley dated 1959.<br />Page 120 - The Christmas dance at the treehouse.
Swiss Family Robinson 'Shooting Script' by Lowell S. Hawley dated 1959.
Page 120 - The Christmas dance at the treehouse.
User avatar
Jazz557
Tobago Fanatic
Tobago Fanatic
Posts: 275
Joined: Sun Apr 07, 2019 1:08 pm
Location: Caribbean
Contact:

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

Post by Jazz557 »

Behind the scenes footage - Swiss Family Robinson movie set of the Shipwreck SWALLOW. Debris is being put on deck to make the shipwreck more realistic. Shipwreck Bay, Belle Garden, Tobago 1959.
Attachments
Shipwreck Bay, Belle Garden, Tobago 1959
Shipwreck Bay, Belle Garden, Tobago 1959
User avatar
Jazz557
Tobago Fanatic
Tobago Fanatic
Posts: 275
Joined: Sun Apr 07, 2019 1:08 pm
Location: Caribbean
Contact:

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

Post by Jazz557 »

Behind the scenes footage Swiss Family Robinson movie - The riggers are building a coconut tree prop alongside the river at Richmond Bay, Tobago 1959.
Attachments
The riggers are building a coconut tree prop alongside the river at Richmond Bay, Tobago 1959
The riggers are building a coconut tree prop alongside the river at Richmond Bay, Tobago 1959
User avatar
Jazz557
Tobago Fanatic
Tobago Fanatic
Posts: 275
Joined: Sun Apr 07, 2019 1:08 pm
Location: Caribbean
Contact:

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

Post by Jazz557 »

The Walt Disney Movie, Swiss Family Robinson was filmed in Tobago from August to 1959 to January 1960.

Swiss Family Robinson behind the scenes photo - Filming the pirate ships in the bay.
Only one pirate ship prop was built. The second pirate ship in the movie is a matte painting on glass done by Special Effects Artist, Peter Ellenshaw. Filming at Mt Irvine Bay, Tobago 1959.
Attachments
Swiss Family Robinson behind the scenes photo - Filming the pirate ships in Mt Irvine Bay, Tobago 1959.
Swiss Family Robinson behind the scenes photo - Filming the pirate ships in Mt Irvine Bay, Tobago 1959.
User avatar
Jazz557
Tobago Fanatic
Tobago Fanatic
Posts: 275
Joined: Sun Apr 07, 2019 1:08 pm
Location: Caribbean
Contact:

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 - Filming of the closeup scene of the animal race. This was the last scene in the movie to be filmed. Filming was done at the right of the treehouse at Goldsborough, 1959. In the closeups, Tommy Kirk rode the ostrich, Kevin Corcoran - the juvenile Asian elephant, Janet Munro - the zebra, and James MacArthur - the donkey. Goldsborough. Tobago 1959.
Attachments
Swiss Family Robinson behind the scenes photo - Filming of the closeup scene of the animal race.  Goldsborough. Tobago 1959.
Swiss Family Robinson behind the scenes photo - Filming of the closeup scene of the animal race. Goldsborough. Tobago 1959.
User avatar
Jazz557
Tobago Fanatic
Tobago Fanatic
Posts: 275
Joined: Sun Apr 07, 2019 1:08 pm
Location: Caribbean
Contact:

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. Preparing the set for the snake scene at Pigeon Point lagoon, Tobago 1959.

The waist high water level was maintained with pumps and, the lagoon floor cleared by Eddie Fowlie. Eddie was officially the Swiss Family Robinson property manager but was more importantly, the best troubleshooting prop man on the set.
Attachments
Swiss Family Robinson - behind the scenes photo.  Preparing the set for the snake scene at Pigeon Point lagoon, Tobago 1959.
Swiss Family Robinson - behind the scenes photo. Preparing the set for the snake scene at Pigeon Point lagoon, Tobago 1959.
User avatar
Jazz557
Tobago Fanatic
Tobago Fanatic
Posts: 275
Joined: Sun Apr 07, 2019 1:08 pm
Location: Caribbean
Contact:

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

Post by Jazz557 »

The Walt Disney Movie, Swiss Family Robinson was filmed entirely in Tobago from August 1959 to January 1960. The movie was released on December 21, 1960.

Behind the scenes photo of the Swiss Family Robinson shipwreck set built alongside the rocks. Photo taken from a tubular pipe ramp built out to sea. Shipwreck Bay, Belle Garden, Tobago 1959.
Attachments
Photo taken from a tubular pipe ramp built out to sea.  Shipwreck Bay, Belle Garden, Tobago 1959.
Photo taken from a tubular pipe ramp built out to sea. Shipwreck Bay, Belle Garden, Tobago 1959.
User avatar
Jazz557
Tobago Fanatic
Tobago Fanatic
Posts: 275
Joined: Sun Apr 07, 2019 1:08 pm
Location: Caribbean
Contact:

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

Post by Jazz557 »

The Walt Disney Movie, Swiss Family Robinson was filmed entirely in Tobago from August 1959 to January 1960. The movie was released on December 21, 1960.

Behind the scenes story of Swiss Family Robinson. Walt Disney points to the island of Tobago in the Caribbean where the movie was filmed.

According to Walt, ‘Tobago had everything we needed. In fact, it’s an island where the adventures of the Swiss Family Robinson could have actually happened’.

Today’s photo of Pigeon Point, Tobago - the filming location where some of the canoe outrigger scenes with James MacArthur and Tommy Kirk.
Attachments
Walt Disney points to the island of Tobago in the Caribbean where the movie Swiss Family Robinson, was filmed.
Walt Disney points to the island of Tobago in the Caribbean where the movie Swiss Family Robinson, was filmed.
User avatar
Jazz557
Tobago Fanatic
Tobago Fanatic
Posts: 275
Joined: Sun Apr 07, 2019 1:08 pm
Location: Caribbean
Contact:

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

Post by Jazz557 »

Joe Kirk - Tommy Kirk older brother - They look alike!

Joe Kirk - older brother of Tommy Kirk. Joe was a good singer and actor. He loved performing in front of a live audience. Joe also did commercials and print ads and even some modeling to pay for school.

Joe Kirk’s photographs courtesy Heather Kirk (daughter of Joe Kirk).

The Walt Disney Movie, Swiss Family Robinson was filmed entirely in Tobago from August 1959 to January 1960. The movie was released on December 21, 1960.
Attachments
Joe Kirk  - Tommy Kirk older brother - They look alike!  Both photos taken in the same timeframe 1959  ...  Joe Kirk’s photographs courtesy Heather Kirk  (daughter of Joe Kirk).
Joe Kirk - Tommy Kirk older brother - They look alike! Both photos taken in the same timeframe 1959 ... Joe Kirk’s photographs courtesy Heather Kirk (daughter of Joe Kirk).
Joe Kirk  - Tommy Kirk older brother - They look alike!  Both photos taken in the same timeframe 1959  ...  Joe Kirk’s photographs courtesy Heather Kirk  (daughter of Joe Kirk).
Joe Kirk - Tommy Kirk older brother - They look alike! Both photos taken in the same timeframe 1959 ... Joe Kirk’s photographs courtesy Heather Kirk (daughter of Joe Kirk).
User avatar
Jazz557
Tobago Fanatic
Tobago Fanatic
Posts: 275
Joined: Sun Apr 07, 2019 1:08 pm
Location: Caribbean
Contact:

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

Post by Jazz557 »

Joe Kirk - Tommy Kirk older brother - They look alike! Both photos taken in the same timeframe 1959 ... Joe Kirk’s photographs courtesy Heather Kirk (daughter of Joe Kirk).
Attachments
Joe Kirk’s photographs courtesy Heather Kirk  (daughter of Joe Kirk).
Joe Kirk’s photographs courtesy Heather Kirk (daughter of Joe Kirk).
User avatar
Jazz557
Tobago Fanatic
Tobago Fanatic
Posts: 275
Joined: Sun Apr 07, 2019 1:08 pm
Location: Caribbean
Contact:

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 art showing the scene with the Swiss Family Robinson praying after escaping from the shipwreck and landing on the beach.
Richmond Bay, Tobago.
Attachments
Richmond Bay, Tobago.
Richmond Bay, Tobago.
User avatar
Jazz557
Tobago Fanatic
Tobago Fanatic
Posts: 275
Joined: Sun Apr 07, 2019 1:08 pm
Location: Caribbean
Contact:

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

Post by Jazz557 »

Screenshot from 1960 movie Swiss Family Robinson - swinging from the vines at Craig Hall waterfall, Moriah, Tobago. The waterfall is just alongside the Northside Road with concrete steps leading down to the pool at the bottom of the falls. The concrete water slide that Disney built in 1959 is still there - with not even a crack 60 hurricane seasons later!
Attachments
Screenshot from 1960 movie Swiss Family Robinson - swinging from the vines at Craig Hall waterfall, Moriah, Tobago.
Screenshot from 1960 movie Swiss Family Robinson - swinging from the vines at Craig Hall waterfall, Moriah, Tobago.
User avatar
Jazz557
Tobago Fanatic
Tobago Fanatic
Posts: 275
Joined: Sun Apr 07, 2019 1:08 pm
Location: Caribbean
Contact:

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

Post by Jazz557 »

Disney’s Swiss Family Robinson 'Shooting Script' by Lowell S. Hawley dated 1959.

A note on the front cover:

PLEASE RETURN TO SCRIPT DEPARTMENT WHEN DUTIES IN CONNECTION WITH PRODUCTION ARE COMPLETED

This script wasn’t! 😊

The opening scenes with the family on the deck of the shipwreck, was filmed at Shipwreck Bay, Belle Garden, Tobago, 1959.
Attachments
Disney’s Swiss Family Robinson 'Shooting Script' by Lowell S. Hawley dated 1959.
Disney’s Swiss Family Robinson 'Shooting Script' by Lowell S. Hawley dated 1959.
User avatar
Jazz557
Tobago Fanatic
Tobago Fanatic
Posts: 275
Joined: Sun Apr 07, 2019 1:08 pm
Location: Caribbean
Contact:

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 behind the scenes photo. Cleaning up debris strewn about the beach at Richmond Bay after a Tropical Depression passed over Tobago on August 17 1959. The depression later strengthened into Tropical Storm Edith as it passed over the Windward Islands. Richmond Bay, Tobago 1959.

In some Disney blogs and interviews, there is mention about the island being ravaged by a hurricane during filming. This of course, was just a tropical depression that brushed past Tobago on August 17, 1959. Typical rainy season weather in the islands ...

The tropical depression did briefly delay filming. The shipwreck at Belle Garden had to be anchored onto the seabed with even more cables ... The rough seas had lifted it off the rocks!

Apart from this tropical depression, the 1959 rainy season was as expected with no more surprises. So the Disney Film Company had no further weather related delays in filming Swiss Family Robinson.
Attachments
Behind the scenes photo, Richmond Bay, Tobago 1959
Behind the scenes photo, Richmond Bay, Tobago 1959
User avatar
Jazz557
Tobago Fanatic
Tobago Fanatic
Posts: 275
Joined: Sun Apr 07, 2019 1:08 pm
Location: Caribbean
Contact:

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. A prop man decorating the set with artificial anthurium, ginger lilies and heliconia flowers. Richmond Bay, Tobago 1959
Attachments
Behind the scenes photo, Richmond Bay, Tobago 1959
Behind the scenes photo, Richmond Bay, Tobago 1959
User avatar
Jazz557
Tobago Fanatic
Tobago Fanatic
Posts: 275
Joined: Sun Apr 07, 2019 1:08 pm
Location: Caribbean
Contact:

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

Post by Jazz557 »

The Walt Disney Movie, Swiss Family Robinson was filmed in Tobago from August to 1959 to January 1960.

Swiss Family Robinson movie behind the scenes photo - Fritz (James MacArthur) rigs the collapsing bridge over the Richmond river at Richmond Bay. Roberta (Janet Munro) looks on. The river changed course decades ago and now flows into the sea lower down the beach. Richmond Bay, Tobago 1959.
Attachments
Richmond Bay, Tobago 1959.
Richmond Bay, Tobago 1959.
User avatar
Jazz557
Tobago Fanatic
Tobago Fanatic
Posts: 275
Joined: Sun Apr 07, 2019 1:08 pm
Location: Caribbean
Contact:

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 screenshot - this scene with the Robinson family escaping from the shipwreck in a makeshift tub raft was filmed in the open waters at Shipwreck Bay, Belle Garden 1959.
Attachments
Swiss Family Robinson movie screenshot - the Robinson family escaping from the shipwreck in a makeshift tub raft.  Shipwreck Bay, Belle Garden 1959.
Swiss Family Robinson movie screenshot - the Robinson family escaping from the shipwreck in a makeshift tub raft. Shipwreck Bay, Belle Garden 1959.
User avatar
Jazz557
Tobago Fanatic
Tobago Fanatic
Posts: 275
Joined: Sun Apr 07, 2019 1:08 pm
Location: Caribbean
Contact:

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

Post by Jazz557 »

Kevin Corcoran - Moochie (middle in black swim trunks) heading for an after school swim with children of cast members. The children were taught every day on location in between filming.

Behind the scenes photo, Richmond Bay, Tobago 1959.
Attachments
Behind the scenes photo, Richmond Bay, Tobago 1959.
Behind the scenes photo, Richmond Bay, Tobago 1959.
User avatar
Jazz557
Tobago Fanatic
Tobago Fanatic
Posts: 275
Joined: Sun Apr 07, 2019 1:08 pm
Location: Caribbean
Contact:

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 behind the scenes photos - the wrap party. Limbo dancers and steel pan music entertainment at the end of filming.

Belle Garden, Tobago 1959
Attachments
The wrap party.  Limbo dancers and steel pan music entertainment at the end of filming.   Belle Garden, Tobago 1959
The wrap party. Limbo dancers and steel pan music entertainment at the end of filming. Belle Garden, Tobago 1959
Post Reply

Return to “Sightseeing, Tours, Sport & Activities”