myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

The book ‘ The Disney Film Heritage of Tobago Swiss Family Robinson’ has been added to the prestigious West Indiana Collection, Alma Jordan Library, The University of the West Indies at St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.

One of Fess Reynolds’ photos that he gave to his fans in Tobago during the filming of Swiss Family Robinson - this copy to W. Cowie (Disney driver on the Swiss Family Robinson set), Tobago 1959.

BACK OF PHOTO (SCRIPT)
To W. Cowie
From Fess Reynolds
Walt Disney Production
Swiss Family Robinson
Goldsborough ‘59
Tobago

Disney Film Company animal trainer, Fess Reynolds. Fess was the uncredited stunt double for Janet Munro in Swiss Family Robinson.

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

Screenshot from the 1960 Disney movie Swiss Family Robinson (in red) inserted in a present day photo of the filming location at Mt Irvine Bay 2021

A pirate boat was built in Trinidad and pulled by barge to Tobago for filming in 1959. In the movie, there are two boats. The second boat is not real! It is old school special effects - a matte painting on glass done by artist Peter Ellenshaw.

The Disney movie was filmed in Tobago from August 1959 to January 1960. It was released in theaters on 21st December 1960.

Swiss Family Robinson is available on Disney+ streaming service - a Disney classic, filmed entirely in beautiful Tobago, West Indies.

Pirate chief Kuala (Sessue Hayakawa) leads his pirates ashore - Lobby card advertising the 1960 Disney movie Swiss Family Robinson (in red) inserted in a present day photo of the filming location at Mt Irvine Bay 2021.

The Disney movie was filmed in Tobago from August 1959 to January 1960. It was released in theaters on 21st December 1960.

Swiss Family Robinson is available on Disney+ streaming service - a Disney classic, filmed entirely in beautiful Tobago, West Indies.

Looks like they could walk over to the Mt. Irvine beach bar for a cold Carib or a rum punch!

Sessue Hayakawa would have needed a time machine to have that Mt Irvine Hotel Beach Bar rum punch! The Mt. Irvine Resort and Golf Course opened 11 years later in 1970.

I’m sure that they made up for lost time later in the evening with drinks at Club La Tropical in Bacolet - a favorite with the Swiss Family Robinson cast and crew.

Swiss Family Robinson movie screenshot (in red) inserted in a present day photo of the filming location at Mt Irvine Bay 2021.

Swiss Family Robinson movie screenshot (in red) - Cabin Boy Bertie (Janet Munro) and Captain Moreland (Cecil Parker) captured by Pirate chief Kuala (Sessue Hayakawa) for ransom.

This rare 1960 Swiss Family Robinson British Quad movie poster was printed in England by Stafford & Co. Ltd. Netherfield, Nottingham & London.

The poster measures 30” by 40”.

This is a Disney Special Poster (Buena Vista 1972) Advance One Sheet.
The poster is an advertisement for upcoming Disney movies:
A double feature - the rerelease of ‘Swiss Family Robinson’ with ‘101 Dalmatians; Now You See Him, Now You Don't; and, ‘Napoleon and ‘Samantha’.

The poster measures 29.5” x 40”.

A recent addition to my SFR collection of memorabilia.


INTERESTING TRIVIA ABOUT THE DOUBLE FEATURE (SFR & 101 DALMATIANS):
Dickie Bamber (UK) worked on Swiss Family Robinson in Tobago as one of the Standby Props Team.
His son, Terry Bamber had the great pleasure to work on 101 (and 102) Dalmatians with the legendary Micky Moore.

Dickie celebrated his 89th birthday this week! Happy birthday Dickie Bamber

The movie Swiss Family Robinson was released on Laser Disc in 1993 as part of Disney’s Exclusive Archive Collection.

Jim Fanning - Disney writer, author and editor - holding his 1993 Swiss Family Robinson Laser Disc. The laserdisc liner notes were written by Jim Fanning.

Jim’s laserdisc jacket is autographed by Disney star James MacArthur, and SFR movie director Ken Annakin.
The cover photo shows the Robinson family in front of the treehouse set at Goldsborough, Tobago. The movie was filmed exclusively in Tobago from August 1959 to January 1960. It was released in cinemas on 21 December 1960.


Check out Jim Fanning's Tulgey Wood TV at

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpPBRu ... ZuDojT8qmw

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

Colorized Swiss Family Robinson Movie Making Photo. Goldsborough, Tobago, 1959 - Two ‘Robertas’ (Janet Munro) on set!

Swiss Family Robinson behind the scenes photo. Filming the closeup shots for the animal race around the treehouse at Goldsborough, Tobago. Janet Munro (Roberta) is on the zebra.

Walking alongside in a Janet Munro costume is animal trainer, Fess Reynolds.

Fess was the uncredited stunt double for Janet Munro in Swiss Family Robinson.

Tommy Kirk and siblings - Andrew Kirk and Joe Kirk

Tommy Kirk played Ernst Robinson in the 1960 Disney movie Swiss Family Robinson filmed entirely on the island of Tobago from August 1959 to January 1960.

1962 photo with nineteen year old Tommy Kirk and younger brother Andrew Kirk (left).
Photo courtesy, Jennifer Kirk (daughter of Andrew Kirk).

Joe Kirk - Tommy Kirk’s look alike older brother!
Photo courtesy, Heather Kirk (daughter of Joe Kirk).

1959 photo of a Keel-Billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus) at the Disney Zoo compound, Goodwood, Tobago.

Screenshot from the movie with the Keel-Billed Toucans (white arrow) on the veranda of the main treehouse. This scene was filmed at Goldsborough, Tobago 1959

1959 photo of a King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa) at the Disney Zoo compound, Goodwood, Tobago 1959.

Screenshot from the movie with the King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa) perched on a rock watching the zebra (off camera) stuck in the watering hole.

This scene was filmed at Studley Park, Tobago 1959.

Screenshot from the 1960 Disney movie Swiss Family Robinson (in red) inserted in a present day photo of the filming location at the jetty, Pigeon Point Heritage Park, Tobago 2021

Swiss Family Robinson screenshot - Fritz (James MacArthur) and Ernst (Tommy Kirk) exploring the coastline around the island.

Screenshot from the 1960 Disney movie Swiss Family Robinson (in red) inserted in a present day photo of the filming location at Grange Bay (The Wall), Tobago 2021.

Wolf Rock is the common landmark in both the ‘then’ and ‘now’ photos.

Swiss Family Robinson - Fritz (James MacArthur) and Ernst (Tommy Kirk) exploring the coastline around the island in a canoe outrigger

Swiss Family Robinson 1960 movie Poster used in Belgium, titled:

The Robinsons of The South Seas (Swiss Family Robinson)

French - Les Robinsons des mers du sud (Swiss Family Robinson)
Dutch - Robinsons Van De Zuidezeeen).

Thank you for the memories Tommy Kirk … December 10, 1941 - September 28, 2021

Tommy Kirk was the last surviving star in the movie Swiss Family Robinson filmed on the island of Tobago in 1959.

1962 photo with twenty-one year old Tommy Kirk and younger brother Andrew Kirk (left). Photo courtesy - Tommy Kirk’s niece, Jennifer Kirk (daughter of Andrew Kirk).

Tommy Kirk played Ernst Robinson in the 1960 Disney movie Swiss Family Robinson filmed entirely on the island of Tobago from August 1959 to January 1960. The movie premiered on 10 December 1960 - Tommy Kirk’s 19th birthday.

Thank you for the memories Tommy Kirk … December 10, 1941 - September 28, 2021

Tommy Kirk was the last surviving star in the movie Swiss Family Robinson filmed on the island of Tobago in 1959.