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 »

Walt Disney himself referred to the movie as ‘THE GREATEST ADVENTURE STORY OF THEM ALL’.

60 years ago, Swiss Family Robinson was Disney's big Christmas release on December 21st 1960 ... Merry Christmas 🎁🎄 everybody! Oh by gosh by golly ...
Attachments
60 years ago,  Swiss Family Robinson was Disney's big Christmas release
60 years ago, Swiss Family Robinson was Disney's big Christmas release
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 »

December 2020 photo of Dickie Bamber courtesy his son, Terry Bamber (Assistant Director/ Production Manager).

Dickie Bamber’s film career spanned from Props to Producing

Dickie was a member of the Standby Prop Team during the filming of the Disney classic. Swiss Family Robinson on the island of Tobago, West Indies - from August 1959 to January 1960.
Attachments
December 2020 photo of Dickie Bamber courtesy his son, Terry Bamber (Assistant Director/ Production Manager).
December 2020 photo of Dickie Bamber courtesy his son, Terry Bamber (Assistant Director/ Production Manager).
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 »

Terry Bamber’s career began in 1969 - both in Film and TV, including several James Bond Films, Walt Disney’s 1994 “Jungle Book” and “101 Dalmatians” and “102 Dalmatians”. Terry is an Assistant Director/ Production Manager.


Richard (Dickie) Bamber’s Film career began in 1943. It spanned from Props to Producing.

Dickie was a member of the Standby Prop Team during the filming of the Disney classic, Swiss Family Robinson on the island of Tobago, West Indies - from August 1959 to January 1960.
Attachments
Dickie Bamber (left) and son, Terry Bamber (right) - Christmas Eve 2020.  Photo courtesy Terry Bamber (UK).
Dickie Bamber (left) and son, Terry Bamber (right) - Christmas Eve 2020. Photo courtesy Terry Bamber (UK).
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 movie storyboard  - Christmas scene at the treehouse in Goldsborough and Pigeon Point Heritage Park where one of the canoe outrigger scenes were filmed back in 1959 ...

Happy holidays 🎁🧑‍🎄🎄❤️🇹🇹
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 »

Happy holidays everyone!
Attachments
Happy holidays
Happy holidays
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 »

Mr. and Mrs. Bamber (66 years married) - Christmas Eve 2020. Dickie Bamber is sitting in the background reading.

Dickie’s Film career began in 1943. It spanned from Art Department (53 credits - including Swiss Family Robinson), Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
(24 credits), Production Manager (11 credits - including Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends and Enid Blyton’s The Famous Five) and Producer (15 credits). Dickie was
the winner of the CableACE Award as Producer of the 1986 TV Movie - Murrow.

Dickie was a member of the Standby Prop Team during the filming of the Disney classic, Swiss Family Robinson on the island of Tobago, West Indies - from August 1959 to January 1960. The movie premiered in New York on December 10th 1960 and was released on December 21st 1960.
Attachments
Mr. and Mrs. Bamber (66 years married) - Christmas Eve 2020.   Dickie Bamber is sitting in the background reading.
Mr. and Mrs. Bamber (66 years married) - Christmas Eve 2020. Dickie Bamber is sitting in the background reading.
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 - (L to R) Swiss Family Robinson Film Director, Ken Annakin and Kuala, the pirate chief (Sessue Hayakawa).

Swiss Family Robinson Lobby Card - Pirates, led by Kuala, the pirate chief (Sessue Hayakawa), seize the merchant ship and capture Captain Moreland (Cecil Parker) and cabin boy Bertie (Janet Munro). (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 was born on June 10, 1886 in Minamiboso, Chiba, Japan. He was 73 during the filming of Swiss Family Robinson on the island of Tobago back in 1959.
Attachments
Sessue Hayakawa  was born on June 10, 1886 in Minamiboso, Chiba, Japan.  He was 73 during the filming of Swiss Family Robinson on the island of Tobago back in 1959.
Sessue Hayakawa was born on June 10, 1886 in Minamiboso, Chiba, Japan. He was 73 during the filming of Swiss Family Robinson on the island of Tobago back in 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 - the highlight of the Robinsons celebrations commemorating one year on the island. This was the last scene in the movie to be filmed. Goldsborough, Tobago - January 1960.

Happy New Year ... 2021 Welcome!
Attachments
Happy New Year ... 2021 Welcome!
Happy New Year ... 2021 Welcome!
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. Enjoying a Coca Cola break during filming at. 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. Richmond Bay 1959.

Sessue Hayakawa was born on June 10, 1886 in Minamiboso, Chiba, Japan.

He was 73 during the filming of Swiss Family Robinson. His good looks and typecasting as a sexually dominant villain made him a heartthrob among American women and he became one of the first male sex symbols of Hollywood.
Attachments
Sessue Hayakawa  was born on June 10, 1886 in Minamiboso, Chiba, Japan.   He was 73 when he acted as the chief pirate in Swiss Family Robinson
Sessue Hayakawa was born on June 10, 1886 in Minamiboso, Chiba, Japan. He was 73 when he acted as the chief pirate in Swiss Family Robinson
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 »

Riding the zebra - Swiss Family Robinson movie.

Swiss Family Robinson behind the scenes photo - Mary Hayley Bell, Lady Mills on Duchess the zebra. Richmond Bay, Tobago 1959.

Movie poster illustration - animal races around the treehouse, Goldsborough 1959
Attachments
Riding the zebra - Swiss Family Robinson movie.
Riding the zebra - Swiss Family Robinson movie.
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 - John Mills leaning against the giant one hundred and fifty year old tortoise used in the movie. Richmond Bay, Tobago 1959.
Attachments
Swiss Family Robinson behind the scenes photo - Richmond Bay, Tobago.
Swiss Family Robinson behind the scenes photo - 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 »

Lion cub at Disney‘s Swiss Family Robinson zoo compound, Goodwood, Tobago 1959.

Mel Koontz, the Swiss Family Robinson tiger trainer brought with him from New Orleans, this 3 month old lion cub whose training he could not break. The lion was not used in the movie.


Photo of the lion cub at the Disney zoo compound, Goodwood, Tobago 1959. Photo courtesy The Cowie Family of Carnbee, Tobago.
Attachments
Lion cub at Disney‘s Swiss Family Robinson zoo compound, Goodwood, Tobago 1959.
Lion cub at Disney‘s Swiss Family Robinson zoo compound, Goodwood, 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 - John Mills and Dorothy McGuire doing a closeup on the beach at Richmond Bay 1959.
Attachments
Swiss Family Robinson behind the scenes photo at Richmond Bay and 1960 movie posters.
Swiss Family Robinson behind the scenes photo at Richmond Bay and 1960 movie posters.
Hugh S
Tobago Anorak
Tobago Anorak
Posts: 551
Joined: Sun Feb 18, 2007 2:43 pm
Location: West Coast, USA
Contact:

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

Post by Hugh S »

Just finished watching the DVD borrowed from our local (curb service only) public library and I had a whole new experience after enjoying this thread since the beginning. It was so much fun picking out all the familiar places.

Thanks for the inside info, stay safe,

Hugh 8)
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 »

Thank you for your feedback Hugh ... I enjoyed finding all the filming locations.

Would you believe, only Craig Hall waterfall, Pigeon Point, Goldsborough (treehouse), Goodwood and Richmond Bay are recorded in the Disney archives (verified by Disney Art Directors who are in contact with me).

I found all the other locations through my photography sleuthing except the canoe crash location at John Dial - this was found with the help of an eyewitness. I was able to verify the John Dial film location by a single .5 second frame in the movie!

Next on your bucket list is to use the “Do It Yourself Tour Guide Maps” (also in the “Sightseeing, Tours, Sports and Activities” Forum) to visit the film locations when the borders reopen. Fingers crossed that we’d all be vaccinated soon.
Be safe Hugh ...
Regards,
Jazz
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 1960 movie poster 40” x 60”

In this 1960 movie poster illustration, Roberta (Janet Munro) is riding the ostrich, Fritz (James MacArthur) is riding the zebra and Ernst (Tommy Kirk) is riding the donkey.

However, in the movie, Munro is riding the zebra with Kirk on the ostrich and MacArthur on the donkey! ... the artist’s rendition of the Swiss Family Robinson animal race looks great on the 1960 movie poster!
Attachments
Swiss Family Robinson 1960 movie poster 40” x 60”
Swiss Family Robinson 1960 movie poster 40” x 60”
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 1960 movie poster insert 14” x 36”

These illustrations are so beautiful ... The coconut logs are the bomb ... pun intended!

The composite illustration also shows the explosion triggering the rocks over the steep end of the cliff (facing the sea). In the movie, the rocks are exploded on the same side that the coconut logs were unleashed onto the invading pirates.
Attachments
Swiss Family Robinson 1960 movie poster insert 14” x 36”
Swiss Family Robinson 1960 movie poster insert 14” x 36”
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 »

Locals and the Swiss Family Robinson movie

Enid Grant-Heady (Taylor) at her home in Scarborough, looks at 1959 photos of herself during Disney’s stay in Tobago. Enid will be celebrating her 97th birthday soon.

Angela Miranda at her home in Calder Hall, Tobago, looks at photos of herself and her husband Neville at the Dellamira Hotel during the filming of the movie Swiss Family Robinson.

Angela celebrated her 93rd birthday in January. The Dellamira hotel in Bacolet was owned and operated by Angela and Neville Miranda. Some of the Disney crew members stayed here during the filming of Swiss Family Robinson from August 1959 to January 1960.
Attachments
Locals and the Swiss Family Robinson movie
Locals and the Swiss Family Robinson movie
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 »

My recent acquisition - This 1975 Swiss Family Robinson movie poster insert. These were made for the 4th release of the movie in theaters (1960, 1969, 1972 and 1975). The last movie rerelease was in 1981 before the movie was released on DVD. Now it’s streaming on Disney+

Close up of the R-1975 movie poster insert showing the Robinsons deploying coconut logs on the invading pirates. This illustration was also used in a 1975 issue 14” x 11” Lobby Card.

(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).
Attachments
My recent acquisition  - Swiss Family Robinson R-1975 movie poster insert (14” by 36”).
My recent acquisition - Swiss Family Robinson R-1975 movie poster insert (14” by 36”).
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 - in the filming of the canoe crash sequence, Fritz and Ernst jump off the canoe into the breakers at John Dial Beach. In this screenshot, the canoe is wrecked at Bay Hill Rock, John Dial Beach, Hope Bay, Tobago
Attachments
Bay Hill Rock, John Dial Beach, Hope Bay, Tobago
Bay Hill Rock, John Dial Beach, Hope Bay, Tobago
Post Reply

Return to “Sightseeing, Tours, Sport & Activities”