The story of Johnny Tremain was the perfect little patriotic piece for the Walt Disney company to take on as a television show.  It emphasizes the type of patriotism and story sense that Wlat personally voiced for his works, similar to Davy Crockett two years earlier.  And even though the two episodes are still unique and separate, they were wisely combined into one larger theatrical film, especially considering some of the craftsmanship apparent on the screen.

The story follows the youth of an aspiring silversmith whose career is cut short by a smithing accident.  Unfortunate as the incident is, it launched his life into a patriotic journey that would bring him to the birth of the Revolutionary war.  His works on the fringe of the”Sons of Liberty” brings him into contact with many historical patriots including Samuel Adams and Paul Revere.  It takes him from his work in he silversmith household to the Boston Tea Party and then on to the start of the war.

One of themost stunning elements of thie film is teh outlandish amount of matte painting provided for this film.  Peter Ellenshaw and his team were kept very busy as they created colonial Boston from countless angles and locales.  That and the music created for the film show the quality required by Disney for a simple television show.

Johnny Tremain is a film guilty of persisting Disney’s image as someone who promotes patriotism with the acceptance of a child.  The patriots are brilliant, the attacking English are bumbling idiots.  Battles result in few people falling in a bloodless howl, and mostly by the men in red.  Most obviously, the Boston Tea Party appears no more dangerous and rebellious then Mrs. Nesbit’s tea party.  This patriotism carried over into the first appearance of the HALL OF PRESIDENTS in the Magic Kingdom.

We in Passamaquoddy are always interested in the live action films put out by thre Disney folk, as they are usually relegated to the background behind the theme parks and animated features.  In many cases these live action films provide a nice logical bridge between the two.

Tomorrow we’ll close out the week of our 4th of July cookout includoing comments from attendees.  See you then…  If you see me tonight, Herring Whip is on me…

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