Toby Tyler or Ten Weeks with a Circus

About This Movie

Toby Tyler or Ten Weeks with a Circus is kind of a mixed bag, but there's an earnest charm to it. The performances are solid, with Kevin Corcoran as Toby bringing that youthful innocence front and center. You really get a sense of the circus atmosphere, and the practical effects of the time add a certain grit that CGI can't replicate. I found the pacing a bit uneven, but that just adds to the quirky feel of the whole thing. Themes of family and belonging are explored, albeit in a somewhat light-handed way. Mr. Stubbs, the chimp, steals a lot of scenes, and honestly, he's a highlight of the film. It’s a slice of 60s family entertainment that doesn’t shy away from darker undertones, which is interesting in its own right.

Released by Walt Disney Productions.Filmed in Technicolor, 35mm format.Based on the book by James Otis.Features an original score by Buddy Baker.