Scandalous John

Very unique film for Disney
STORY: John McCanless is a 79 year old cowboy rancher living physically in modern times, while his mind is still in the wild west. A descendant of the Old West's greatest rancher, he protects his Crazy M Ranch in New Mexico from "them varmits, Apaches, and bandits" that no one can see but him. Turns out the real bandits are the bankers snatching up the area land for development. He hires a handyman from Mexico named Paco, after first trying to fill him full of lead. Paco is convinced to stay by the rancher's grandaughter and he quickly gets over his initial fear. Eventually he sees the West through the eyes of the old rancher, gains new respect for him and joins him in his vision. They hit the trail to bring the herd (1 scrawny bull) to market for the "big payoff", encountering lawmen and crooks along the way.

BEHIND THE SCENES: Released in 1971, this film was in production while Walt was alive, but was not released until after his death. A very unconventional movie,...

one of the very best
This remarkable and unique film is many things: it is an analogue of Don Quixote, with John McCanlis (or Don Juan) as Quixote and Paco as his sidekick. He saves a damsel (not) in distress, and battles imaginary enemies. He was a bookworm in his youth, but now regards books as useless.

The Quixote image is poignant, as the theme of this movie is the environment and its destruction in the name of "progress." And Don Juan is trying to save it. As he says, the land is to be destroyed to make "a fishpond for dudes." Don Juan meets some Apaches and speaks to them in their own language. Problem is--they don't understand their own language! And Don Juan battles the people who are doing this, whom he calls "Blackjack" and who are personified by Whittacker.

This movie is a deliberate monument to all the people, like McCanlis, who built the West, and to the principles of self-reliance, help of neighbors and all-around honor that this man represents.

The...

Very unique film for Disney
STORY: John McCanless is a 79 year old cowboy rancher living physically in modern times, while his mind is still in the wild west. A descendant of the Old West's greatest rancher, he protects his Crazy M Ranch in New Mexico from "them varmits, Apaches, and bandits" that no one can see but him. Turns out the real bandits are the bankers snatching up the area land for development. He hires a handyman from Mexico named Paco, after first trying to fill him full of lead. Paco is convinced to stay by the rancher's grandaughter and he quickly gets over his initial fear. Eventually he sees the West through the eyes of the old rancher, gains new respect for him and joins him in his vision. They hit the trail to bring the herd (1 scrawny bull) to market for the "big payoff", encountering lawmen and crooks along the way.

BEHIND THE SCENES: Released in 1971, this film was in production while Walt was alive, but was not released until after his death. A very unconventional movie,...

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