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.