Disney favorite Hayley Mills stars in 1962's In Search of the Castaways, an adaptation of Jules Verne's adventure novel "Captain Grant's Children." A distinguished cast, including Maurice Chevalier, Wilfred Hyde-White and George Sanders helps to carry this action-packed film.
Mary Grant (Mills) convinces Lord Glenarvan (Hyde-White) to lead an expedition to rescue her shipwrecked father, marooned halfway around the world. Encounters with Maori tribesmen, earthquakes, floods, wildfires, giant condors and volcanic eruptions challenge the rescuers in their noble attempt. Filmed in several picturesque South Sea locales, the cinematography is stunning, and the special effects unusually convincing for it's time. There are sub-plots galore, including a double-dealing gunrunner (Sanders) attempting to sabotage the venture, and young Mary Grant's semi-romantic "fling" with the Lord's devoted son, John.
The action is non-stop, and at times, surprisingly hair-raising for a Disney production. Chevalier's performance
as Mary Grant's young-at-heart professor friend is impressive and typically classy for this legendary actor.
