Those Calloways
Those Calloways is a 1965 American family drama film produced by Walt Disney Productions and directed by Norman Tokar.[1][2] Adapted from Paul Annixter's 1950 children's novel Swiftwater, it centers on the Calloway family—a New England trapper, his wife, and son—who battle local hunters and businessmen to establish a wildlife sanctuary for migrating Canadian geese in rural Vermont.[3][4][5] The film stars Brian Keith as the determined patriarch Cam Calloway, Vera Miles as his devoted wife Liddy, and Brandon deWilde as their young son Bucky, supported by a notable ensemble including Walter Brennan as a colorful neighbor, Ed Wynn as a quirky inventor, and early appearances by Linda Evans and Tom Skerritt.[1] Filmed on location in Vermont to capture the region's natural beauty, it emphasizes themes of environmental conservation, family perseverance, and community conflict during the mid-20th century.[4][6] Those Calloways features an original score by veteran composer Max Steiner, marking his final film credit and blending lyrical, majestic tones with moments of humor and tension to underscore the story's wildlife focus.[7] Released on November 5, 1965, the movie received mixed reviews for its heartfelt narrative and strong performances but was critiqued for its length and dated elements, earning a 52% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on contemporary assessments.[3][4] As a product of Disney's live-action era, it highlights the studio's early commitment to family-oriented stories promoting respect for nature.[6]Narrative and cast
Plot
The film is set in the 1920s in rural Vermont near the town of Swiftwater, where the Calloway family ekes out a living as fur trappers.[2] Cam Calloway, a stubborn individualist raised among the Micmac tribe, harbors a lifelong dream of purchasing the surrounding marshland to establish a sanctuary for migrating Canada geese, protecting them from hunters during their annual flights.[8] His practical wife Liddy struggles to manage the family's meager household finances amid their persistent poverty, while their teenage son Bucky navigates coming-of-age challenges, including relentless bullying from local boys and his budding first romance with the girl next door, Bridie.[3] Tensions mount when Cam and Bucky venture out to check their traps, only for Cam to suffer a severe broken leg in an accident involving a shifting log, leaving him temporarily disabled and heightening the family's financial woes.[9] This setback coincides with growing opposition from local hunters eager to exploit the geese and a scheming businessman, Dell Fraser, who arrives in Swiftwater with plans to transform the marshland into a lucrative luxury hunting resort, promising economic prosperity but threatening Cam's vision.[6] As Fraser rallies support by posing as a conservationist and funding Cam's initial efforts to plant corn to attract the birds, the community divides sharply, with Bucky engaging in physical confrontations, particularly fistfights with the chief bully, Whit Turner, over the escalating harassment. Cam remains steadfast in his moral opposition to hunting, even as it exacerbates the family's hardships and strains relations with neighbors who see the resort as a path to jobs and stability.[8] The narrative weaves in sequences of animal training, such as efforts to condition the geese to land at the prepared site, adding moments of whimsy amid the strife.[3] Conflicts peak in a dramatic confrontation where Cam, refusing to yield, sets fire to the planted corn to thwart the hunters, leading to a violent clash in which he is shot and wounded.[6] Through Cam's unyielding persistence and Bucky's growing maturity, the townspeople ultimately rally behind the family, petitioning federal authorities to acquire the land as a protected preserve. As Cam recovers, the sanctuary is secured, and the migrating geese finally arrive in great flocks, realizing the Calloways' dream and uniting the community.[8]Cast
The cast of Those Calloways features a robust ensemble of actors known for their work in family-oriented dramas, creating a dynamic interplay between the Calloway family's internal tensions and the external conflicts with the community. Brian Keith leads as Cam Calloway, the film's central figure—a stubborn fur trapper and devoted conservationist of Irish descent raised by the Micmac Indians, whose unyielding dream of establishing a geese sanctuary often clashes with the family's practical needs.[8] Vera Miles plays Ellen "Liddy" Calloway, Cam's pragmatic wife and mother who shoulders the burden of family finances while tempering her husband's idealism with realism.[8] Brandon deWilde portrays Bucky Calloway, the adolescent son who matures through experiences with local bullying and his budding romance, adding a layer of youthful vulnerability to the household.[8] Supporting roles enrich the ensemble's rustic New England setting and highlight the film's themes of community division. Walter Brennan embodies Alf Simes, an eccentric local inventor and friend who aids the Calloways with his quirky contraptions and unwavering support.[10] Ed Wynn brings comic relief as Ed Parker, the slightly deaf and humorous town elder whose malapropisms provide levity amid the drama.[11] Linda Evans appears as Bridie Mellott, Bucky's love interest from a more affluent family, introducing elements of class contrast and young romance.[10] Philip Abbott plays the antagonistic Dell Fraser, a scheming traveling salesman promoting a hunting resort that threatens Cam's vision.[10] John Larkin plays Jim Mellott, Bridie's father whose support helps bridge community divides.[10]| Actor | Role | Character Description |
|---|---|---|
| Brian Keith | Cam Calloway | Stubborn trapper and conservationist raised by Micmac Indians, driven by a dream that pits idealism against family hardship.[8] |
| Vera Miles | Ellen "Liddy" Calloway | Practical wife managing finances and grounding the family's ambitions.[8] |
| Brandon deWilde | Bucky Calloway | Adolescent son facing bullying and romance, symbolizing generational growth.[8] |
| Walter Brennan | Alf Simes | Eccentric inventor and ally providing comic support and practical help to the family.[10] |
| Ed Wynn | Ed Parker | Humorous, hard-of-hearing local figure offering lighthearted relief.[10] |
| Linda Evans | Bridie Mellott | Bucky's romantic interest from a wealthier background, bridging social divides.[10] |
| Philip Abbott | Dell Fraser | Deceptive businessman advocating for a hunting resort, embodying external opposition.[10] |
| John Larkin | Jim Mellott | Bridie's father, contributing to family and community support.[10] |