Toby Tyler

Toby Tyler is a 1960 American family drama film directed by Charles Barton, produced by Walt Disney Productions, and based on the 1881 children's book Toby Tyler, or Ten Weeks with a Circus by James Otis Kaler. The film stars Kevin Corcoran as the titular character, Toby Tyler, a runaway who finds himself taken in by a traveling circus.

The movie begins with Toby Tyler, a young boy who lives with his aunt and uncle, feeling restless and unhappy with his life. He decides to run away from home and joins a traveling circus, where he is given work taking care of the monkeys. The circus is run by the kind-hearted and fatherly Sam Treat, played by Henry Calvin, and Toby quickly finds himself adapting to the life of a circus performer.

Throughout the movie, Toby learns valuable lessons about responsibility, friendship, and the importance of hard work. He befriends the other performers, notably Mr. Stubbs, a veteran clown played by Gene Sheldon, and learns about the challenges and joys of life on the road.

Toby also encounters a number of difficulties during his time with the circus. He becomes disillusioned with his job taking care of the monkeys when he learns they are trained to steal from unsuspecting audience members. He also discovers that the kindly ringmaster, who has taken a liking to him, is actually wanted by the police for theft.

Despite these challenges, Toby perseveres and ultimately triumphs over adversity. With the help of his friends in the circus, he learns to stand up for himself and fight for what is right.

The film is notable for its depictions of circus life, featuring a number of real-life performers and animals. The movie was praised for its charming and heartwarming story, as well as its strong performances and impressive cinematography.

Toby Tyler was a commercial success upon its release, and remains a beloved classic of family cinema. Its enduring popularity has led to multiple re-releases on home video, as well as adaptations for television and stage productions. The film is widely regarded as one of the most beloved and enduring films from Disney's live-action canon.