Discover which title became the last live-action produced by Walt Disney, filmmaker, producer and businessman who passed away in 1966
It’s no secret that Walt Disney he liked to participate in the construction processes that would be part of the legacy of the company he co-founded alongside his brother Roythe Walt Disney Company, since, in addition to getting his hands dirty in the development of animations, where he was able to direct and even voice characters, he also served as producer on several titles that receive the company’s seal, among them, the live-actions.
Even if it was a desire to Walt since 1941, the company began to invest in recording live action films with the end of the Second World War (1939 – 1945), when, on September 4, 1950, “Treasure Island” was released, the first plot in this format produced by the studio where the plot comes to life through real actors — and of course Walt Disney was one of the producers, alongside names like Perce Pearce It is Herbert Smith.
Since then, Disney hasn’t stopped, and in the company’s extensive catalog of films, it is possible to find plots that cover the genres of action, drama, romance, adventure and many others, bringing unique and unprecedented stories to the screen, in addition to the famous adaptations, ranging from classic novels to fairy tales, the last example being the most popular in recent decades, as it presents flesh-and-blood versions of the studio’s beloved princesses and dreamy princes, such as ‘Aladdin’ (2019) and ‘The Little Mermaid’ (2023), for example.
However, following the studio’s expansion into new types of entertainment, Walt was able to contribute to the emergence of new live action feature films for just over fifteen years, not seeing Disney’s most recent achievements, as, on December 15, 1966, he passed away due to cancer, leaving much missed and an invaluable legacy in the film market.
With this, the question arises: what was the last live-action of Walt Disney? The answer was given through the brand’s official blog, which states that the last film in this format that Walt could produce was ‘Follow, Me Boys!’, released on December 1, 1966, just two weeks before he was confirmed dead at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Burbank.
What is ‘Follow, Me Boys’ about?
The main character of the narrative is Lem Siddons, played by the actor and regular Disney character, Fred MacMurray. Furthermore, it was managed by Byron Haskinthe same director of the studio’s first live-action film, “Treasure Island”.
Lasting just over two hours, the title follows Siddons after settling in a small town. There, he starts working as a pastor, postpones his plans to become a lawyer and, in the end, becomes the local scout leader, where he will find the purpose that will endear him to all the residents of the place.
It is worth remembering that, after death, Walt was credited as producer of other Disney titles, as these were still in production when he was alive, such as “The Jungle Book”, released in 1967. Still, ‘Follow, Me Boys’ marks the last to be produced by Walt and released while he was still alive.
Source: Recreio
