Toby Tyler (or 10 Weeks with a Circus) (1960) – Nostalgia Central

This delightful family movie from Disney is set in the 1800s, with Kevin Corcoran in the titular role.

Young Toby runs away from his farm home to join a travelling circus because he feels unappreciated and unloved by his uncle and aunt (Edith Evanson and Tom Fadden) – who actually took him in when his parents died so he wouldn’t be sent to an orphanage.

Shifty fast-talking concessionaire Harry Tupper (Bob Sweeney) sees Toby as a good moneymaker, but the soft-hearted circus strong man, Ben Cotter (Henry Calvin) and friendly clown Sam Treat (Gene Sheldon) look out for the boy’s protection.

Toby becomes friends with a chimpanzee he names ‘Mr Stubbs’. During a circus parade, the chimp escapes and starts to shoot up the sheriff’s office.

But Toby fearlessly disarms the ape and wins the approval of the circus manager, Colonel Sam Castle (Richard Eastham), who offers the boy permanent custody of the animal.

When young bareback rider Mademoiselle Jeanette (Barbara Beaird) is injured, Toby lies and claims to know how to ride. His bluff is called, and the youngster suffers as he attempts to master the tricks of bareback riding.

But master them he does, and just as he is about to make his debut, he discovers that Sweeney, who has a financial interest in him, has been hiding the letters written to him by his stepparents.

Realising that he is needed at home, Toby leaves the circus and sets out to walk to his home. Mr Stubbs joins him, and the pair make their way together.

Dell produced a comic book adaptation in 1960, which was reprinted in 1964 by Gold Key to tie in to the November TV airing of the film in two parts on Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color.

Toby Tyler
Kevin Corcoran
Ben Cotter
Henry Calvin
Sam Treat
Gene Sheldon
Harry Tupper
Bob Sweeney
Colonel Sam Castle
Richard Eastham
Jim Weaver
James Drury
Mademoiselle Jeanette
Barbara Beaird
Monsieur Ajax
Dennis Olivieri (as Dennis Joel)
Aunt Olive
Edith Evanson
Uncle Daniel
Tom Fadden
Bandleader
Ollie Wallace
The Marquis Family
The Marquis Chimps

Director
Charles Barton