Today’s “SVS?” My (Almost) Favorite Dean Jones Film

Last updated on: September 4, 2015 at 12:37 pm by Joseph Susanka

Today’s “SVS?” My (Almost) Favorite Dean Jones Film 2015-09-04T12:37:27-06:00 Joseph Susanka

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Most of the obituaries and testimonials regarding recently-departed Disney legend Dean Jones have focused on what many consider his most-beloved (or at least best-known) work, The Love Bug. Followed, in most cases, by references to That Darn Cat! and (sometimes) The Shaggy DA. The first and third are available on Amazon Instant HERE($) and HERE($), and while they’re both excellent example of a particular kind of Disney film (and entertaining enough), they’re not the film I would first propose if someone were to ask me for a fitting way to commemorate Mr. Jones’ impressive filmography.

There’s a slight hitch, though. Because my very favorite Jones role isn’t actually a role. It’s just Jones playing himself in D.A. Pennebaker’s Company: Original Cast Album documentary. Which, sadly, is pretty difficult to find (and pretty pricey if you do find it). So I’m going to go with something that’s a lot more easily and reasonably acquired (but still Pretty Darn Favorite!):

And that’s Blackbeard’s Ghost, of course. One of my fondest childhood memories. (And by “fondest childhood memories,” I mean “Yes, I’ve re-watched it with the boys, many years later. And I still love it. It still really works.”)

Got $3? Go to AMAZON INSTANT($) or YOUTUBE($) or GOOGLE PLAY($) and enjoy! (I realize that I’m going against my Standard Practice of only recommending things that are part of a subscription service, but the only Dean Jones film available on NETFLIX INSTANT is Clear and Present Danger — fun flick, I suppose, but not exactly a Jones showcase. And on AMAZON PRIME INSTANT? Something called Mandie and the Secret Tunnel that looks thoroughly “Meh.”)

Award-winning actor Peter Ustinov stars in this hilarious fantasy as the ghost of the legendary pirate Blackbeard. The once black-hearted scoundrel materializes in a small New England town, cursed to wander in limbo until he performs a good deed. He gets his chance when he decides to help a local college track team…that hasn’t a ghost of a chance of winning! Blackbeard finds himself full of team spirit, and dispensing his own brand of invisible coaching in this warmhearted comedy that will have you laughing from his first fade-in to his final fade-out!

https://youtu.be/0pgOSllKF_0

One of the things that separates this film from Jones’ other famous Disney works is that he’s not actually the star. Because this film reveals Ustinov to be as reckless and impenitent (and charming) a scene-stealer as has ever been. And playing a (mildly) back-seat role actually serves Jones well. As a lead, I often felt that he was trying just a hint too hard. But here, he doesn’t have to dominate, and the resulting Jones-ian demeanor and chemistry is great. His best stuff, in my opinion.

You know what else is great? The instantly-recognizable (if still, somehow, underappreciated) Elsa Lanchester as Emily Stowecroft. She pretty near steals the scenery right out from under Ustinov, which I would have thought well nigh impossible if I didn’t see it with my own eyes. (Joby Baker’s Silky Seymour is also a blast. There’s something about these Godolphin and Medfield villains that just works so well in context. They’re imposing enough to get the threatening job done, but not so scary as to actually alter the happy-go-lucky tone of the films.)

Blackbeard: I did have a treasure. I had a big treasure. Lovely, I did. But I spent it all in one week. Among the flesh pots and gambling hells of Port Royal oh what a glorious week!

Steve Walker: Oh you know what you are? You are a total loss you’re not even a respectable ghost! You’re a phoney! A phoney!

Attribution(s): All posters, publicity images, and stills are the property of Walt Disney Pictures and other respective production studios and distributors.

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