Comments on: The Corcoran Syndrome

By: Lost Travellers

Lost Travellers — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:05:07 +0000

When travelling in Australia I was surprised how relaxed about the shark danger most Austalians seemed to be. I would never go in the water expecially in the south where they have many Great White sightings!

By: jbl

jbl — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 05:29:38 +0000

This was one of my favorite films for a long time. Despite what you say, the scene with Kirk Douglas singing “Whale of a Tale” on the deck of the warship stays with me.

But primarily as a budding science fiction fan — judging by its release date I very likely first saw it on the Disney TV show and then theatrically on its first re-release — I found this movie and then the book inspirational. Despite all that I can see wrong with it now, I still enjoy it once a year or so (with a rewind or two to the song).

By: Mr.Sardonicus

Mr.Sardonicus — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 22:14:59 +0000

interesting article; I enjoyed your input… how about some info about some lesser known disney efforts such as… “corky & white shadow” w/ Buddy ebson & Darlene Gillespie… “the sign of Zorro” … Guy Williams… “Real Name – armondo Catolono… buy the way… & lets not forget the
hardy Boys entrys… “Mystery of the applegate treasure” & Mystery of Ghost farm” … co starring Andy Clyde… From the lassie series not to mention all his contributions to movies & tv… and lets not forget fess parkers.. “westward Ho! The wagons..Co- starring a bearded George reeves in his last film appearence… any way I really enjoyed this article.. even if Disney construction did lay me off for the holidays!!!!1

By: Joe aka Mongo

Joe aka Mongo — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 03:30:18 +0000

Moira, it’s funny, I just saw a spot on TCM with an adult Kevin Corcoran discussing his role in the up coming “Old Yeller”.
He sill has some of his features he had especially around the eyes. And this time he was a ‘good boy’.
I’m looking forward to the Disney films on TCM this month.

By: moirafinnie

moirafinnie — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:07:58 +0000

Hi Jenni and Suzi, ~~Thanks a millio~~,er--make that thanks at least 20,000 times for your comments! I like Kevin Corcoran still, (check out "Toby Tyler", an old Disney series or his Moochie character in "Spin and Marty" for evidence of this kid's real talent in portraying endearingly flawed kids a bit closer to reality). As a gray-haired adult who has worn a variety of hats behind the camera since abandoning center stage, his comments on several dvd tracks of Disney movies are also enlightening and entertaining. However, someone should have reined in the lad's over-the-top antics at times. Of course, on reflection, I realize that the reason that his characterizations cut a bit too close to the bone for comfort today might be because I was awfully like him too. The youngest, the most stubborn and willful, and perhaps, the most shamelessly manipulative. And who wants to re-live being an annoyance to your family? Well, maybe sometimes... Btw, Jenni, The sister of Kevin that you mentioned was Donna Corcoran, (there were eight Corcoran siblings in all, each of whom seemed to pop up in movies at some time during the fifties and sixties, with sis Noreen especially memorable in the "Bachelor Father" series). Donna's first role in the movies, as a really engaging little girl who "sees" things, was in Angels in the Outfield (1951). I think her down to earth quality grounds the movie and particularly like her scenes with gruff Paul Douglas in that one. Suzi, I know it is fatal to watch it, but I'll probably break down and view at least part of Old Yeller when it's on this Sunday. As Kevin's brother, Tommy Kirk, who is too often forgotten in this film, gives a moving performance as a boy who is compelled to break his own heart in order to help those he loves. I'd love to see that photo of Kevin and Spike (the Rudd Weatherwax trained dog who played Yeller). Okay, replying to you two has made me realize that as obnoxious as he comes across, Kevin Corcoran was doing his job as manfully as a little guy could be expected to do in those movies, (though I still think that the script, editor and director let the lad down by emphasizing his mugging.) Still, there is no excuse for Kirk Douglas, is there!? ;-)

By: Suzi Doll

Suzi Doll — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:17:27 +0000

Before I saw Hayley Mills in The Moonspinners, I wanted to be Kevin Corcoran, mostly because he was always in these Disney adventures. I have a photo of him on my office wall from OLD YELLER, in which he is sharing a bottle of Coke with the dog who played Old Yeller. I am not sure if I would feel the same way now, but this is something I would have done as a kid.

By: Jenni, St. Louis

Jenni, St. Louis — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:30:40 +0000

I always enjoyed 20,000 Leagues, and thank you for the interesting behind the scenes look at it’s creation.

As a teen, I couldn’t stand Kevin Corocoran’s performances in Old Yeller and Swiss Family Robinson! I used to wish Old Yeller would have bit him! Such whining and disbedience-arrgh!!

However, I have recently seen his sister act in 2 movies TCM showed this summer, Scandal at Scourie, which starred Greer Garson and Walter Pidgen, and in the original Angels in the Outfield. This child actress was refreshing to watch compared to her brother’s roles as a frantic brat. She portrayed calm children, sincere in their beliefs, and only wanting to have a home one day-both were orphan roles. In hindsight, I guess Kevin and his sister were good at what they portrayed, and it’s not his fault he was usually chosen to be a brat.