The Littlest Outlaw
Encyclopedia
The Littlest Outlaw is a film produced by Walt Disney
. It was released by Buena Vista Distribution
on December 22, 1955. It was directed by Roberto Gavaldón
and written by Larry Lansburgh (story), and Bill Walsh
(screenplay).
It starred Pedro Armendáriz
as Gen. Torres, Joseph Calleia
as the Padre, and Andrés Velázquez as Pablito.
for approximately 10 years when he submitted the story treatment for The Littlest Outlaw. At the time, Lansburgh had directed several short films for Disney, mostly simple stories about animals. Bill Walsh
expanded the treatment into a screenplay and Lansburgh was retained as producer.
The entire film was shot in Mexico
, mostly around San Miguel Allende, with a bilingual English/Spanish cast. Because of this, the film was shot twice, once in English
and once in Spanish
, enabling it to be released directly into Spanish-speaking markets without the usual dubbing process.
spoke well of the child star Andres Velasquez, but most critics dismissed the film as a routine affair.
Walt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist, well-known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Along with his brother Roy O...
. It was released by Buena Vista Distribution
Buena Vista Distribution
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures is a motion picture and television feature distribution company owned by Disney Enterprises, Inc. Buena Vista International was the international distribution arm, Buena Vista Home Entertainment was the firm's video and DVD distribution arm, and Buena Vista...
on December 22, 1955. It was directed by Roberto Gavaldón
Roberto Gavaldón
Roberto Gavaldón was a Mexican film director.Eight of Gavaldón's films were featured on the list 100 Best Movies of the Cinema of Mexico...
and written by Larry Lansburgh (story), and Bill Walsh
Bill Walsh (producer)
Bill Walsh was a film producer and screenwriter who primarily worked on live-action films for Walt Disney Productions...
(screenplay).
It starred Pedro Armendáriz
Pedro Armendáriz
Pedro Armendáriz was a Mexican actor of the cinema of Mexico and Hollywood.-Early life:Born Pedro Gregorio Armendáriz Hastings in Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico to Pedro Armendáriz García-Conde and Adela Hastings . He was also the cousin of actress Gloria Marín...
as Gen. Torres, Joseph Calleia
Joseph Calleia
Joseph Calleia was a Maltese born American singer, composer, screenwriter and actor, both on Broadway and in film...
as the Padre, and Andrés Velázquez as Pablito.
Synopsis
Little Pablito is the ten year old son of a cruel horse trainer. The trainer is responsible for training a Mexican general's horse to jump for the grand race. The trainer's methods cause the horse to become afraid of jumping and the general orders the animal's death. Pablito runs away with the horse, becoming a fugitive. He travels throughout Mexico encountering several fugitives and a priest who tries to help.Production
Larry Lansburgh had been at the Walt Disney StudiosWalt Disney Studios
The name Walt Disney Studios may refer to:* The Walt Disney Company, especially its Studio Entertainment unit, which includes Disney's motion picture studios, music labels, theatrical production company, and distribution companies...
for approximately 10 years when he submitted the story treatment for The Littlest Outlaw. At the time, Lansburgh had directed several short films for Disney, mostly simple stories about animals. Bill Walsh
Bill Walsh
Bill Walsh may refer to the following:*Bill Walsh , coached San Francisco 49ers*Bill Walsh , center from Notre Dame*Bill Walsh...
expanded the treatment into a screenplay and Lansburgh was retained as producer.
The entire film was shot in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, mostly around San Miguel Allende, with a bilingual English/Spanish cast. Because of this, the film was shot twice, once in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and once in Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
, enabling it to be released directly into Spanish-speaking markets without the usual dubbing process.
Reception
The Littlest Outlaw received a mildly critical reception. VarietyVariety (magazine)
Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
spoke well of the child star Andres Velasquez, but most critics dismissed the film as a routine affair.