A movie can become a family heirloom or treasure whose oft-quoted lines become part of how you communicate. 1953s The Kidnappers sometimes known as The Little Kidnappers is such a movie. My late father, when pouring a glass of milk, would say he was "tapping the goat". That might seem an odd thing to say to someone who hasn't seen The Kidnappers, but to us, it would be odd if he didn't say it.
Neil Paterson adapted the screenplay from his own short story Scotch Settlement. The film was shot in England by director, later producer, Philip Leacock. Highly thought of at the time of its release, The Kidnappers young stars Jon Whiteley and Vincent Winter were each awarded Honorary (juvenile) Oscars. The film was nominated for the Grand Prize of the Festival at Cannes. BAFTA nominations included Best British Actor for Duncan Macrae, Best British Film and Best Film From Any Source.
Vincent Winter, Jon WhiteleyHonorary Oscar Winners
Set in Nova Scotia at the turn of the 20th century, the story of The Kidnappers concerns two orphaned brothers from western Canada sent to live with their grandparents in Nova Scotia. Harry (Jon Whiteley), the eldest brother is serious and thoughtful. Newly five Davy (Vincent Winter) is lively and curious. The granddaddy, Jim MacKenzie (Duncan Macrae), is not a mean man, but one who has found in his way in life through discipline and hard work. He has never learned the art of relating to the young.
MacKenzie's hardbound ways drove his son away who married and settled at the far end of the country. Prior to their mother's death from illness, young Harry and Davy's father was killed in the Boer War. Jim MacKenzie's bitterness at his son's death is heightened by a land dispute with Dutch neighbours, the Hoofts. His daughter Kirsty's (Adrienne Corri) affection for the widowed Dr. Bloem (Theodore Bikel) doesn't have a chance under her father's harsh family rule.
MacKenzie's hardbound ways drove his son away who married and settled at the far end of the country. Prior to their mother's death from illness, young Harry and Davy's father was killed in the Boer War. Jim MacKenzie's bitterness at his son's death is heightened by a land dispute with Dutch neighbours, the Hoofts. His daughter Kirsty's (Adrienne Corri) affection for the widowed Dr. Bloem (Theodore Bikel) doesn't have a chance under her father's harsh family rule.
Vincent Winter, Jon Whiteley, Jean AndersonDuncan Macrae, Adrienne Corri
The lonely youngsters ask their granddaddy for a dog and the old man dismisses the idea. It is simply not practical and to illustrate his position he explains to the boys that "you can't eat a dog". Fearsome as Jim MacKenzie seemed to the boys before, this pronouncement turns him into an ogre.
The neighbouring Hooft children are many and when playing, the youngest is inadvertently left alone. A sense of duty toward the abandoned tyke and joy at having something to love turn Harry and Davy into little kidnappers.
Davy: "Are we going to keep it forever?"
Harry: "I don't know... We'll keep it for a year or two anyways, until it's got a mind of its own - and then, if it wants to hit the trail, there won't be no stopping it."
Harry: "I don't know... We'll keep it for a year or two anyways, until it's got a mind of its own - and then, if it wants to hit the trail, there won't be no stopping it."
Anthony Michael Heathcoat as Baby Girl HooftVincent Winter
The last act of the movie concerns the impact of the loss, the search for the baby, and the discovery of the perpetrators. Lessons are learned and lives are changed.
The Kidnappers is a unique story, charmingly told with affection for human nature and an unassuming wit. A true treasure from the trove of classic films.
