The Moon-Spinners Movie Review (1964)

Today, I present another Hayley Mills/Disney movie, her fifth, and this one had the ‘lucky honor’ of being her first on-screen kiss. Because that matters. Apparently. For this project, I’m focusing on the story itself, including dialogue, character development, any subplots, how a story presents itself, the speed at which it moves, if it slows down unnecessarily, etc.

A Brief Summary

(Taken from D23)

On vacation in Greece, an English woman and her young niece, Nikky, stumble into the midst of intrigue involving a young Englishman and jewel thieves who have hidden their loot in the vicinity of the tourist hotel. The young people survive a series of dangerous escapades with desperately serious criminals who try twice to kill. Determination and ingenuity eventually save the day and the youth not only clears his name, but wins the affection of a much-in-love young English lady.

What works

• I’m going to start off by saying that the story itself isn’t that bad (it really isn’t, no matter what I say below or as evidenced by what I say below). The plot is simple, the characters are colorful and the antagonists are good and pretty enjoyable which helps SO, SO MUCH.
  • The primary antagonist (Stratos) is a far better antagonist than the uncle in Kidnapped. Not just because he has more screentime than the uncle but his descent into desperation (not that he was ever really calm to begin with) was fabulous to watch and led to a great final fight scene.
    • That final fight scene was technically between Stratos, Mark, and Nikki, but really it was just a fight/wrestling scene between Stratos and Mark and it was highly entertaining to watch.
  • I love the contrast of the calm, scheming Consul and the desperate heated Stratos. It kept the stakes high for the plot and allowed for Nikki and Mark to change tactics throughout the movie than if they had just focused on one or the other antagonist.
• You know, at first, I questioned why Mark didn’t tell her anything (because he really doesn’t tell her much until later in the movie). But as Stratos became more and more desperate, it totally makes sense. Knowing Nikki’s character, she would do her best to keep the secret BUT she would ABSOLUTELY let something slip. Without a doubt, that girl can learn things quickly yet she cannot learn to keep her mouth shut.
• Alexis is so entertaining of a character, he just pops up places. He’s just happy-go-lucky and adorable. He’s not in the movie a ton which is good because he is an enjoyable but one-dimensional character (maybe two)
• Mrs. Campbell (the consul’s wife) is a bit of an oddity. I can’t quite tell where she falls in the grand scheme of things. I can’t tell how much she’s on the Consul’s side. An enigma in pearls.
  • There was a scene where Mrs. Campbell enters the room with this odd limp as if she injured her foot. As I was writing this note, I wondered if it was a ploy. Where she knows her husband did something bad and she’s trying to help Mark/Nikki get away. Also, the fact that the way she describes her life, she wants out. She’s bored, she’s tired, stuck basically (paraphrasing) on a rock with classical art and ‘not even an English club’.
    • she gave the leads the hint that Madame Habib was the prospective buyer of the stolen jewels. 
• The carnival/celebration scene was great to cause the distraction for Mark & Nikki to disappear and try to reach Madame Habib’s yacht
• Nikki does grow on me a bit. She genuinely does want to help and she does learn some things quickly.
  • As mentioned earlier, she does learn things quickly but she still has SO MUCH to improve on.
• She finally gets to tell the whole story to someone (Madame Habib)
  • M. Habib who KILLED it with her deadpan expressions. 

What may or may not work

• This movie in and of itself is a bit of an odd duck. No matter what I like about it, it is an odd duck of a film.
• The moon-spinners song (which opened the movie) was this slow weird song…kind of rubbed me the wrong way
• Stratos’ friend/somebody who was his accomplice (not the British consul) was weird. Like obviously Stratos would have a close person on his side but he doesn’t even really have a back story. Just a henchman and only for a small handful of scenes.
• Hayley Mills kind of clouds this movie a bit for me (as evidenced by the following notes). Strictly story-speaking, the story isn’t bad. It’s a decent mystery (which I always appreciate), the antagonists are good especially the British consul. Stratos is good with his crazed desperate determination. Mark is pretty level-headed and has a decent idea of how to take care of himself. Nikki is the over-enthused traveler who yearns for adventure and isn’t afraid to get involved.
  • Girl, I get that you want to protect Mark but you literally have never traveled before this trip. Calm down and use your head. 
• She’s WAY too eager to spend time with Mark. She just met the guy but is chatting/dancing, making plans to go swimming with him, . Girl, you just walked in on Stratos searching your room. But you’re not suspicious of Mark?
  • Fran knows what’s up. Getting all suspicious of Mark (not terribly so but still)
• It’s clear that he’ll be the love interest for Nikki but I don’t feel that there’s natural chemistry between the two. I actually do like Mark as the male lead and he actually does work well with Nikki, just not romantically
  • Ends with a hint at Mark and Nikki’s future wedding but still, not that much romantic chemistry.
• Her absolute trust in British subjects is convoluted. No, it’s actually fine, BUT she distrusted Stratos (deservedly) out his stooge pretty quickly but automatically trusted Mark (even though he’s a good guy) and the British Consul.
  • Exhibit A:
    • Mark, why don’t you tell him about Stratos?
      • No.
      • Why not, he’s the British consul?
      • Not yet.
        • (Very smart, Mark)

Honorable Mentions

• Favorite Quotes/Dialogue Bits (there were some great dialogue moments which made me all sorts of happy)
  • “you deserve to die a horrible lingering death and I hope you do.” – Nikki to Mark (earlier in the movie)
  • “no, no time make love. Uncle Stratos coming.” (they were hugging) Alexis
  • “For crying loud out.” – Alexis
  • But what are you going to do to me?” -Nikki
    • “I have not decided.”-Habib
  • Who’s Alexis? – Habib
    • Oh, he’s a boy in the village, he has a donkey. – Nikki
    • “Oh I see – Habib
  • the police are insisting that we turn back to Harakkian
    • we must do as they say, of course,
    • but madame
    • you should know by now I (elevates voice) always cooperate with the police
  • they couldn’t have lied The stars cannot lie. – Stratos
    • everybody lies when it serves their purpose even the stars. – Habib
  • “You didn’t think I would keep it, did you?” (yes)
    • the countess happens to be one of my oldest and dearest friends.” -habib

• Nikki and Alexis’s windmill ride was kind of cool to watch. The slipping/spinning as they hung onto the bars with Nikki then having an obviously expected dramatic near-fall.

Side Questions

• I swear, was there something in Hayley Mills’ contract to have the most lines in a movie?
• what’s their purpose for this trip?
  • it’s kind of explained later, they’re finding folk songs for a BBC program
• So she sent a telegraph. Who got it? Was it the kid? not fully explained.
• they’ve got suitcases and knapsacks and they’re wearing dresses. I don’t care if it’s the 60s. Is that even comfortable?
• How did Stratos drag her from the church to the windmill? I don’t even think I could see the church in any of the location shots. 
• This movie takes place over the course of 3 days? That’s a pretty fast adventure with the aunt sort of in the loop, mostly out of the loop.

Would I watch this movie again?

• Another to join the ‘with friends’ list. It wasn’t that bad but there are other Hayley Mills films that are better and more enjoyable than this one.

If you’ve seen The Moon-Spinners, what are some of your thoughts? Share in the comments below!

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