Treasure of Matecumbe (1976)

In 1869 Kentucky, a young boy and his friends set out to find a treasure chest hidden by his late father in the Florida Everglades during the Civil War.

Director:

Vincent McEveety

Writers:

Don Tait (screenplay), Robert Lewis Taylor (book)

Stars:

Robert Foxworth, Joan Hackett, Peter Ustinov

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Foxworth	...	Jim Burnie
Joan Hackett	...	Lauriette Paxton
Peter Ustinov	...	Dr. Ewing T. Snodgrass
Vic Morrow	...	Spangler
Johnny Doran	...	Davie Burnie
Billy 'Pop' Atmore	...	Thad (as Billy Attmore)
Jane Wyatt	...	Aunt Effie
Virginia Vincent	...	Aunt Lou
Robert DoQui	...	Ben
Don Knight	...	Skaggs
Mills Watson	...	Catrell
Dub Taylor	...	Sheriff Forbes
Valentin de Vargas	...	Charlie (as Val DeVargas)
Dick Van Patten	...	The Gambler
George Lindsey	...	Coahoma Sheriff

Storyline

In post-Civil War Kentucky, young Davie Burnie (Johnny Doran) becomes the unexpected heir to the family secret: a map leading to buried treasure on the Florida isle of Matecumbe. The youth, joined by four fellow adventurers, begins his search for the treasure despite deadly interference by his late father's archenemy. The angry threat of a hurricane and the presence of hostile Indians set the mood for the frantic trek to the swampy site, a destination that could provide untold wealth for the searchers, or for their evil pursuers.

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Plot Keywords:

treasure | buried treasure | florida | gold | cowboy | 

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Taglines:

Exciting Fun-Filled Adventure!

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Genres:

Adventure | Family | Western

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Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Trivia

Near the beginning of the movie, when Ben (Robert DoQui) is in the kitchen, there is a hidden Mickey behind him.

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Goofs

The Dixieland style street music prominently introduced in the New Orleans is at least 30 or 40 years ahead of its time.

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Quotes

Lauriette Paxton: Something old, something new. If you want it Nannie, it's your's to chew.

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Connections

Featured in Disney Dimanche: Episode #1.1 (1979)

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Soundtracks

Matecumbe
Written by Richard McKinley and Shane Tatum
Performed by Bahler, Olsson, Murray and Haas

User Reviews

X marks the spot.

Based on the book by Robert Lewis Taylor, the Disney production "Treasure of Matecumbe" is a mostly agreeable, lively, colorful period adventure. It may be overly intense - even objectionable - for some viewers, but it delivers entertainment in generous doses, for a somewhat over extended run time.

It begins in post Civil War Kentucky, as young boys Davie Burnie (Johnny Doran) and Thad (Billy 'Pop' Atmore) are forced to flee for their lives. You see, Davies' late father had buried some treasure on the Florida isle of Matecumbe, and a nasty villain named Spangler (Vic Morrow) also wants this booty. Spangler wants the map that has come into Davies' possession, and he and his goons pursue the kids every step of the way. Fortunately, some adults come to the kids' aid: quack medicine man Dr. Snodgrass (Peter Ustinov), runaway bride Lauriette Paxton (Joan Hackett), and Davies' own uncle Jim (Robert Foxworth).

Scripted by Don Tait, and directed with gusto by Vincent McEveety, "Treasure of Matecumbe" isn't harmless, but it does manage to be quite amusing and even exciting, especially during a climactic hurricane sequence. The production values and attempts to recreate a period feel are respectable, and fortunately the story does have a sense of humor at times. The pacing isn't always perfect, as there is some filler. The flatboat sequence is a case in point. Still, it does feature some irresistible music.

The cast is wonderful, all the way down the line. Ustinov in particular gets to be an eccentric scene stealer. The boys are appealing, and the villainy by Morrow is formidable. You'll notice a bunch of familiar faces in roles big and small: Jane Wyatt, Virginia Vincent, Robert DoQui, Don Knight, Mills Watson, Dub Taylor, Valentin de Vargas, Dick Van Patten, George Lindsey, Logan Ramsey, John Steadman, Brion James.

Good fun for people who enjoy a good treasure hunt movie.

Seven out of 10.

Details

Official Sites:

Disney's Official Site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 July 1976 (USA)

Also Known As:

Treasure of Matecumbe

Filming Locations:

Walt Disney's Golden Oak Ranch - 19802 Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Photophone Sound Recording)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.75 : 1