The Moon-Spinners (1964)

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

Absolutely the worst movie.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

Back in the early 1960's - Hayley Mills was easily recognizable as one of the most idealized movie-teens of that era. This was the era of "so-called" innocence before the drug-crazed counter-culture bulldozed its way into our collective consciousness, utterly destroying that innocence forever.Pretty, blonde, bright, and a very competent, young actress in her own right - Mills starred in numerous light-weight comedy/dramas throughout the early part of that shaky decade. The Moon-Spinners was definitely one of Mills' better films.Released in 1964 - The Moon-Spinners was intended to be Disney's attempt at some "Hitchcock"-like intrigue, with a touch of sugar-coated comedy and romance thrown in for good measure.The Moon-Spinners may be just light-weight drama to most, but, all the same, it is thoroughly enjoyable movie-entertainment for all ages.As an added bonus - Silent-Screen star, Pola Negri appeared in this flick as the wicked villainess, Madame Habib. Negri had been absent from the screen since 1943.

I cannot believe I saw this movie on the list of Hayley Mills' best films! It's so awful! Yes there is adventure, there is romance, there is mystery, and none of them is well done. The adventure is so clumsy, and the excitement of it is often interrupted by the annoying romantic moments. For the first hour nobody knows what the heck is going on, and the big mystery seems more like child play. Feels like the plot was written by a ten year old. This movie is also so unnecessarily long, two thirds of the scenes can be edited out and it wouldn't affect the plot at all!Also... why would a(any) girl have trouble coming up with an excuse for blood stains on a cloth???

The "moon-spinners" from '64, is latter-day Disney fare, so there's a surprising amount of bite to the story, for a Hayley Mills film. Hayley, who never looked more lovely, plays young Nikki Ferris, on vacation with her Aunt on Crete. The locations are absolutely gorgeous! Hayley is soon mixed up with compatriot Mark Camford and they become embroiled in jewel theft and attempted murder.The film does drag a bit at times, but you can always look at Mayley, a windmill stunt is fun and Eli Wallach has a juicy part as the villainous Stratos. Unfortunately the great Irene Papas is wasted as his sister, who clearly doesn't approve. Some characters introduced very late in the story don't quite make sense, still its an exciting mystery and one does want to see how it turns out.The "Moon-Spinners" is a good family film. It does contain some violence and a bit of bloodshed, so I guess this would be "PG", but its really just fine for ten and up. Recommended for fans of Disney live-action and Hayley Mills.

Based on Mary Stuart's novel, The Moon-Spinners is a nice and amusing adventure comedy. Constructed a little bit like an Hitchcock movie, where tension is building up slowly but surely and where many characters are not always what they seem to be, it is filled with memorable scenes (the escape from the windmill, for example) and good humor. Although she may not be as sparkling as in Pollyanna or The Parent Trap, Hayley Mills is nevertheless still the star of the show, both charming and endearing. Furthermore, as a beautiful grown up, she is portraying a modern heroin, not afraid to take charge of her own detective work. As the villain, Eli Wallach is also particularly brilliant. Eventually, the music and, especially, the title song by Terry Gilkyson are lively and enchanting.