One Little Indian (1973 film)

Cast and production

The principal performers are listed below; each name links to an external reference placeholder for further reading. The film was directed by Bernard McEveety and produced and distributed by Disney's live-action unit.

• James Garner
• Vera Miles
• Pat Hingle
• Morgan Woodward
• Jodie Foster (one of her early film appearances)
• Robert Pine
• Bruce Glover
• Andrew Prine

Distribution and studio information may be found through the film's Disney connection: Walt Disney Pictures. The picture was made in the context of several family-oriented westerns produced by the studio in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Plot elements and themes

Set against a frontier backdrop, the film follows characters who navigate cross-cultural encounters, guardianship, and the contrast between military authority and domestic life. Its tone leans toward broad comedy and wholesome family drama rather than gritty realism. Like many studio westerns aimed at general audiences, the story emphasizes character moments, moral lessons, and a largely optimistic resolution.

Reception and context

Upon release the film attracted family audiences familiar with Disney's formula of gentle humor and clear moral beats. Contemporary reviews tended to note the charm of the lead performers and the film's appeal to younger viewers while pointing out its conventional approach to western subject matter. Over time it has been regarded as a modest example of early 1970s studio entertainment rather than a landmark of the genre.

Legacy and notable facts

One Little Indian is of interest to viewers today for several reasons: it showcases James Garner in a role consistent with his affable screen persona; it features Vera Miles and other veteran actors; and it includes an early screen appearance by Jodie Foster, who would later become a prominent figure in American cinema. Scholars and viewers sometimes discuss the movie in the broader context of Hollywood portrayals of the West and representations of Native American characters in family films, noting how such portrayals reflect the period's sensibilities.

For further information, the cast and production links above point to reference entries and resources for deeper research. These can provide credits, production notes, and archival context for readers who wish to explore the film's place within Disney's live-action catalog and 1970s American cinema.