Napoleon and Samantha *** (1972, Michael Douglas, Jodie Foster, Johnny Whitaker, Will Geer) – Classic Movie Review 9491

Director Bernard McEveety’s 1973 children’s movie Napoleon and Samantha stars youngsters Johnny Whitaker and Jodie Foster as 11-year old Napoleon and his friend Samantha, who take off with their best pal Major the Lion in search of kindly Danny (Michael Douglas), whom they hope will look after them after Napoleon’s grandfather (Will Geer) dies.

Foster and Whittaker are very winsome in this ultra-cute Walt Disney Productions fare, with Zamba (as Major McTavish), the veteran leonine star (he had been in Tarzan both on the big screen and on TV), barely able to keep his eyes open through the filming.

Also in the cast are Arch Johnson, Henry Jones, Vito Scotti, John Crawford, Mary Wickes, Ellen Corby, Rex Holman, Claude Johnson and John Lupton.

The writer is Stewart Raffill.

Jodie Foster and Johnny Whitaker paired up again for Tom Sawyer (1973), in which Whitaker gives Foster her first on-screen kiss.

Ellen Corby and Will Geer later played Grandma and Grandpa in the Waltons.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9491

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