Pete’s Dragon *** (1977, Sean Marshall, Mickey Rooney, Helen Reddy, Jim Dale, Red Buttons, Shelley Winters, Jim Backus, Jeff Conaway) – Classic Movie Review 3712

Don Chaffey directs Walt Disney’s modest 1977 musical mix of animation and live action, in which big green-and-purple, dopey magical cartoon dragon Elliott (created by animator Don Bluth, voiced by Charlie Callas) saves the nine-year-old sweet orphan kid Pete (Sean Marshall) from his nasty foster parents, the Gogans, and their horrible sons.

Pete and Pete’s Dragon find sanctuary and a home with lighthouse keeper Lampie (Mickey Rooney) and his daughter Nora (Helen Reddy) after much slapstick bumbling from corrupt Dr Terminus and Hoagy, played by Jim Dale and Red Buttons, who give jolly support stars performances. Elliott is Pete’s only friend and protector. As he can make himself invisible, he is usually only visible to Pete, landing Pete in trouble with the locals.

It also stars Shelley Winters and Jim Backus as Lena Gogan and Backus as the Mayor.

Pete’s Dragon is pleasant enough but it does not shine too much because the songs are only moderate (except for the two hit numbers ‘Candle on the Water’ [sung by Reddy] and ‘We Got the Bill of Sale Right Here’), the screenplay is too cosy and bland and the acting is variable (though Winters as Lena Gogan and Backus as the Mayor are good value). But it is still bubbly enough and it is much enlivened with an engaging cartoon star in animation by Ken Anderson. Malcolm Marmorstein’s screenplay is based on a story by Seton I Miller and S S Field.

‘Candle on the Water’ was Oscar nominated but lost to ‘You Light Up My Life’ from the film of that name. The movie was also Oscar nominated for Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Adaptation Score but lost to A Little Night Music.

Disney’s advertising is unusually informative: ‘His name is Elliott. He’s 20 feet high, 40 feet long. He can become invisible at the drop of a hat, or spew red hot flames. In fact, there’s only one way to bring this awesome beast under control… rub his tummy.’

The movie is set in Passamaquoddy, a small eastern Maine fishing community town in New England in the early 20th century, but was filmed in California.

Also in the cast are Joe E Ross, Ben Wrigley, Charles Tyner, Jeff Conaway, Gary Morgan, Dennis Stewart, Robert Foulk, Roger Price, Robert Easton, Jack Collins, Henry Slate, Al Checco, Walter Barnes, Cal Bartlett and Jane Kean.

It runs a lengthy 134 minutes, with cut versions at 121 minutes and 104 minutes.

Disney’s remake is ready for 2016.

After a prolific entertainment career for just seven years, Sean Marshall (born June 19 1965) retired from showbiz at 13 in 1978 for education at Notre Dame College Preparatory. After a Congressional appointment to the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York, in 1983, he graduated with a BS in Marine Transportation and an officer’s appointment in the US Maritime Service and the US Naval Reserve in 1987. Retirement at 13, hey, that’s nice!

Mickey Rooney died on 6 April 2014, aged 93. A former child star himself, he never retired, living to be a legend.

© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 3712

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