The Magic of Lassie *** (1978, James Stewart, Alice Faye, Mickey Rooney, Pernell Roberts) – Classic Movie Review 11,230

Director Don Chaffey’s 1978 The Magic of Lassie is a tuneful but tame musical reworking of the 1943 family favourite Lassie Come Home, with a story in which trade baron Jamison (Pernell Roberts) reclaiming Lassie from Clovis Mitchell (James Stewart) and his heartbroken grandchildren Kelly and Chris (Stephanie Zimbalist, Michael Sharrett). Jamison takes Lassie to his estate in Colorado Springs, Colorado, from where she escapes and has to run from Colorado to California to come home.

An ordinary score (and script) by the Sherman brothers, Richard M Sherman and Robert B Sherman (Mary Poppins), and sung by Pat and Debby Boone and Faye, includes the Oscar-nominated Best Original Song ‘When You’re Loved’.

For adults, there is a chance to see magic old-timers James Stewart, Alice Faye and Mickey Rooney, and for them it is worthwhile. Alice Faye sings ‘A Rose Is Not a Rose’.

Also in the cast are Gene Evans, Mike Mazurki, Robert Lussier, Lane Davies, William Flatley, James Reynolds, Rayford Barnes, W D Goodman and Hank Metheney.

It is written by Richard M Sherman (story and screenplay), Robert B Sherman (story and screenplay) and Jean Holloway (screenplay).

It is Stewart’s penultimate live-action film before his death on 2 July 1997, aged 89. He recalled he played the grandfather because it was the only family-friendly script offered. The film flopped and he decided to semi-retire, and the idea of a new Lassie TV show was scrapped. It was released in the UK in a double bill with the cinema version of The Incredible Hulk TV pilot.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,230

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com