The Magic of Lassie (1978)

Directed by

Don Chaffey

Genre

drama film, musical film

Country

United States

Runtime

1h 40m

Rated

G

Rating

5.8 of 10 from 14 voters

Elsewhere

IMDb

How it feels

A grandfather and his granddaughter try to keep their beloved collie Lassie safe from a man who wants to take her away. The story follows their efforts as they travel and sing songs together.

wholesomesentimentalnostalgicold-fashionedslowmellowgentlemusical

What happens

The Magic of Lassie is a 1978 American musical drama film directed by Don Chaffey, and starring Lassie, James Stewart (in his final appearance in a domestically-released live action feature film), Stephanie Zimbalist, Pernell Roberts and Michael Sharrett, with cameo appearances by Mickey Rooney and Alice Faye (in her final film role). Stewart appeared in one of only three musical film roles that he played: the first was Born to Dance (1936) in which he introduced the Cole Porter standard "Easy To Love" and the second was Pot O' Gold (1941). The screenplay and song score are supplied by the prolific Sherman Brothers, who worked as staff songwriters for Walt Disney and wrote songs for his films such as Mary Poppins (1964). Their song "When You're Loved" was nominated for an Academy Award for "Best Original Song" and was sung by Debby Boone. It is also the only musical film featuring Lassie. Released in the wake of Star Wars, the film was critically panned as old-fashioned, and flopped at the box office. Critics expressed dismay at Stewart singing unmemorable songs as the grandfather. Following the film's failure, he semiretired from acting. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)

More like this

• Lassie: A New Beginning (1978)
• Courage of Lassie (1946)
• Lassie's Great Adventure (1963)
• Flight of the Cougar (1967)
• Countdown (1968)
• Lassie (1994)
• Challenge to Lassie (1950)
• Lassie Come Home (1943)