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The Magic of Lassie

Catalog Number
MV300729
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VHS | N/A | Clamshell
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The Magic of Lassie (1978)

Additional Information

Additional Information
Newest, brightest, happiest film of the year!

This first Lassie film in nearly three decades (discounting the various feature-length compilations of Lassie TV episodes) is worth watching for its veteran cast. Lassie is legally wrested from freckled-faced Michael Sharrett by evil Pernell Roberts, who hopes that the kid's grandpa Jimmy Stewart will sell his valuable vineyards to "ransom" the dog. Roberts' scheme falls through, and Lassie makes her getaway, embarking upon a grueling trek to be reunited with her young master. Alice Faye, looking very well preserved, shows up to sing a song or two. Also contributing vocally are Pat Boone and Debby Boone and The Mike Curb Congregation; even Stewart gets to sing (he hasn't improved much since his last singing role in Broadway Melody of 1936, but you gotta love him). About the only cast member in The Magic of Lassie who doesn't sing is Mike Mazurki.

he Magic of Lassie is a 1978 Wrather Corporation film. It features James Stewart in one of only two musical film roles that he played (the first was in 1936's Born to Dance, in which Stewart introduced the Cole Porter standard Easy To Love). Mickey Rooney and Alice Faye also make cameo appearances in the film. The screenplay and song score are supplied by the prolific Sherman Brothers of Mary Poppins fame. Their song, "When You're Loved" was nominated for an Academy Award for "Best 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 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 semi-retired from acting.

Lassie lives with the Mitchell family on their winery in Northern California. She is happy with Clovis Mitchell and his two grandchildren who all love her. But one day, an unpleasant neighbor who is trying to buy the Mitchell winery decides that Lassie might be the dog that survived a fire at his place when she was a puppy. He convinces a reluctant Mr. Mitchell that he has a legal claim to the dog and takes her back to his estate in Colorado. Unhappy there, Lassie runs away and travels all the way back to California to her true home with the Mitchells.

Release Date: August 2, 1978

Distrib: International Picture Show

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