The Magic of Lassie (1978)

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Absolutely Brilliant!

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

Well I was ten years old when my parents took me to see The Magic of Lassie at Radio City Music Hall and I loved it because I loved Lassie and watched the t.v. show every morning. I thought it was a very good movie and I will always have that memory. My parents told me I started everyone crying. The acting was done very well in my opinion with a wonderful cast. I enjoyed the songs as well and looking back at that special memory I wouldn't change anything about the movie. It was a unique story and if the songs and the story made me cry it's because it had an emotional impact on me and I'm glad my parents took me because it's a memory I'll always treasure as they are both passed away. So maybe I'm biased because I've always had a special love for animals and I saw Lassie as my childhood hero, but it's okay because it was a positive experience for me.

"The Magic of Lassie" proves that you cannot teach Hollywood new tricks about an old dog. The famous collie, who has more sense than most humans, sets out to protect defenseless animals and return to her masters when she is unjustly taken away from them. "Lassie" movies and television shows are, of course, strictly formula entertainment. The plot and dogs are the same, with minor variations, only the human change. Indeed, this "Lassie" flopped so badly at the box office that James Stewart retired from acting and fans would have to wait until 1994 when "Cocoon: The Return" director Daniel Petrie made the new "Lassie" movie with Helen Slater of "Supergirl" fame. Since then a short-lived "Lassie" television series aired between 1989 and 1991, and director Charles Sturridge helmed "Lassie" with Peter O'Toole and Samantha Morton in 2005. "The Magic of Lassie" script by Jean Holloway of "Till the Clouds Roll By" from a story by Robert & Richard Sherman duplicates for the most part the classic story of "Forbidden Planet" director Fred M. Wilcox's "Lassie Come Home" with Roddy McDowall and Elizabeth Taylor, the first movie about "Lassie." Unquestionably, this "Lassie" entertains, but it lacks the pathos of the original as much as the production values.This time around Lassie belongs to grandpa Clovis (James Stewart of "It's A Wonderful Life") who owns the Mitchell Winery in Northern California. Clovis' young grandson, Chris (Michael Sharrett of "Deadly Friend") and teenage granddaughter, Kelly (Stephanie Zimbalist of TV's "Remington Steele") live with him now because their parents are dead. The conflict begins when nasty old Jamison (Pernell Roberts of TV's "Trapper John"), a millionaire too rich and greedy for his own good, tries to buy up Clovis' property. Naturally, Clovis refuses to sell out. Before Jamison leaves, he crosses paths with Lassie and man's best friend growls at him. Ironically, it turns out that Lassie really belongs to Jamison. Jamison owned Lassie's mom, and Lassie was his pet puppy. Somehow, Jamison lost Lassie and Clovis adopted the compassionate collie for his Chris. Anyway, Jamison claims ownership and Clovis has no alternative but to return Lassie to the villainous tycoon. Indeed, the dastardly Jamison wants to change Lassie's name to Heatherbelle. Lassie, however, refuses to be a part of Jamison's plans and escapes from Jamison's Colorado mansion."The Magic of Lassie" becomes a series of journeys for our eponymous pup. Chiefly, Lassie sets out to return to Clovis and Chris. Clovis' grandson complicates matters when he runs away to Colorado to find Lassie. Not surprisingly, Clovis resolves to track down both Lassie as well as Chris. At fade-out, the Mitchells are reunited with everybody's favorite collie. "The Magic of Lassie" builds up a full head of steam, but squanders its momentum at fade-out. The pacing of the action is anemic and uneven. Holloway is largely to blame for these faults. It looks as if half-way through the filmmakers decided to change the focus of the plot. Everything turns on Lassie and her struggle to get home. The potential action of a clash between Clovis and Jamison over the former's vineyards and Lassie's role in that could have been more rewarding.Credit must be given to "One Million Years B.C." director Don Chaffey for his very competent direction. The action moves swift and is pleasantly predictable. Among the film's few virtues is "Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry" lenser Michael Margulies' photography and camera-work as well as the rugged Utah scenery. The cast, including cameos by seasoned thespians Mickey Rooney, Alice Faye, Mike Mazurki, Gene Evans as well as the Mike Curb Congregation and Pat & Debbie Boone, is solid. Several musical interludes concisely highlight the film's themes without calling undue attention to them. Although it is far from being Oscar winning material, the G-rated "Magic of Lassie" provides ideal entertainment for children and grown-ups will invariably find it a refreshing change from the usual sex and violence in most films. Interestingly, the song "When You're Loved" received an Academy Award nomination for Best Song.

This film is defiantly hokey, but part of the reason I have a fondness for it is I saw it in Radio City Music Hall and the stage show featured Lassie, live and in person. Alice Faye also came out of a 25 year retirement to make this film. Her role before this was the Ann Margaret-Pat Boone remake of State Fair. Like the other poster said the great thing about this film is James Stewart, he makes the whole thing worthwhile. Debbie Boone was very popular at the time and there is actually a hard to find soundtrack album from this release. This film has not come out on DVD or even VHS as of 2005. I looked for it when I bought the Lassie box set of the television series.

This is basically a revamp of Lassie Come Home. James Stewart is forced into giving up the family pet when a sly neighbour says she belongs to him. He takes the dog from California all the way to Colorado but naturally she escapes and makes her way home, just as Stewart's grandson runs away to find her. It's all one big cross country adventure that just doesn't come off as well as LCH. The young boy is annoying, the songs are awful, and Mickey Rooney's cameo with a wrestler friend is just downright strange. But, James Stewart is a treat as usual, really the perfect grandfather. 7/10