The Magic of Lassie (1978)

Director:

Don Chaffey

Writers:

Jean Holloway (writer)
Richard M. Sherman (story)

Release Date:

2 August 1978 (USA)

Genre:

Family | Drama

Tagline:

Newest, brightest, happiest film of the year!

Plot Keywords:

Dog | Lassie | Wrestler | Animal Name In Title | Dog Actor

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Rayford Barnes	...	Reward Seeker
Mary Bennett	...	Member of the Mike Curb Congregation
Nanci Bergman	...	Member of the Mike Curb Congregation
Bob Cashell	...	Ed
Robin Cawiezell	...	Girl in Casino
Lynda Chase	...	Member of the Mike Curb Congregation
Eddie D'Angelo	...	Member of the Mike Curb Congregation
Lane Davies	...	Allan Fogerty
Gary Davis	...	Motorcycle Officer
Gene Evans	...	Sheriff Andrews
Alice Faye	...	The Waitress (Alice)
William Flatley	...	Truck Driver
Ralph Garrett	...	Kennelman
W.D. Goodman	...	Mighty Manuel
Klause Hense	...	Helicopter Pilot
David Himes	...	Father in Camper
Ron Honthaner	...	Official
Roger Jenkins Jr.	...	Member of the Mike Curb Congregation
Pete Kellett	...	Security Guard
Lassie	...	Lassie
Robert Lussier	...	Finch
Mike Mazurki	...	Apollo
Mark McGee	...	Member of the Mike Curb Congregation
Hank Metheney	...	Referee
Carl Nielsen	...	Mr. Kern
James Reynolds	...	Officer Wilson
Pernell Roberts	...	Jamison
Mickey Rooney	...	Gus
Michael Sharrett	...	Chris Mitchall
Maureen Smith	...	Member of the Mike Curb congregation
James Stewart	...	Clovis Mitchell
Ed Vasgersian	...	Lee
Regina Waldon	...	Mrs. Kern
Buck Young	...	T. V. Announcer
Stephanie Zimbalist	...	Kelly Mitchell

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

UK:U | USA:G

Company:

Lassie Productions

Trivia:

Released in the UK as part of a double bill with the theatrical version of The Incredible Hulk TV pilot.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: Jamison takes Lassie to his estate in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she escapes. You see her running, chased by a helicopter, and she finally goes over what looks like a cliff. In the next scene she gets up and limps away, but suddenly she is in Zion National Park, which is in Utah.

Movie Connections:

Version of Courage of Lassie (1946)

Soundtrack:

When You're Loved

The songs are wonderful, as are Jimmy Stewart and Mickey Rooney

If you love catchy, melodic songs (a couple of which could have been hits!), you will love this movie. The endearing performances of Jimmy Stewart and Mickey Rooney, both of whom sing, also make this a must-see for their fans.

The story and script is just OK otherwise, standard boy-and-his-dog adventure.

It's a shame that the soundtrack album has not been released on CD. I bought the LP on a whim, having not seen the film, and was struck by the high quality of the songwriting and performances. Highlights are "When You're Loved", sung by Debby Boone, which should have been a hit, "That Hometown Feeling" sung by Stewart (quite well for a non-singer), "Travelin' Music" sung by Rooney, and "Banjo Song" by the Mike Curb Congregation in one of their last recorded appearances.