The Magic of Lassie

August. 02,1978      G
Rating:
5.5
Trailer Synopsis Cast

Lassie is claimed from his family by a "former owner" and then braves a cross country trip to rejoin the ones that love her.

Mickey Rooney as  Gus
Pernell Roberts as  Jamison
Stephanie Zimbalist as  Kelly Mitchell
Michael Sharrett as  Chris Mitchell
Alice Faye as  The Waitress (Alice)
Gene Evans as  Sheriff Andrews
James Stewart as  Clovis Mitchell
Mike Mazurki as  Apollo
Lane Davies as  Allan Fogerty
James Reynolds as  Officer Wilson

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Reviews

PiraBit
1978/08/02

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

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Invaderbank
1978/08/03

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

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Griff Lees
1978/08/04

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

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Zlatica
1978/08/05

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

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dorothyofoz-55521
1978/08/06

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.

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Theystillcallmebee
1978/08/07

Unfortunately, this film came out at the time when families were really pulling apart and it seems that nobody wanted to sit with mom and dad and watch a family film. We grew up with a collie and, of course, what do you think her name was? I first saw this film on HBO and my good friend, a real hard core kind of person, was sitting with me bawling her eyes out! I have tons of Lassie movies and of course this was also added to my collection! I never get tired of Lassie, but then again, I grew up in the era of only three TV stations and we learned to appreciate what we had then. James Stewart did a fine job in this movie and because it was one of his last ones, of course I cherish it! Just watch it on a day you feel like crying; I guarantee it will bring the tears down your face....

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Neil Doyle
1978/08/08

When THE MAGIC OF LASSIE opened at Radio City Music Hall, I was foolish enough to believe it would be as heart-warming as some of the first Lassie films were. Not.The story was abysmal, the songs by the Sherman brothers were way below their usual level, the characters were uninspired and JAMES STEWART and MICKEY ROONEY had both seen much better days.Then too, I was interested in seeing what ALICE FAYE's contribution would be like, since she'd been absent from the screen for so many years and was always so fetching in her earlier roles at Fox. Alice too, was letdown by the foolish script and the unflattering photography. Another disappointment.Nothing original here, nothing even remotely interesting for an adult to enjoy--and clearly, no magic present for anyone. You can skip this one without missing a thing.

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Robert Rauschenbach
1978/08/09

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.

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