The Magic of Lassie
Encyclopedia
The 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.
. Lassie lives with Clovis Mitchell and his grandchildren, Chris and Kelly, but is discovered one day by her former owner. Lassie is taken back to the previous owner's estate in Colorado Springs. Dissatisfied with her new home, the dog runs away and travels across several states to be with the Mitchell family again.
James Stewart
James Stewart was a Hollywood movie actor and USAF brigadier general.James Stewart may also refer to:-Noblemen:*James Stewart, 5th High Steward of Scotland*James Stewart, the Black Knight of Lorn James Stewart (1908–1997) was a Hollywood movie actor and USAF brigadier general.James Stewart...
in one of only two musical film roles that he played (the first was in 1936's Born to Dance
Born to Dance
Born to Dance is an American musical film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and directed by Roy Del Ruth.The film stars dancer Eleanor Powell and was a follow-up to her successful debut in Broadway Melody of 1936...
, in which Stewart introduced the Cole Porter
Cole Porter
Cole Albert Porter was an American composer and songwriter. Born to a wealthy family in Indiana, he defied the wishes of his domineering grandfather and took up music as a profession. Classically trained, he was drawn towards musical theatre...
standard Easy To Love). Mickey Rooney
Mickey Rooney
Mickey Rooney is an American film actor and entertainer whose film, television, and stage appearances span nearly his entire lifetime. He has won multiple awards, including an Honorary Academy Award, a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award...
and Alice Faye
Alice Faye
Alice Faye was an American actress and singer, called by The New York Times "one of the few movie stars to walk away from stardom at the peak of her career." She is remembered first for her stardom at 20th Century Fox and, later, as the radio comedy partner of her husband, bandleader and comedian...
also make cameo appearances in the film. The screenplay and song score are supplied by the prolific Sherman Brothers
Sherman Brothers
The Sherman Brothers are an American songwriting duo that specialize in musical films, made up of Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman ....
of Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins (film)
Mary Poppins is a 1964 musical film starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, produced by Walt Disney, and based on the Mary Poppins books series by P. L. Travers with illustrations by Mary Shepard. The film was directed by Robert Stevenson and written by Bill Walsh and Don DaGradi, with songs by...
fame. Their song, "When You're Loved" was nominated for an Academy Award for "Best Song" and was sung by Debby Boone
Debby Boone
Deborah Anne Boone is an American singer and stage actress. She is best known for her 1977 hit, "You Light Up My Life," which spent a then record ten weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and led to her winning the Grammy Award for Best New Artist the following year...
. It is also the only musical film featuring Lassie.
Plot
The story begins on the Mitchell Winery in Northern CaliforniaNorthern California
Northern California is the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The San Francisco Bay Area , and Sacramento as well as its metropolitan area are the main population centers...
. Lassie lives with Clovis Mitchell and his grandchildren, Chris and Kelly, but is discovered one day by her former owner. Lassie is taken back to the previous owner's estate in Colorado Springs. Dissatisfied with her new home, the dog runs away and travels across several states to be with the Mitchell family again.
Cast
- Mickey RooneyMickey RooneyMickey Rooney is an American film actor and entertainer whose film, television, and stage appearances span nearly his entire lifetime. He has won multiple awards, including an Honorary Academy Award, a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award...
as Gus - Pernell RobertsPernell RobertsPernell Elvin Roberts, Jr. was an American stage, movie and television actor, as well as a singer. In addition to guest starring in over 60 television series, he was widely known for his roles as Ben Cartwright's eldest son, Adam Cartwright, on the western series Bonanza, a role he played from...
as Jamison - Stephanie ZimbalistStephanie ZimbalistStephanie Zimbalist is an American actress best known for her role as Laura Holt on the NBC detective series Remington Steele.-Background:...
as Kelly Mitchell - Michael SharrettMichael SharrettMichael Stuart Sharrett is an American actor who received a Young Artist Award nomination as the "Best Young Actor in a Horror Motion Picture" for his role as Tom in the 1986 witty sci-fi/horror movie Deadly Friend...
as Chris Mitchell - Alice FayeAlice FayeAlice Faye was an American actress and singer, called by The New York Times "one of the few movie stars to walk away from stardom at the peak of her career." She is remembered first for her stardom at 20th Century Fox and, later, as the radio comedy partner of her husband, bandleader and comedian...
as The Waitress (Alice) - Gene EvansGene EvansGene Evans was an American actor.He was born in Holbrook, Arizona, but reared in Colton, California. His acting career began while he was serving in World War II. He performed with a theatrical troupe of GIs in Europe. Evans made his film debut in 1947 and appeared in dozens of movies and...
as Sheriff Andrews - James StewartJames StewartJames Stewart was a Hollywood movie actor and USAF brigadier general.James Stewart may also refer to:-Noblemen:*James Stewart, 5th High Steward of Scotland*James Stewart, the Black Knight of Lorn James Stewart (1908–1997) was a Hollywood movie actor and USAF brigadier general.James Stewart...
as Clovis Mitchell - Mike MazurkiMike MazurkiMike Mazurki was an Austrian-born American actor and professional wrestler who appeared in over 100 movies. His towering 6' 5" presence and intimidating face usually got him roles playing tough guys, thugs, strong men, and gangsters.Mazurki was born as Mikhail Mazurkevych in Tarnopol, Galicia,...
as Apollo - Robert Lussier as Finch
- Lane DaviesLane Davies-Personal life:Davies was born in Dalton, Georgia, the son of Emily and Bill Davies. He has three brothers. He graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with cum laude honors for his degree in speech and theater. Currently, he resides in Georgia with his family...
as Allan Fogerty - William Flatley as Truck Driver
- James ReynoldsJames Reynolds (actor)James Reynolds is a long-time American dramatic television actor.Reynolds orignated the character of Abe Carver on the long running NBC dramatic serial Days of our Lives in 1981. He has been on contract with the show since 1981 with only two short breaks in 1991 and 2003 where he still appeared...
as Officer Wilson (as James V. Reynolds) - Rayford BarnesRayford BarnesRayford Barnes was an American film and TV character actor from Whitesboro, Texas who appeared in films, mainly westerns, such as Hondo, The Young Guns, The Burning Hills, The Wild Bunch, Fort Massacre, and Cahill U.S. Marshal...
as Reward Seeker - W.D. Goodman as Mighty Manuel
- Hank Metheney as Referee
- Buck YoungBuck YoungBuck Young was an American actor who played the role as "Sergeant Whipple" on the Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. TV series.In 1944, during World War II, Young was drafted into the US Army Air Corps...
as T.V. Announcer - David Himes as Father in Camper
- Ron Honthaner as Official
- Ed Vasgersian as Lee
- Bob Cashell as Ed
- Robyn Cawiezell as Girl in Casino
- Gary Davis as Motorcycle Officer
- Ralph Garrett as Kennelman
- Pete Kellett as Security Guard
- Klause Hense as Helicopter Pilot
- Carl NielsenCarl NielsenCarl August Nielsen , , widely recognised as Denmark's greatest composer, was also a conductor and a violinist. Brought up by poor but musically talented parents on the island of Funen, he demonstrated his musical abilities at an early age...
as Mr. Kern - Regina Waldon as Mrs. Kern