The Magic of Lassie (1978) Reviews

• Fair story

  calvertfan2002-09-25

  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

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• Very heartwarming/tearjerker

  kellydrz2006-09-15

  I LOVED this movie! I was probably 10 or 11 when I first saw this movie and I just cried and cried and cried. I didn't even have a dog when this movie came out and I was even afraid of dogs. But I even felt it when Lassie was taken away. Part of my appeal, too, was the soundtrack for this movie, which at the time, I thought was just great. I was very excited to actually recently find my favorite song from the movie (When You're Loved). And too, for some strange reason, I've always been a fan of Lane Davies and loved seeing him in this movie as well. I have told my daughter of this movie and we're planning on watching it tomorrow. I was not alive in the 50s to comment on Lassie then and Lassie now. All I know is it was a great boy/dog movie and it held my interest from beginning to end. This is definitely a family movie -- one I whole heartedly recommend. You will cheer, your children will cheer, and you will be closer for it.

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

  starcommand2005-07-18

  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.

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• Very good lassie movie

  The_Valley2002-12-13

  I'm not a fan of the show or any other movies lol but I enjoyed this one. I found it to be somewhat entertaining. The songs are corny and some of the things you'll see in this movie are weird (especially if you're a movie buff and know actors and actresses) and if you have kids they will enjoy it. It's a good family movie. 8/10 stars

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• It's still cute

  robert47702005-10-23

  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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