The Magic of Lassie

The Magic of Lassie
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Don Chaffey
Produced by	William Beaudine Jr. Bonita Granville Wrather
Written by	Jean Holloway Robert B. Sherman Richard M. Sherman
Starring	James Stewart Michael Sharrett Lassie Pernell Roberts Mickey Rooney Stephanie Zimbalist Alice Faye
Music by	Songs: Richard M. Sherman Robert B. Sherman Score: Irwin Kostal
Cinematography	Michael Margulies
Edited by	John C. Harger
Production company	Lassie Productions
Distributed by	International Picture Show Company
Release date	August 2, 1978 (1978-08-02)
Running time	100 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$3 million

The Magic of Lassie is a 1978 American musical drama film directed by Don Chaffey, starring Lassie, James Stewart, Stephanie Zimbalist, Pernell Roberts, Michael Sharrett and cameo appearances by Mickey Rooney and Alice Faye (in her final film appearance). James Stewart is featured in one of only three musical film roles that he played: the first was Born to Dance (1936) in which he introduced the Cole Porter standard Easy To Love and the second was Pot O' Gold (1941). This was also his final onscreen appearance in a live-action 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 Original Song" and was sung by Debby Boone. It is also the only musical film featuring Lassie.

Released in the wake of Star Wars, the film was panned as old-fashioned and flopped at the box office. Critics expressed dismay at Stewart singing unmemorable songs as the grandfather. Following the film's failure he semi-retired from acting.

The Mitchell Vineyard, in the rolling hills of Northern California, is the very blood of Clovis Mitchell (James Stewart), a spare and dignified grandfather and guardian to Kelly (Stephanie Zimbalist) and her brother Chris (Michael Sharrett). But the heart of the household is Lassie, a handsome young collie, affectionate, obedient, sensitive and very wise. There's a threat in the air one night when Jamison (Pernell Roberts) and his associate Finch (Robert Lussier) appear at the winery and offer to buy the land from Clovis. They get a flat refusal from the old man while Lassie growls in the background. Jamison promises to return, and does, to claim Lassie, one of a litter he says escaped during a fire. She has a tattoo mark in her right ear to prove it. Clovis has no alternative but to give up the dog, and tells his heart-broken grandchildren. But Lassie has an alternative: taken by private plane to Jamison's home in Colorado Springs, fitted with a handsome green collar with gold studs, Lassie makes her escape. Chased by helicopter and kennel men through the rocks and hills of Colorado, Lassie manages to elude them and out stare a cougar before she joins up with new friends – Gus (Mickey Rooney), a down-at-heel wrestling manager and Apollo (Mike Mazurki), a kindly mountain of a man and Gus's so-called star.