Pete’s Dragon (1977, Disney Movie) – 7/10

Helen Reddy: Nora Jim Dale: Dr. Terminus Mickey Rooney: Lampie Red Buttons: Hoagy Shelley Winters: Lena Gogan Sean Marshall: Pete Creator Elliott: Ken Anderson Animation Director: Don Bluth Animation Art Director: Ken Anderson Writer (Screenplay): Malcolm Marmorstein Writer (Original Story): Seton I. Miller Writer (Original Story): S.S. Field Producer: Ron Miller Producer: Jerome Courtland Director: Don Chaffey

Pete’s Dragon (1977) Pete has an unusual friend – a green magic dragon called Elliott who breathes fire and can disappear and reappear at will. 7/10 Much-sniffed-at live-action / animated Disney movie which is fine entertainment, especially for youngsters. While the acting is a bit hit-and-miss and the movie needed tightening in places, the songs are nice, drunk Mickey Rooney and Red Buttons are a hoot, Jim Dale does dastardly and the technical accomplishments are deceptively impressive. The real charmer, though, is Pete’s dragon himself, Elliott, and Don Bluth’s character animation is outstanding. It even has a sad happy ending. Version reviewed is the hundred-or-so-minutes edit without, staggeringly, the Oscar-nominated theme song Candle on the Water. This movie contains comic violence, unpleasant scenes. Classified U by BBFC. Universal: Suitable for All.