Python Hyena Pete's Dragon (1977): Dir: Don Chaffey / Cast: Helen Reddy, Mickey Rooney, Jim Dale, Red Buttons, Sean Marshall: Live animation musical about a boy named Pete whose friend is a dragon named Elliott. It is an intriguing family film about control and the overuse of the imagination. He spirits Pete away from nasty relatives. They enter a small town where Elliott is sighted by a drunken old man whose daughter provides shelter. Elliott can render himself invisible and when he walks through a school house he is targeted by con men seeking profit. Plot is complex in dealing with the need for adult role models as well as presenting an array of colorful musical numbers. Directed by Don Chaffey who previously made Jason and the Argonauts. Imaginative film with engaging performances by Helen Reddy as a young woman who begins with an energetic bar room dance segment then she locks into possible adoption of Pete before saving him from certain danger. Mickey Rooney plays her drunken father who goes hysterical upon seeing Elliott, then assists Reddy in dealing with Pete. Jim Dale, and Red Buttons play the scheming con men who attempt to capture Elliott at any cost . Sean Marshall plays Pete, the orphan running from abusive relatives, and could align with a brand new start. Message of friendship underlined with an engaging animated character. Score: 9 / 10

myspecialparadise Another classic from Disney ... this is a movie I actually find myself watching ... and smiling. The talent is a mixture of classic actors from an era long gone, and replaced, all too often, by actors that just don't have the magic needed to engulf us with a hundred and one emotions.Red Buttons, Shelley Winters, Mickey Rooney, and many of the musical industries best dancers that have worked with stars like Jane Powell, Shirley Jones, and Kathryn Grayson. I did notice one of the male dancers that was also dancing up a storm in Seven Brides For Seven Brothers.Sean Marshall is the perfect Pete ... and it was refreshing to hear someone else say that entertaining is wonderful, but the fame is the pits! I often wonder how people like the stars of this little gem deal with the fame. Imagine having perfect strangers running up to you ... wanting autographs, and to just touch you, as if whatever you've got may rub-off on them.Helen Reddy was excellent as Nora ... the entire cast was perfect casting. If you are into feel good musicals ... on one of those rainy blue Mondays ... this film is for you.The songs are catchy ... you'll have them roaming through the corridors of your mind for days! That's Entertainmant!

Blueghost I saw this movie a number of times on HBO, but, Ironically enough, I can't remember too much about it. I remember when it was first advertised for the theatres, and shrugging my shoulders at it as a kids' film. A friend of mine really took to it, but I don't recall anything too extraordinary about it.The old "out of the ink well" animation formula is taken to the extreme when a young boy who comes across a sleepy coastside Hamlet discovers intrigue among the locals. His special medieval mythical fire-breathing (and flying) friend aids him in his search for a family and to right a wrong.To be honest, I never got the whole thing, but it was fun for what it was. Not a film I would own in my collection ... unless the wife and kids wanted it. Don't get me wrong, it's a very fine children's film, my tastes just lie elsewhere.Give it a whirl on the old DVD player, and watch it with the family.Enjoy.

clm12704 This is one of the best musicals of all time, right up there with The Sound of Music. Yes, I have a lot of nostalgia as I had this on Betamax growing up and wore it out... but now I'm watching it with my own kids and they love it just like I did. This movie holds up and translates well to all generations.The songs are fantastic, but my least favorite is the one it may be most known for (Candle on the water). Lampie... Doc Terminus... they're all just really, really good performances of well written songs.It has everything a musical needs. Great acting, great singing, great choreography, great story, and a lot of heart. The live action/animation is really good for the time, so there's no reason to get hung up on that. Plus Elliot is awesome.I honestly can't understand how this is under 9 stars.