The Times from Shreveport, Louisiana · Page 42

6-n Frl., Dec. 30, 1977 THE RHREVEPORT TIMES ; it's frisiar ! it's fridLay ! iUi's fridLay ! it's f riday I H cf : ' ' ' iS: f Y - ' v . v" ; jaw M v h : U-'YY" - 1 ; - Disney film is real fire-breather By Joe Leydon Times Entertainment Editor "Pete's Dragon," this year's big holiday attraction from Walt Disney Productions, is a glossy and generally entertaining musical fantasy which parents can enjoy just as much as their children certainly will. The kids will find it fun to identify with Pete (Sean Marshall), a poor orphan boy who escapes from his cruel foster parents with the help of his amazing friend, a lovable (though rather clumsy) dragon named Elliott. Thanks to Elliott, Pete is able to flee to a small New England fishing town, where he is befriended by a drunken lighthouse keeper (Mickey Roonev) and his tombovish v daughter (Helen Reddy ). Pete s talk of a dragon companion is dismissed as childish fantasy by everyone but the lighthouse keeper, whose sighting of the beast is thought to be the result of a Movie in review drunken delusion. But the dragon tales are believed by a flamboyant medicine peddler (Jim Dale) and his bumbling companion (Red Buttons), and they scheme to steal the dragon and sell various parts of the creature's anatomy. The blending of the animated dragon with live action scenes is accomplished with striking skill, a credit to animation directors Ken Anderson and Don Bluth. To give the beast its engagingly eccentric personality, Charlie Callas has provided Elliott with a good-natured mumble which is far more expressive than most of the dialogue spoken by humans in the film. Whenever Elliott Isn't around, whether visible or invisible, "Pete's Dragon" tends to drag a bit, though director Don Chaffey does his best to keep the slapstick sequences amusing, and Onna White choreo graphs some fine dances. Elliott Is by Shelley Winters and Charles so captivating, however, that the Tyner. film seems to slow down whenever he Sean Marshall Is pleasant enough Jsnot around. bs Pete, unitl he tries to sing; even Actually, "Pete's Dragon" is far he dragon's mumbling would be too long well over two hours to preferable to Marshall's flat vocaliz- prevent any normal child from oc- ing. The songs themselves, written casionaUysquirming with boredom, by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn, FnrtnnaMv. the nerformances bv are mostly forgettable ditties, ex- the human cast members are so cept for "Candle on the Water, a winning that even the most active haunting number sung very well by child's restlessness will be abated, if Miss Reddy, through it sounds more not completely stilled. Helen Reddy demonstrates a charming screen presence and a flair for musical comedy as the like a pop-rock cut from one of her albums rather than part of the "Dragon" score. "Pete's Dragon" may not be the best film to come from Walt Disney lighthouse keeper's daughter; her Productions in recent years - "The acting is far more accomplished shaggy D A." was really funnier, than anyone might have expected after her debut in "Airport-1975." Mickey Rooney and Red Buttons ham things up as hilariously as only old pros can, and Jim Dale makes a lively (but not too menacing) bad guy as Dr. Terminus, the medicine peddler. The real hissable villains of and "Island at the Top of the World" was much more exciting but this new film is an enjoyable fairy tale, complete with a happy ending, and it is difficult to resist its high spirited charm. (Now playing at the South Park Cinema, "Pete's Dragon" is rated the piece, though, are Pete's foster G. What else would you expect from parents, overplayed with slimy elan a Walt Disney film?) Elliott swings Helen Reddy, Sean Marshall CA016RINUS RESTAURANT The classic French ftltelian Cusinc HOURS Monday-Friday 1 1:30 AM. -2 PM. (Lunch & Dinner) 6:00 PM.-lO-.00 PM. Upen Friday til 10:30 PM. & Saturday (Dinner Only) 6:00 PM.-1 1 .00 P. M. I ' 'i, j I.- i We suggest reservations, ijij Jacket required. 1601 Spring St.g Reservations, Call 227-1456 f TRV THE NEWEST BUFFET IN TOWN I EVERY (SIGHT JUKD KOOH OX SUNDAY ! ALL THE CATFISH ! ALL TH FRIED CHICKEN i YOU CAN EAT I BUFFET STYLE Rus- BLACK-ETED PEAS AND HOG JOWLS A I Soup Slaw c Potatoes Kot Biscuits Hush Puppies i Potato Salad s loKir irvir Drruircy aiDiiyr nD nun ivmitTPiM on A OOOU t. DLI fflLUl HinunL un. win invugintnb nw. I CHILDREN UNDER SIX FREE ! 0ATFISH GABH3 j I PHONE-742-0601 I $999 1 AFPEARIG mi YEARS EVE Joe Stamplcy COUNTRY FEELE11G ROLL 0!) BIG PEXBY TAKE HE HOKE TO SCKEWKEP.E ADVANCE TICKETS ON SALE NOW "RIMS OUT THE OLD - RING 191 THE NEW" aCFFffrSSJ$EE E 9000 E. KINGS HWY. RESERVATIONS - 318-868-4424 Weekend Special! Friday, Saturday, & Sunday k Meal! Filet A tasty value, for only A complete royal meal, priced right! You'll enjoy a tender filet steak, your selection of potato, and thick slice of Stockade Toast, plus salad with your favorite dressing, plus your drink. $3S9 wi Good after 5:00 p.m. Friday, all day Saturday and Sunday. THE FAMILY STEAKHOUSE --' " -r tin "T"" 111 CCCC MALL ST. VINCENT t "5,, f7T. t I, -1 FSSv ST. VINCENT AT SOUTHERN AVE'V Vii-"''-' " ADULTS 82.50 STUDENTS & SR CITIZENS WITH AMC CARD S2 OO TWI-LITE SHOW $150 CHILDREN S1.25 SP7CIAL ENGAGEMENTS EXCLUDED FOR THE NEW YEAR-CATCH THE FEVER. Wl1 RCCC MALL ST. VINCENT F-y'- uy .i..M.fW i l.iui.,n.mi;m ,;,.... Afc l-OOOO ST VINCENT AT SOUTHERN AVEfS'f , - , 't - . ' : ' "' jV - ' - -.-.-..- a.... m I (ADULTS $2.50 STUDENTS 8. SR CITIZENS WITH AMC CARD S2 00 TWI-LITE SHOW S1 50 CHILDREN $1.25 SP7CIAL ENGAGEMENTS EXCLUDED I 1 i 1 1 1 i ii ii i ii ii i i i ii ii 1 1 i i ill ii i iiiiii i in i i ii mil i i I i i i in i ii i mi 1 1 in i n i ii i ii i i i t C-SL-ra Inl848herode across the great plains - j 1 eSSSWa" imMHmtuauara K 12:30-3:00 ITLS 5:30! 8.-00-10:30 12'45 7i30M 5'15 v- ''V f" '-' ' . -' ?:I;!i''t; j R H IT'S THE WORLDS GREATEST GAME h' t " ' f :. CLUOT EflSTUBSSES, (and itsure ain't football.) f?7'R , f: - mm ifM tlM wm;-w B -, m wmmm .a- I TV I mm F COMPANY FkM CLINT EASTWOOD; "THE GAUrJTLET" ,S01!DRA LOCKE DAVID MERRICK prnents A MICHAEL RITCHIE Film KRIS KRISTOrrERSOII & HfRl 12:45-3.-00 (TLS 5:30) 8:00-10:15-12:00 ON 2 BIG SCREENS United Artists 12:15-250- (TLS 5:00) 750-9:55-12:00 r 1 :15-3:30 (TLS 6:00) 8:30-10:45 onetle McKee - Margaret Avery - A Steve Krantz Production Directed by Michael Schultz - Produced by Steve Krantz EXCLUSIVE AREA ENGAGEMENT 2&fe 12:00-2.-001:15 (TLS 6:15) 8:30-10:30 M MlwMllAW!&!l'