The Times from Shreveport, Louisiana • Page 42

6-n Dec. 30, 1977 THE RHREVEPORT TIMES it's frisiar it's fridLay iUi's fridLay it's riday I Disney film is real fire-breather Movie in review 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- cf iS: jaw U-'YY" 1 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 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 like a pop-rock cut from one of her not completely stilled. Helen Reddy demonstrates a charming screen presence and a flair for musical comedy as the albums rather than part of the "Dragon" score.

"Pete's Dragon" may not be the best film to come from Walt Disney 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 lighthouse keeper's daughter; her Productions in recent years "The acting is far more accomplished shaggy 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 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 daughter (Helen Reddy guy as Dr. Terminus, the medicine peddler. The real hissable villains of Cinema, "Pete's Dragon" is rated Pete 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 the piece, though, are Pete's foster G. What else would you expect from parents, overplayed with slimy elan a Walt Disney film?) Weekend Special! Friday, Saturday, Sunday Elliott swings Helen Reddy, Sean Marshall AFPEARIG mi YEARS EVE Joe Stamplcy COUNTRY FEELE11G Meal! Filet TRV CA016RINUS RESTAURANT The classic French ftltelian Cusinc THE NEWEST BUFFET IN TOWN A tasty value, for only ROLL BIG PEXBY TAKE HE HOKE TO SCKEWKEP.E 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 HOURS Monday-Friday 1 1:30 AM.

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