The Sherman Brothers, Richard and Robert, had seen better days as songwriters than this sole Lassie musical, having one good song for Debby Boone that got an Oscar nomination and the rest that are instantly forgettable. The story itself is something that has been seen many times, a very rich man wants what he can't have, and he wants Lassie. He's already been trying to get Vineyard owner James Stewart to sell his land to him because he wants to build his own winery, and the very stubborn Stewart has refused. In fact, the rich man, Pernell Roberts, is so obnoxious in what he wants that he's instantly hissable and not at all interesting as the bad guy. When he decides to go after Lassie (who allegedly has a number tattooed inside his fur that indicates has he was one of the pups of a thoroughbred that Roberts once owned), he becomes the sort of mustache twirling villain that went out with cartoon characters Snidely Whiplash and Dick Dastardly.
Once in Roberts hands, he manages to get away, and Stewart's grandson goes on the run to look for him. Lassie encounters Mickey Rooney (as a prize fighting manager) and the kid gets assistance from Alice Faye as a kindly waitress who sings. In fact, everybody seems to have a reason to break into song at one point, and in Faye's case, much of the short song that she sings has a chorus singing over the lyrics with her. There are some Majestic visuals in the cross-country Trek or Lassie, the boy and Stewart who's looking for his grandson, and Stewart does have a few good zingers although a few of his lines are very corny. The emotions that occur when Stewart and his grandson catch up (while the kid is in a cattle truck) are eye rolling.
A secondary story involving a romance between Stewart's older granddaughter Stephanie Zimbalist and local attorney Lane Davies seems pointless. Michael Sharrett, as the grandson, would be no threat to the other pre-teen actors who were gaining success at the time. The script really needed to drop the songs and put better development into the characters, and make Roberts less despicable. The film's eye rolling moments really goes overboard with a young adult singing group singing "A Banjo Song" that is definitely a moment not to drink anything because your TV will be soaked by.a spit take how ridiculously silly it is. Lassie's bark is drowned out by other canines yowling over saccharine this is, more diabetes inducing than the worst Disney musicals and comedies of the previous decade.
Once in Roberts hands, he manages to get away, and Stewart's grandson goes on the run to look for him. Lassie encounters Mickey Rooney (as a prize fighting manager) and the kid gets assistance from Alice Faye as a kindly waitress who sings. In fact, everybody seems to have a reason to break into song at one point, and in Faye's case, much of the short song that she sings has a chorus singing over the lyrics with her. There are some Majestic visuals in the cross-country Trek or Lassie, the boy and Stewart who's looking for his grandson, and Stewart does have a few good zingers although a few of his lines are very corny. The emotions that occur when Stewart and his grandson catch up (while the kid is in a cattle truck) are eye rolling.
A secondary story involving a romance between Stewart's older granddaughter Stephanie Zimbalist and local attorney Lane Davies seems pointless. Michael Sharrett, as the grandson, would be no threat to the other pre-teen actors who were gaining success at the time. The script really needed to drop the songs and put better development into the characters, and make Roberts less despicable. The film's eye rolling moments really goes overboard with a young adult singing group singing "A Banjo Song" that is definitely a moment not to drink anything because your TV will be soaked by.a spit take how ridiculously silly it is. Lassie's bark is drowned out by other canines yowling over saccharine this is, more diabetes inducing than the worst Disney musicals and comedies of the previous decade.