| The Magic of Lassie | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Don Chaffey |
| Written by | Jean Holloway Robert B. Sherman Richard M. Sherman |
| Produced by | William Beaudine Jr. Bonita Granville Wrather |
| Starring | James Stewart Michael Sharrett Lassie Pernell Roberts Mickey Rooney Stephanie Zimbalist Alice Faye |
| Cinematography | Michael Margulies |
| Edited by | John C. Harger |
| Music by | Songs: Richard M. Sherman Robert B. Sherman Score: Irwin Kostal |
Production company | Lassie Productions |
| Distributed by | International Picture Show Company |
Release date |
|
Running time | 100 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $3 million |
The Magic of Lassie is a 1978 American musical drama film directed by Don Chaffey, and starring Lassie, James Stewart (in his final appearance in a domestically-released live action feature film), Stephanie Zimbalist, Pernell Roberts and Michael Sharrett, with cameo appearances by Mickey Rooney and Alice Faye (in her final film role). Stewart appeared in one of only three musical film roles that he played: the first was Born to Dance (1936) in which he introduced the Cole Porter standard "Easy To Love" and the second was Pot O' Gold (1941). The screenplay and song score are supplied by the prolific Sherman Brothers, who worked as staff songwriters for Walt Disney and wrote songs for his films such as Mary Poppins (1964). Their song "When You're Loved" was nominated for an Academy Award for "Best Original Song" and was sung by Debby Boone. It is also the only musical film featuring Lassie.
Released in the wake of Star Wars, the film was critically panned as old-fashioned, and flopped at the box office. Critics expressed dismay at Stewart singing unmemorable songs as the grandfather. Following the film's failure, he semiretired from acting.