Escape to Witch Mountain

A Disney adventure with quite a lot going for it, even if it does end up spreading itself too wide for the sakes of the entire family. Two orphans, gifted with extra-terrestrial powers, get sidetracked in their search for their origins by an unscrupulous Milland, who hopes to use their clairvoyance to increase his own wealth. What emerges is a chase film - with the kids aided by a gruff but friendly Eddie Albert - which employs fast cars and a helicopter in much the same manner as Hough's earlier Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry. Most of the credit must rest with the adult actors, who refuse to patronise their material; interestingly, the film's underlying themes ('Our planet was dying. The only industry left was the manufacture of spaceships') are both topical and quite serious.