Pete's Dragon
Time Out says
Pete (Marshall) is orphaned and freckly; the dragon is animated and pale green. As a pair they're technically unconvincing and emotionally unpalatable, particularly when they snuggle together in close-up or when the dragon uses a gentle finger to lift a tear from his pal's eye. But the film's sentimentality is mostly contained in the trite and foolish songs; the remainder is familiar Disney knockabout comedy, depending for much of its appeal on the mugging of mountebank Jim Dale, his assistant Red Buttons, and Mickey Rooney's cuddly drunk of a lighthouse keeper. The dragon itself grunts, grins and goofs around, but isn't half as appealing as its creators obviously hoped. More character and better animation would have helped.
Details
Release details
Cast and crew
Helen Reddy
Jim Dale
Mickey Rooney
Red Buttons
Shelley Winters
Jim Backus