Pete's Dragon: Difference between revisions
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'''''Pete's Dragon''''', a 1977 Disney film, is another [[Spiritual Successor]] to ''[[Mary Poppins]]'', though not as direct a successor (in fact, not very successful, period) as ''[[Bedknobs and Broomsticks]]'' was. It's a live-action musical that uses cel animation to bring its title character to life.
It is the early 20th century, and [[Heartwarming Orphan]] Pete is on the run from the cruel Gogans, a backwoods family that bought him to be their slave. He has but one friend - Elliot, a friendly dragon. Elliot doesn't speak English, but he can fly, breathe fire, and turn himself invisible; most of all, he's got Pete's back. Together they arrive in the town of Passamaquoddy, Maine.
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Pete soon bonds with Nora and Lampie, and even tells Elliot about Nora's lost-at-sea fiance in hopes the dragon can find him. Alas, [[Snake Oil Salesman]] Doctor Terminus, played by Jim Dale, arrives in town and learns from his lackey Hoagy (whom Lampie takes to the cave to prove his claim) about Elliot. The parts of a dragon can be compounded into all kinds of medicines, so Terminus seeks to capture Elliot. Then the Gogans arrive, and the two evil parties meet and combine their forces. It all comes to a head on a stormy night that will be rife with rescues.
This was Disney's big holiday release for 1977, but while it was a modest hit, it does point up how out-of-touch the company had become when it came to appealing to families - ''[[Star Wars]]'' was where it was at for most kids that year, and they just didn't have time for a broad musical comedy like this. (
In 2016, Disney released a [[Pete's Dragon (2016 film)|live-action remake]]
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