For the generation who only knows “Pete”s Dragon” as the somber, ET-esque 2016 film...boy are you missing out.
There are multiple generations who have a much different perspective of Elliot the Dragon- one that includes songs, big dance numbers, traditional, 2D animation combined with live-action and for many kids who grew up with the film, a bit of “Brazzle Dazzle” magic!
In an effort to grab some of the “Mary Poppins” gusto of a decade gone by, the original “Pete’s Dragon” was the Disney Studio’s hopes for an event film, at a time when they were struggling to keep their foothold in the movie industry.
Released Forty years ago this month on November 3, 1977, “Pete’s Dragon” tells the story of young, orphaned Pete (Sean Marshall) whose best friend is a dragon named Elliot, Elliot helps Pete escape from his abusive adoptive family of the Gogans and make his way to the town of Passamaquoddy, Maine...and the town will never be the same.
“Pete’s Dragon” stars a “who’s who” of ‘70’S and pre-‘70’s all-stars, including Mickey Rooney as Lampie the lighthouse keeper, Helen Reddy, as his daughter, Shelly Winters as Lena Gogan, Jim Dale as the villainous Doc Terminus and Red Buttons as his sidekick Hoagie.
The star of the show is Elliot, the animated dragon. Created by the incredibly talented Disney Legend, artist Ken Anderson, Elliot, with his pot belly, lump jaw, tiny wings and pink hair is imbued with tremendous personality. He was brought to the screen by a then young animator named Don Bluth, who would go on to leave Disney and form his own studio, creating such non-Disney hits as “An American Tail.”
With vocal effects provided by comedian Charlie Callis (another ‘70’s flashback), Elliot was part of some, still impressive, special effects that combined animation and live-action in some very inventive ways (the scene in which Lampie and Hoagie visit Elliot’s cave still feature some impressive moments).
Disney put quite a bit of promotion behind “Pete’s Dragon.” A full-size float of Elliot was included in The Main Street Electrical Parade in Disney Theme Parks. This float was also actually rolled down the streets of Manhattan to help premiere the film at Radio City Music Hall (the film’s stars as well as Disney characters also came out for the debut). The film then went on to play at Radio City with that year’s Christmas stage show.
Additionally, there were books, record albums, lunch boxes and a segment of “Pete’s Dragon” was included on that year’s Wonderful World of Disney “From All of Us to All of You” Christmas Special.
While not the “Mary Poppins” sized hit that the Studio was hoping for, “Pete’s Dragon” is very near and dear to many and the charm of this family film, the likes of which just aren’t made any more, has only grown in the four decades since its release.
This is most likely why the Studio looked to this film as a candidate for a “re-boot” last year. But if Robert Redford and a CG furry dragon is your idea of “Pete’s Dragon,” take some time to return to an era of traditional animation and on-going musical production numbers and check out the original, as well.
After all, “There’s room for everyone in this world.”
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