Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)

Directed by Robert Stevenson. Starring Angela Lansbury, David Tomlinson, Ian Weighill, Cindy O’Callaghan, Roy Snart, Roddy McDowall, Tessie O’Shea, Sam Jaffe, (voices) Lennie Weinrib, Dallas McKennon. [G]

Here be an England-set fantasy of a magical woman who becomes a caretaker of children, with direction by Robert Stevenson and songs by the Sherman Brothers and a significant role for David Tomlinson, and during the middle segment, it blends live action and animation. Sound familiar? This blatant attempt to replicate the success of Mary Poppins can’t hold a candle (or umbrella…or enchanted bedknob…) to that picture. Since it’s set during the war (instead of Victorian London) and revolves around an apprentice witch (Lansbury) going on misadventures and aiding the war effort by thwarting invading Nazis, it ought to be good fun, but it’s mostly a middling affair—these Germans are about as threatening as the ones from “Hogan’s Heroes”, and besides, The Sound of Music already proved sticking their kind into a musical is hardly a recipe for high-quality success (the gay romp, Springtime for Hitler, on the other hand…). There’s no direction or discipline, the kids—especially bratty Charles (Weighill)—are uningratiating, and the vignettes don’t fit with each other, creating inconsistent appeal and even less logic. Not surprisingly, the highlight comes during a visit to land ruled by the hand-drawn animal kingdom: a boisterous football match. Oscar winner for Best Visual Effects. Re-released in alternate versions, one about twenty minutes shorter than the original cut, the other about twenty minutes longer (the latter was the one watched for this review).

48/100