Bedknobs And Broomsticks (1971)

Set in WWII England, an apprentice witch (Angela Lansbury) reluctantly takes in three orphan children (Ian Weighill, Roy Snart, Cindy O'Callaghan) displaced from London. The amateur witch plans on using her powers of sorcery to help defeat the Germans from invading England. Based on the novel THE MAGIC BEDKNOB by Mary Norton and directed by Robert Stevenson (MARY POPPINS). This is a thoroughly enchanting blend of fantasy and music (songs by Richard M. And Robert B. Sherman). While still family friendly, it still manages not to dumb it down beyond an adult's enjoyment. Perhaps best of all, the three child actors are wonderful. They seem like real kids as opposed to those usual phony "adorable" moppets that populate movies like these. This is the only film credit for the two boys (Weighill, Snart) and only O'Callaghan continued acting. The film was cut by some 20 minutes prior to its initial release but I watched the original version with the 20 minutes restored. The highlights of the film are the Portobello Road production number (a victim of the editing shears prior to release) and a hilarious animated soccer game with exotic animals. With David Tomlinson, Roddy McDowall, Sam Jaffe, John Ericson, Reginald Gardiner and Tessie O'Shea.