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Candleshoe-720P

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Hard to believe the Disney branch of the mid-'70s thought kids would be interested in the kooky nuns of "One Of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing", the church-lady super-snoopers of "The North Ave. Irregulars", or in the plot of this talky, sentimental comedy starring Jodie Foster as a delinquent teen transplanted from Los Angeles to the English countryside. Foster's in cahoots with a thieving couple, trying to find a treasure hidden somewhere on the property of an elderly woman and her gaggle of orphans. Despite a few missteps, Foster's work here is admirable, particularly in the quiet scene where she walks the grounds with Helen Hayes ("You have to keep your dukes up," Foster says. "When you wake up in the morning, the first punch is yours."). Her introductory scenes being 'bad' are enjoyable, though she seems to bond awfully fast with the other kids in the English manor, and I didn't quite buy it when she has a complete change of heart and becomes part of the family. We are not spared another Disney car chase--I don't know why I thought we would be, I supposed since we were in England and searching for treasure that wouldn't happen--but by God if the archaic Disney brass didn't shoehorn a nick-of-time auto-and-train race into this thing. Still, Jodie's performance, Ron Goodwin's wonderful score and some lightly amusing set-pieces make the film entertaining. **1/2 from ****

Jodie Foster plays an American hard-knocks-life kid who travels to England, and together with a small-time crook tries to swindle an old lady (played by Helen Hayes) out of her fortune. Foster passes herself off as the child of a long lost relative (now orphaned), which makes Hayes feel responsible. Although the hoax is soon discovered, the two grow fond of each other, and when there appears to be no money at all in the estate, they band together to save the place from the tax man. The predictable ending is nonetheless satisfying. This film makes for pleasant family fare, and incidentally features 3 Academy Award Winning actors (Foster, Hayes and David Niven).

This is a Disney live action family that, unlike The Parent Trap (either version) has a lot of sappy moments. (Don't get me wrong though, I love The Parent Trap). Not to mention a level of violence not normally seen in a live action Disney flick - I'm referring, of course, to the fight between Cluny and Casey, and the fight of villians vs good guys. The storyline is simple, and yes, done before and after, but it is done well, and that's what counts. Acting is great, considering the main characters were mostly kids, and there are some great lines to quote. Overall, it's a simple, fun, family movie. One that I think could appeal to almost everyone.

I remember this film from its original airing, and while I have not watched it in years, I still list it in my favorites. This only shows the strength of the movie and its acting. I loved Jodie Foster after seeing her in it, and have enjoyed her acting ever since. I am on the hunt for it for my newborn son, for him to enjoy it like I did! My many thanks to Disney,Helen Hayes,Jodie Foster,Leo McKern and all of the rest of the crew for a wonderful story and great memories. I give the movie a 10 for any parent wanting a good clean movie for their young ones, and even for a young teenager to watch something other than the sex,drugs and violence that is so prevalent in today's movies.