OLLY, OLLY, OXEN FREE

US, 1978, 84 minutes, Colour.
Katharine Hepburn, Kevin Mc Kenzie, Dennis Dimster.
Directed by Richard A. Colla.

Olly, Olly Oxen Free was also known as The Great Balloon Adventure. Of itself, it would have been merely just another entertaining children's adventure: two boys with an old balloon with the help of a junkyard owner, fly it - with some adventures over San Francisco.

What makes the difference is the presence of Katharine Hepburn as the yard proprietress. She gives ore of her sterling performances, full of old-fashioned style as well as practical good, sense. She seems to enjoy working with the two youngsters, their dog, and flying over the city - to land with rapturous applause during the performance of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture.

It is quite colourful, uses the wide screen well for the balloon-flying and for the grand finale.

1. The appeal of the film, Dogs? Adventure? for boys, girls? adults?

2. Wide screen photography, the atmosphere of San Francisco, the ordinary town, the building of the balloon, the flight, the landing? The attractive pictures of San Francisco? The. rousing musical score - especially for the flight and Tchaikovsky for the finale?

3. The two titles? indication of themes?

4. The portrait of' the two bogs? Their friendship, working together, the plan for the balloon, gathering the parts, the encounter with Miss Pudd, her helping them, the various Darts, the texture of the balloon material, the setting up of the balloon, its getting out of hand, the enjoyment of the flight, the adventures, Miss Pudd coming aboard? The clashes between the two, their friendship? Alby's birthday, his ideals, the inheritance Alby received?

5. Katharine Hepburn as Miss Pudd? Her manner and style as an old junkyard lady? old-fashioned manner of speaking? Suspicion of the bogs, making friends with then, being delighted with their presence, working with them, the detail of the preparation of the balloon? Her chasing them in the car, holding onto the balloon, caught up and flying over San Francisco, her sharing in the adventure, the grand finale? A warm-hearted performance?

6. Joshua and his place with the boys, with Miss Pudd - the attraction of a dog?

7. The memory of Mr. Sandusky - his life, his influence as a grandfather, birthday, his enjoyment of the –flight?

8. The themes of goals for young boys, using their hands and ingenuity, working together, friendship? The relationship with a kindly adult?

9. The popular ingredients of children's films - with the lavish American touch?