THE THREE LIVES OF THOMASINA
UK, 1960, 77 minutes, Colour.
Susan Hampshire, Patrich Mc Goohan, Karen Dotrice, Vincent White, Laurence Naismith, Finlay Currie, Wilfrid Brambell.
Directed by Don Chaffey.
The Three Lives of Thomasina is a very attractive Disney film with a Scottish setting. Based on a story by Paul Gallico (The Snow Goose), it was directed by non Chaffey, who also directed the attractive Scottish Disney film Greyfriars Bobby.
There are lovely locations. Karen Dotrice and Matthew Garber are introduced as the children - and were so successful that they reappeared in Mary Poppins and the Gnomemobile. Patrick Mc Goohan is satisfactorily dour as the doctor. Susan Hampshire is fey as the alleged witch in the forest. There is an excellent Scottish cast including Finlay Currie, Laurence Naismith and Vincent Winter who was one of the little Kidnappers.
The film has a period setting, has a love for animals, focuses on children and family - and has a rather clever fantasy sequence for Thomasina dying and going to Cat Heaven and coming back again! A very successful family film.
1. The appeal of this Disney film? Scotland, period, cats, children, family?
2. The Scottish locations, the town, the countryside and the forest? The special effects for Cat Heaven - the statues, the atposphere of fantasy? The musical score?
3. The focus on cats, their appeal to family audiences? The expected nine lives - and the variation for Thomasina's lives?
4. Thomasina as a character: Elspeth March and her voice, her conmentary, Her appearences, ironic and humorous observations. Her love for the family, for Mary? Her death? Returning? A new identity? Seen by Mary, being brought? her character? relationships? the Cat Heaven? The loss for Mary - and Mary's revival?
5. Mary and her relationship with her father, her love for animals, Thomasina, chasing her in the market, knowing her routines, feeding her at the table? Her father's sternness? Mrs Mc Kenzie and her friendship? The friendship with the boys, going into the forest, seeing Lori Mc Gregor? Thinking she was a witch? The concern about Thomasina with the accident? Wanting her father to heal her? His decision to let her die? His cold demeanour, trying to be logical? Trying to make up to her? Her refusal to speak to him? The build-up to the funeral and its solermity? The townspeople? Her strained relationship with her father, going into the forest, her seeing Thomasina, chasing her through the storm, her illness, her father having to heal her, Lori urging his love, the cat? Her revival - bridesmaid at the wedding?
6. The portrait of Andrew and his work, stern, widower, relationship with his daughter, Mrs McKenzie? healing the animals? Being practical, letting them lie? The reaction of the townsfolk? Healing the dog for the blind man? Letting Thomasina die? The people against him? His reliance on his assistant? Mary's illness, trying to heal her, offering her love? Marrying Lori?
7. Lori Mc Gregor, in the woods, the children seeing her as a witch, her fey behaviour? Her delight in nature? Her ability to bring animals to life? Her bringing Thomasina to life? Helping Mary? The marriage?
8. The boys, their friendship, stirred against the doctor? The characters of the boys, his cantankerous criticisms? with Mary, around the town, getting people? The funeral? Their going into the forest? their families? The old grandfather and
the animals, with Mary, with the doctor? Helping Mary, the funeral? As wise advice?
9. Mrs Mc Kenzie: her care for the doctor, for Mary? Wise advice?
10. An enjoyable family film? Father and daughter? Friendships? Animals? And the Scottish touch?
