Watch Shirley Temple: Land Of Oz / The Reluctant Dragon

Shirley Temple: Land Of Oz, also known as The Reluctant Dragon, is a fantasy adventure film that was released in 1958, and was directed by Ted Parmelee. The movie was produced by UPA Productions, and was based on the works of L. Frank Baum and Kenneth Grahame. The film stars Shirley Temple, Pernell Roberts, and Agnes Moorehead in lead roles.

The movie is a unique combination of two classic stories - The Wizard of Oz and The Reluctant Dragon. The film begins with Shirley Temple, playing herself, on a train journey with her mother. As they travel, she shares her love for the magical world of books with her mother, who gives her a copy of The Wizard of Oz. Shirely is thrilled as she starts to read the book on the train, and she quickly becomes lost in the story.

The magic of the book takes over in the film as Shirley imagines herself as Dorothy Gale, the protagonist of The Wizard of Oz. As she falls asleep on the train, Shirley dreams of being transported to Oz. In Oz, she meets all the familiar characters, including the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion. However, the group is no longer on the yellow Brick Road, and they are on a quest to find the Wicked Witch, who has kidnapped the King of the Munchkins.

In their quest to save the King, Shirley and her companions find themselves going through many obstacles, including navigating through the dangerous Dark Forest, where they encounter a ferocious Lion. They also face the witch's minions, the flying monkeys, and finally come face to face with the Witch herself. The perilous journey leads them to the witch's castle, where Shirley finally saves the King, and the group is rewarded by the inhabitants of the Emerald City.

The Reluctant Dragon part of the movie starts with Shirley waking up from her dream, and recognizing that the train has arrived at the station. Shirley asks her mother if they could go to the movies to watch The Reluctant Dragon. The film follows a man named Robert Benchley, who goes to the Walt Disney Studio to pitch an idea for a movie. While at the studio, he is introduced to a cartoonist who takes him through the animation process. Together they encounter the Reluctant Dragon, who is not at all interested in fighting the knights that have been sent to slay him. Robert tries to convince the Dragon to fight, but the Dragon insists he is more interested in poetry and art.

The film stands out for its unique blend of animation and live-action, and the two distinct stories that are brought together. Shirley Temple, at the time one of the most famous child stars in the world, ads to the spectacle of the film. Her performance in the role of Dorothy Gale is charming, and the scenes in which she interacts with the other characters, particularly the Scarecrow, are particularly delightful.

While the film did not receive wide critical acclaim, it remains a classic that generations of children have enjoyed over the years. The interesting combination of two beloved stories in one film, as well as the dreamlike quality of the film, have ensured its place as a cult classic.

Overall, Shirley Temple: Land Of Oz / The Reluctant Dragon is a wonderful film that will appeal to both adults and children. The combination of two cherished stories will take you on a magical journey, and Shirley Temple's infectious charm will make you feel like a kid again.

Shirley Temple: Land Of Oz / The Reluctant Dragon is a 1961 comedy with a runtime of 51 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.