The Three Lives of Thomasina (1963)

Boring

Absolutely Fantastic

A waste of 90 minutes of my life

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

I love Disney, and I am very fond of this film. It isn't my absolute favourite of the live-action Disney movies, but it is one of the more poignant ones and one of the most undervalued too. The film looks gorgeous, with beautiful costumes, scenery and cinematography. The score is very charming and quaint yet kept at minimum, while the story with its poignant ending is heart-warming and the dialogue is credible. Also credible is the direction, and the pacing is brisk enough to ensure The Three Lives of Thomasina never fails to engage. The cast are wonderful too. Patrick McGoohan is superb, and Finlay Currie and Jean Anderson give fine supporting performances but it is delightful Karen Dotrice and her adorable feline companion who steal the show. Overall, it is a lovely and underrated little film. 10/10 Bethany Cox

In sparkling 1912 Scotland, an orange tabby named "Thomasina" explains how she came to live with little Karen Dotrice (as Mary), her stern veterinarian father Patrick McGoohan (as Andrew McDhui), and housekeeper Jean Anderson (as Mrs. MacKenzie). The cat amusingly states the family originally named her "Thomas" until they "…got to know me better." At this moment, you know you're going to like this animal. We also learn the cat, speaking marvelously through Elspeth March, has been murdered. This extraordinary opening perfectly introduces the cat's personality, and prepares you for its death.The opening theme song, written by folk singer Terry Gilkyson, is purrfectly infectious.The story intensifies when "Thomasina" is crushed under an avalanche of crates, while prowling a fish market. With her young friends' help, Ms. Dotrice finds the cat, and brings "Thomasina" to her father. You'd think Mr. McGoohan, a veterinarian, would do everything possible to save his daughter's pet, which he promises to do - but, McGoohan is saving the life of a blind man's seeing eye dog, and orders "Thomasina" put to sleep. Before this, we've seen him make this decision about other animals, and wonder if his decisions are being made in haste. Later, we learn he suffers from guilt regarding his wife's death.McGoohan thinks he can simply replace "Thomasina" with another cat, and cannot understand why Dotrice is taking the death so hard. Dotrice's friends, Vincent Winter (as Hughie), Denis Gilmore (as Jamie), and "Mary Poppins" co-star Matthew Garber (as Geordie), give "Thomasina" a child-like funeral, which is interrupted by a woman they both admire and fear - spooky Susan Hampshire (as Lori MacGregor), the superstitious town's resident "witch". Ms. Hampshire takes the animal, which, we learn, is NOT dead. But, before this, it has what could be described as a "near-death experience." Or, is it "Cat Heaven?" It's all cleverly plotted, from Paul Gallico's original novel, with enough room to support differing interpretations.Dotrice's depression worsens. She will have nothing more do with McGoohan, telling others, "My father's dead," and, "My daddy's dead. I killed him." Her young friends successfully plot to end McGoohan's veterinary practice. "Thomasina" recovers, but with amnesia; she stays with the witch, aware something is wrong with her life. When his daughter falls deathly ill, "man of science" McGoohan tries to reconnect with his Christian faith, lamenting, "I've forgotten how to pray." He also begins to connect with Hampshire, which leads to the most unimaginative part of the story. Still, this is an excellent, underrated film.******** The Three Lives of Thomasina (12/11/63) Don Chaffey ~ Patrick McGoohan, Karen Dotrice, Susan Hampshire, Elspeth March

I am a holistic veterinarian and for years I have been trying to figure out where I got my inspiration for my work. A few days ago I remembered this Disney film and the "witch". My love of animals and the love that can heal is all contained in this movie. It was such a joy to watch it again and see my inspiration come to life.I am also a singer and love to sing Celtic folksongs. I live in the country and am surrounded by animals though no wild ones necessarily. I did rescue a baby rabbit with a broken leg a few years ago. I made a splint out of a paper clip and kept him until the leg healed. Then my daughter and I turned him loose in a local park. I think Lorie was my role model in all that I have done with animals since I saw this movie when I was a young child.

The Three Lives of ThomasinaAnother classic Disney story of a smart stray cat named Thomasina who dies and comes back to life, living with a so-called "witch" on her farm in the middle of a desolate wooded area--until the little girl Thomasina used to belong to finds out the cat is still alive and tries to get her back.I have a fuzzy old tape of this movie buried somewhere in my stash of recorded videos. I used to watch it quite a lot and it is very entertaining for the kids. Don't watch it without children around or else you might be put off by its quaint silliness.**** / *****