Savannah Smiles

Savannah Driscoll (Brigette Andersen)is the 7 year old daughter of wealthy gubernatorial candidate, Richard Driscoll (Chris Robinson). Savannah, feeling terribly lonely and neglected by her self-absorbed parents, dashes a note and runs away. Two small-time crooks, Boots (Donovan Scott) and Alvie (Mark Miller), on the lam after a slapstick-style prison break, steal the car in which Savannah has chosen to hide. Savannah's "run away" note falls out of sight, so the police, with the exception of Lt. Savage (Michael Parks) immediately assume kidnapping. The police call in "ace tracker" Harland Dobbs (Peter Graves, in hilarious deadpan "dimwit detective" role). Meanwhile, Alvie, Boots and Savannah find a hideout. While Boots takes care of Savannah, Alvie, who hates children (and just about everybody else) becomes involved with Doreen (Carol Wayne, Carson's "Matinee Lady"), an attractive, spectacularly built waitress and part-time country singer. Desiring to satisfy Doreen's innocent dreams, Alvie ransoms Savannah. However, Boots' "nurturing instincts" are aroused, and he wants to reform.

Despite some thin spots in the middle, this is a surprisingly powerful movie. As we learn more about Alvie, we come to sympathize with his character, making the "near Ruby Ridge-style" climax of this movie all the more gut wrenching. I can barely think about this film without choking up. The cast is uniformly outstanding, most notable being Mark Miller (father of Penelope Ann), Pat Morita, Carol Wayne and Michael Parks (a character similar to THE X FILES Muldar). Brigette Andersen (granddaughter of child star Jackie Coogan) is adorable. Tragically, Andersen died from a drug and alcohol overdose at age 22.

The late porn star, Savannah, took her stage name from this movie, an admittedly "dubious" distinction. Apparently SAVANNAH SMILES has affected a lot of people. If you DO show it to your children, WATCH it with them. You may look at the world in a slighter brighter way when you are done.

I just bought Savannah Smiles on DVD and got to watch it again for the first time in years. It was still as wonderful as when I was six years old, if not better. This is one of those movies that was made in the 1980s, but doesn't fall in the "80s movies" genre. It seems that not a lot of people have heard of it or seen it. I can't help but wonder why because this is a great movie! Perhaps if it would have had a big name star, it would have fared better over the years. I actually thought it was Drew Barrymore who played Savannah until not too long ago. Despite few big name stars, everybody does an outstanding job in their roles. Like a previous reviewer, I too wonder why Mark Miller didn't make many more films, he is a terrific actor! Although none of the music made the top ten, the film has a great soundtrack. The film will make you laugh, get angry, and cry. I shed a tear at the end and I am usually not one to get emotional over movies. Look high and low to find it, because when you do, you will not regret seeing it.

John 3:16 <><

I saw this when it first came out and enjoyed it. My oldest daughter , now 20 ,enjoyed it so much she named her favorite doll Savannah. Now my 3 yr old is in love with Savannah. Every morning she wants to watch Savannah as she eats breakfast, she has gotten to the point of reciting lines before they appear. It's a wonderful movie, fun, entertaining and you fall in love with Savannah and her 2 buddies; the gruff Alvie and clueless yet sweet Bootsie. As you watch this notice the changes that take place in the main characters, very heart warming. The music scores support the story. I find that I hum or sing them throughout the day. My 3 yr old asks me to sing the end song as I rock her to sleep each night. There are overtly funny scenes but you have to appreciate the clueless comment of Peter Graves' character.."I've heard that voice before."

This is a movie that will definitely make you smile.

All three of the main characters are terrific in this film.

This is a movie you can definitely watch with the kids, which is a rare these days.

The parents in the film are a little stereotyped in their coldness and their "seeing the error of their ways", but is intended to connect Savanah to Alphie, who wrote the film. The movie is very predictable, however like a Disney movie, although you aren't surprised by anything in it, it doesn't take away from the enjoyment.

I don't think I have ever sat through it any of the 10-12 times I watched it and not shed a few happy tears.

I love this movie from the first time i saw it as a little girl, I was 8 when it came out and now i'm 25, and it still makes me laugh and cry with tears. I would suggest this movie to any little girl growing up. It is a great family movie. I give it a 10!!