Zeus & Roxanne (1977)

ANIMAL ADVENTURE/COMEDY: 1977, PG. Vacationing composer Terry meets marine biologist Marybeth because his dog, Zeus, chases her cat. Meanwhile, Zeus makes friends with Roxanne, the dolphin Marybeth is studying. Zeus falls into the water and Roxanne saves him. In parallel to the relationship between dog and dolphin, the friendship between Terry and Marybeth turns to love – actively encouraged by his son, Brandon, and her two daughters, Judith and Nora. Meanwhile, fellow scientist Claude steals Marybeth’s data to get grant money. When Terry returns north, Zeus runs away and is captured by Claude who uses him as bait to illegally capture Roxanne. However, Roxanne captures Claude in a net and rescues Marybeth who has becomes stranded in a submarine. Terry and Marybeth get married and she gets her grant.

VIOLENCE/SCARINESS: Zeus accidentally falls overboard in shark-infested waters, but Roxanne drives the sharks away. Marybeth almost drowns in a tiny submarine that slowly fills with water in a rather long scene.

CRIMES: Plagiarism (U).

MORALS, ISSUES & VALUES: The film has a true love of and respect for nature. Young Jordan is an accomplished photographer. The kids trespass in a dangerous oil refinery while rollerblading and get arrested. Marybeth grounds her daughters when they go rollerblading instead of school. The kids play poker for chores around the house; the girls cheat but eventually lose. Terry wants to write an opera but has to support himself by writing music for commercials. He defers Marybeth’s questions about using Zeus for experiments to Brandon saying Zeus is his son’s dog. Claude, the evil scientist, tortures dolphins. He is a reckless driver and endangers the children. Claude is driven by greed and egotism. According to the film: human relations are best if they follow those in nature. Problems are solved without violence.

SEXUALITY & GENDER ISSUES: Single parent families. Nuclear family formed. Marybeth is a competent scientist. Another marine biologist is a black woman. Marybeth’s daughters instigate the relationship between their mother and Terry. Since Roxanne captures the villains, Terry doesn’t have to be macho and resort to violence.

SUBSTANCES: None.

COMMENTS: Charming animals and beautiful Bahamas locations help this charming film in which parents love their children and they, in turn, care about their parents and honestly and successfully try to bring about good relations and build a family.

STARRING: Steve Guttenberg, Kathleen Quinlan, Arnold Vosloo, Dawn McMillan, Miko Hughes, Jessica Howell.

ALTERNATES: The idea of kids getting their parents together is the basis of “The Parent Trap,” but this film is not quite as nasty. For animal lovers, try “Andre” or “Free Willy.”