The film: Napoleon And Samantha (1972)

Why you should see it: Johnny Whitaker is Napoleon, a boy entrusted with the care of Major, a former circus lion. When his grandfather dies, Napoleon goes on the run with the animal and his best mate Samantha (Jodie Foster), to find grad student-turned goat herder Danny (Michael Douglas) who can help.

Easily the star of the show is Major, who out-acts everyone else. Even Foster. But still doesn't get his name in the title.

Where are they now? Douglas is happily married to Catherine Zeta-Jones and still has a thriving career.

Jodie Foster chooses her films carefully and directs here and there.

Whitaker took on guest-starring roles and a few other films, but seems to work little these days. Perhaps he could have a comeback when US TV show Sigmund And The Sea Monsters becomes a movie?

How it could be remade: Race To Witch Mountain’s Alexander Ludwig is Napoleon, who must care for a young lion after his local safari park faces closure (don’t ask how).

To make sure the animal is safe, he’ll have to get him to the home of Daniel (Dwayne Johnson) who used to be a grad student, but is now a chicken ranch owner (again with the not asking – it’s Disney).

And this time, Douglas can play the grandfather who carks it. He probably wouldn’t want to, though.