one of my absolute favorites!

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

This movie came on after another movie I'd been watching ended. I didn't bother changing the channel, and BOY-O-BOY I didn't know what I was in for. This movie kicks rocks and I don't mean that in a good way!WHY was this kid cast as the lead character? The child's voice sounds as if he's suffering from a plugged up nose and a sever case of boogers. The movie wasn't cute or endearing, in fact, every time "The Dondi" appeared and recited his terrible rendition of "Italian orphan speak", my skin cringed! Having recognizable actors in a movie did nothing to make it more "watchable". I wouldn't dare think of putting this movie on for my younger family members to watch at my house, then again, maybe I would; it could help to put them to sleep!

Italian boy, not only orphaned but apparently nameless, stows away with a group of too-chummy American GIs sailing for New York City; soon, little mush-mouthed 'Dondi'--as his soldier buddies have been instructed to call him--gets lost in the crowd and attaches himself to a con artist and an orphaned dog. Screenwriters Gus Edson and Irwin Hasen, basing their characters on the not-too-popular comic strip, certainly leave family audiences orphaned with this ridiculous treacle, full of artificial hugs and kisses. It's like being suffocated with valentines. David Kory is an indisputably terrible child actor...but to be fair, nobody in this cast comes out looking particularly good. Producer-director Albert Zugsmith cannot stage the simplest comedic gag without turning the principals on-screen into dummies. Patti Page, in adoptive-mommy mode, probably fares the best; she sings a hot version of "Jingle Bells" over the opening credits (was Zugsmith hoping his film would become a holiday perennial?) and manages to make conversation with Kory, which is amazing since I couldn't understand a word the kid was saying. A seat-numbing excuse for a kiddie matinée. * from ****

I first saw the movie Dondi back in 1966. I was 9. I found it to be a great little heart warmer for back then. Just because someone had a tooth ache doesn't make him a critique. Dondi is what really happened during the second world war It happens during all wars but Dondi captured all of them and they showed it too. I hate my family coming to my house I moved way in the woods. I am a recluse. I took a wagon wheel rim and modified it making a sign on my front yard drive way. It stands straight up on its end and it is stuck in concrete The words on my welcome sign to my front yard reads. Welcome Ira and Irma Deelybuddy. Our names are Ann and Joe. I bet my sister kid graduated high school by now She was eight the last time I saw her. Get the point Dondi was a great movie it had something for everybody but the tooth ache guy

I, too, was just a little kid when I saw "Dondi"...and I fell in love with it. I watched it on TV--probably on a Saturday afternoon--and was captivated by it's charm. Sweet little Dondi stole my heart. I only saw this movie once but it has stayed in my heart for over 40 years. I can still remember Patti Page singing a beautiful lullabye-like song about Dondi. By today's standards, it most likely wouldn't even be considered to be made---not enough sex and violence---but this is one that should somehow finds it's way to the "feel good movies" category on DVD....along with "The Toy Tiger", "Sitting Pretty", and "Mr. Belvidere". Hopefully some day we'll be able to get all of these great old movies on DVD!