National Velvet
1944  NR  DRAMA  2h 3min
CAST— Mickey Rooney, Elizabeth Taylor, Donald Crisp, Anne Revere, Angela Lansbury, Reginald Owen, Norma Varden, Jackie “Butch” Jenkins, Terry Kilburn
MUSIC— Herbert Stothart  DIRECTOR— Clarence Brown  BASED ON— National Velvet (novel), by Enid Bagnold

     Mickey Rooney and Elizabeth Taylor give spirited performances in this highly acclaimed drama, beloved by families for generations. He’s an ex-jockey named Mi who has taken a job as a stable boy, thereafter becoming an adopted member of the farmer’s family. He befriends one of the farmer’s daughters, a feisty girl with equestrian hopes and galloping dreams. To her delight she wins a young horse in a local raffle contest, much to her father’s chagrin. Eventually she coaxes Mi into training the horse to be a champion, with hope that he could enter the prestigious Grand National competition. With terrific performances to spare and a breathtaking steeplechase sequence, this film has stood the test of time and can be appreciated by everyone. Oscar-winner for Best Supporting Actress (Anne Revere), Best Film Editing. Later developed into a television series. Deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the United States Library of Congress National Film Registry.
OUR RATING— ***
FOLLOWED BY— International Velvet (1978)