In the blue grass country of Kentucky, dimpled teenager James McCallion (as Danny Lowman) is overjoyed upon the arrival, during a thunderstorm, of young "Gantry the Great". Later, lightning strikes his thoroughbred horse stables, leading to the deaths of both Mr. McCallion's father and the young colt's mother. Since the deceased John Butler (as Mack Lowman) was accused of fixing races, creditors seize son McCallion's assets. The now penniless lad leaves "Gantry" in the care of plucky platonic girlfriend Edith Fellows (as Midge Griner), then leaves to become a jockey. "Gantry" grows up on Ms. Fellows farm, under the care of her horse ranch owner father Granville Bates (as Bob Griner)...
Elsewhere, McCallion has run afoul of the law. Actually innocent, he returns to work for Ms. Fellows' father, upon her insistence. Meanwhile, "Gantry" has proved difficult to train. Inevitably, the troubled McCallion and the frisky thoroughbred work magic at the race track, then tragedy strikes This will be no surprise to anyone watching the film's opening, but it doesn't really extinguish interest. The story has you believing in "Gantry" jumping to victory. In his starring role, McCallion is very appealing. You may even forgive "Danny" for using likable "Domino" Sam McDaniels as a guinea pig. This unassuming film is nicely photographed by Ted McCord and tightly edited by Frank DeWar with director William McGann.
****** Pride of the Blue Grass (10/7/39) William McGann ~ James McCallion, Edith Fellows, Sam McDaniels, Granville Bates
Elsewhere, McCallion has run afoul of the law. Actually innocent, he returns to work for Ms. Fellows' father, upon her insistence. Meanwhile, "Gantry" has proved difficult to train. Inevitably, the troubled McCallion and the frisky thoroughbred work magic at the race track, then tragedy strikes This will be no surprise to anyone watching the film's opening, but it doesn't really extinguish interest. The story has you believing in "Gantry" jumping to victory. In his starring role, McCallion is very appealing. You may even forgive "Danny" for using likable "Domino" Sam McDaniels as a guinea pig. This unassuming film is nicely photographed by Ted McCord and tightly edited by Frank DeWar with director William McGann.
****** Pride of the Blue Grass (10/7/39) William McGann ~ James McCallion, Edith Fellows, Sam McDaniels, Granville Bates