Gallant Bess (1946) User Reviews

A war story... a horse story... a war horse story

[Silver Dollar · 8/10 · 24 January 2005]

My mother drove me to school, one morning when I was nine. On the way, she mystified me by announcing she'd pick me up early. She wouldn't say why, just smiled and said it'd be a surprise. In my family, you did't skip school for anything less than snow, illness, or death. so this was odd.

I wondered about the surprise thing all morning. At noon, Mom picked me up and drove me home. My favorite lunch was waiting on the table. I thought that was the surprise, but no, she said, something else was yet to come....

After lunch, she planted the two of us in front of the TV and told me, "There's a special movie on, this afternoon. I want you to see it."

It was "Gallant Bess."

I was a horse-crazy little girl with my own horse standing in a corral out back, but I remember being extraordinarily touched by "Gallant Bess." The adults in my life were still talking about WWII as if it'd just happened, so that seemed very close to me, too. I felt for that farm boy who lost his mare, Bess, to the WWII cause, and found her again, in what I was told was based on a true story. By the end, I was so caught up in empathizing with that young man and the horse, the ending seemed scary and amazing and is still clear in my mind's eye.

I suppose, compared to the high-tech, computer-enhanced images of today's films, "Gallant Bess" may seem mild. Those were simpler times. Maybe the acting's not outstanding, but there's a goodly amount of action and suspense.

This film impressed my mother so much that she took me out of school to see it. Once I'd seen it, I understood why. If you like a moving animal story, or if you've got a horse-crazy little kid in your house, y'all should see it, too.

I'm happy there was some real life to the story on the screen

[cougarblue-696-806128 · 6/10 · 11 September 2018]

I looked through the many comments all 10's (that I saw), so I found I had a battle going on, do I give "Gallant Bess" a 10 also, or should I give it the same critical look as I do with any other film. Sorry I had to go with the later as much as I wanted to be part of the "Gang". When I was a little squirt like all the other squirts, Saturday meant the parents went shopping downtown and the kids went to the movies. My favorite films were Disney's Nature Shpw "The Living Deseret" and "The Apple Dumpling Gang". The first serious show I remember was "Fire Over India" that for some weird reason I understood all that was happening, the story was clear even to a doopy kid like me. Had I seen "Gallant Bess" I' sure it would have made my list too, but it was in the theatres 10+ years before I occupied a seat. Would I put "Gallant Bess" up there with "Best Years of Our Lives" and a few other films that were the best films I had even seen, all deserving 10 stars, NO The real story is far better than the story the screen writers came up with, but the film is still interesting and worth 90 minutes of your time. It's a good horse movie, when horse movies were quite popular, Flicka, Shane, the Black Stallion (original) and many more. Marshall Thompson plays the main character a SeaBee, his second assignment , he was also a SeaBee in "There Were Expendable" with John Wayne and Robert Montgomery. He had been making 4-5 films a year in 1944, 1945, in 1946 when this film was released he was a pretty experienced thespian, yet his reactions especially his facial expressions were a bit too early and over the top. I enjoyed "Gallant Bess" it's a feel good film that kids might just enjoy, for those who love Wolrd War Two films you'll enjoy the setting.

True story behind the movie....

[mrpex · 10/10 · 17 February 2000]

To any Bess fans...

Here is the true story behind how Bess was saved and how the movie came to be...

The movie script was written around the true story of a man named Arthur Parker, born and raised by Joseph Parker on a horse ranch in the late 1800s/early 1900s in Montana. At age 16, Art lied about his age to join the U.S. Navy, and began his long military career, personally knowing Pancho Villas in the Spanish-American War, and serving in World War I. He later earned his wings as one of the Navy's earliest enlisted aviators, and eventually became friends with Charles Lindbergh and helped in the construction of the Spirit of St. Louis. Rivets that he punched by hand while helping in the construction of the aircraft can still be seen in the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum.

Art was on active duty and was actually in Pearl Harbor on that fateful day in 1941 that signaled American involvement in W.W.II and received a Purple Heart due to injuries sustained during the attack. Towards the end of his career as an active duty serviceman, and after having achieved the highest enlisted rank of Chief Boatswain, Art was stationed in the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific.

A sugar cane farmer that had befriended Art due to their mutual interest and previous experience in rearing horses contacted Art after a Japanese air raid. A filly and foal had become injured by flying shrapnel from the falling Japanese bombs. Though the foal was terminally infected at this point, the filly was rescued and returned to full health, with only minimal scarring on one rear quarter. Having raised and trained horses on his father's ranch as a child, Art raised and quickly trained "Bess", and she became a pet and unit mascot, sleeping among the sailors in Art's camp, and being treated to morning coffee and other treats, just like the other sailors. She was also quickly trained to flee to a sandbagged cave that the sailors constructed for her for protection when the air raid sirens blared, hence the nick name "Foxhole Flicca" (not her real name).

When Art was ordered to return to the U.S. at the end of his tour, he was denied repeated attempts for permission to transport Bess to the U.S. on government ships until the First Lady, Mrs. Roosevelt, learned of the story, and quickly, a stall and hay were fashioned and stored aboard ships for the horse and master for their trip back stateside.

Upon reaching the States, and the story about her rescue and transport to the U. S. became circulated, Bess and Art were, in circles, celebrities. Art and Bess toured with the U.S.O., with Bess performing stage tricks, such as counting, etc.

Shortly after the U.S.O. tours, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer contacted Art in regards to a movie based on his experiences saving Gallant Bess (her true full name). Though the movie bears minimal resemblance to the actual rescue and story, further pictures were planned based on "The Adventures of Gallant Bess", but due to contractual disputes between Art and MGM (the movie "Gallant Bess" did not follow the true story, as had been initially promis ed Art by MGM, though Art did act as an advisor to the movie. Bess did star as herself, and Art did have a cameo role in the movie, calming Bess in a scene where the actor Marshall Thomas, playing the role of Art, couldn't calm Bess during a violent storm, but the character Art played, could.), Art refused to work with MGM.

Bess, with Art as her trainer and master, went on to star in other movies with actors such as Charles Lindbergh (a close family friend by now), Elizabeth Taylor, Judy Garland, and others, and eventually retired in Grass Valley, California, in the late 1950s.

Bess gave birth to Gallant Pat in the early 1960s and was put to sleep at the University of California, Davis, around 1967 due to a brain tumor. Arthur Parker subsequently died of natural causes in 1983, at age 86.

Shortly before graduating high school while on a "date" with my father, my mother entered the barn holding my father's and grandfather's horses. On the floor at the door of the entrance to the barn was a cemented plaque that stated "The Home Of Gallant Bess". Mom asked Dad why they had named one of their horses after the movie, and Dad told Mom the movie was named after Grandpa Art's horse, Gallant Bess.

That's the true story of how Grandpa Art rescued Bess (though I never knew her, Dad, Mom, and Uncle Richard all rode her as kids).

Though the entire story behind Grandpa's adventures sound like the script to an all-too-cliche' movie, the story is all true. Amazing as it is, it's a wonder that MGM forsaw the need to change any part of it to make "Gallant Bess" seem any more spectacular.

If you are lucky enough to ever come across a copy of the movie, my family would greatly appreciate information as to how you got it. We have albums of autographed pictures of Liz Taylor riding Bess, Judy Garland on Grandpa's lap, as a kid, and memorabilia from Charles Lindburgh, and from filming the movie "Gallant Bess", including the original contract signed by MGM agents and Grandpa' Art, though no one has been able to attain a copy of the movie itself.

I have attempted several attempts to find out who now owns the rights to the movie, and from what I understand, TCM (Turner Classic Movies, Ted Turner) owns the rights. I have inquired TCM on several attempts, with full explanation as to my connection to the movie, as to where I might get a copy of the movie for familial archives, but have never even received a courtesy reply.

Again, any comments, further true accounts or corrections to this post may be directed to my email address, [e-mail]. Any help in finding a copy of the movie, or input from anyone involved with the movie or any of the other events would be greatly appreciated and welcomed by me and my family.

Regards,

Chris Parker

Based on a true story

[misterpex-1 · 7 December 2006]

Some people are unsure if Gallant Bess is based on a true story or not.

It is. Sort of.

The second half of the movie, when Tex rescues a horse during the war, was based on my grandfather's rescue of Bess while on the Solomon Islands during WWII.

Bess starred as herself in the movie, ie, the horse that was really rescued was the horse in the movie.

Search Wikipedia.org for "Gallant Bess" for the article I am writing regarding the true story.

Glad to see people out there still enjoy this movie! I tease my dad, who's father was Bess' master ("Tex" in the movie) and who rode Bess all the time as a kid, about having cried when he saw the movie for the first time as a kid.

Gallant Bess - a terrific movie!!

[purfectgrace · 10/10 · 9 November 2006]

I have been a horse lover for all my life. I saw Gallant Bess on black and white TV many years ago. I did a google search hoping to find out if it had been released on DVD. This is a story told the way stories were told back in the good old days. There was a plot. There were emotional scenes that tore your heart apart but at the end all was put back together and all was right with the world. Bad was bad and good was good. Right was right and wrong was wrong. If you love animals you would love this movie. If you love a good cry, it fills the bill. And if you love crying from happiness you will love it more. If you think this is something you would like to see, how about contacting Ted Turner's group and letting him know you'd appreciate a good one re-released from the past. Thanks for the background info too! I really want to see this one again, especially since I know Gallant Bess really lived!

I Finally Saw Gallant Bess this Weekend After 40 years.

[skippylc · 10/10 · 12 January 2003]

This is such a great movie. I had a friend contact Bridgestone, (I think that is the name) a company that sometimes is able to put movies on tape for sale. I guess they get permission although I have no idea how it works. But I heard the company couldn't or wouldn't get Gallant Bess taped. Anyway, it finally aired on January 11 on Turner Classic movies and I taped most of it. I missed the credits. But now I have a copy for my daughter. We loved it. It was the first time I had seen it in 40 some years. I was thrilled. I felt like a kid again. I urge anyone that loves a good old horse story to get Turner Classic Movies to release it. Or at least air it more on TV. It is a cool story for Veterans Day or Memorial Day too. Good luck.

No mere "horse story" BUT a TRUE STORY...

[tandjtrainor · 9 January 2004]

I wish that I could remember the title of the book, but I remember checking it out severals times as a kid and reading it cover to cover. The book had actual photos of Bess delivering water to the seabees and her jumping straight off the ground while under attack by Japanese. It showed her retired in a lush pasture in KY. I enjoyed the movie as much as the book!!

It is the best horse story out there.

Get this movie released!

[anahorst44 · 10/10 · 11 June 2007]

This is one of my all time favorites. I have vivid memories of how Bess went from tank to tank with the water buckets. Then the horrible storm scene. I have tried for years to find this movie, Gypsy Colt, Black Gold, and others. All of us who enjoy this movie need to write TNT & have it released. How can they keep a wonderful movie like this from so many who want it? Especially the family, I am really surprised at that! I really want my child to enjoy it just as I had. Since I do not have cable or Dish, it is very difficult to have access to the classics. If someone was able to catch it on late night TV, and got it recorded, please e-mail me!

glad to see others are looking for this movie

[snoop-dawg · 10/10 · 16 October 2003]

I am glad to see that there are other people out there looking for this wonderful movie. I also have been looking for it for 45 years. I saw it advertised as showing on tv last year and was so excited, only to tune it in and find it wasn't on. Hopefully someone, somewhere has this movie on tape. If so, I would be glad to pay for it. I have a collection of horse movies, being a horse-a-holic myself, and have been looking for this movie for years. it is truly one of my favorites, and one of the best tear jerkers i've seen.

one of my favorite childhood movie

[cis_40 · 10/10 · 29 November 2011]

I loved this movie... saw it as a kid in the theater... always watched it on television over the years... but haven't seen it for years... I always cried... at the age of 71, I still remember the powerful story... Even better than National Velvet. Was the first war movie that I can remember seeing. I think I was about 9 when I saw it the first time at the theater. Any horse lover would never forget it.. I will have to see if Netflix has it.. I remember my scariest part was when Bess got bogged down in the mud and they were trying to get her out... because I was so young, the war part scared me.. but I truly loved the horse.

This is one of my all time favorite horse movies

[sashamarie · 26 August 2002]

I saw this movie as a young horse crazy girl. It was a tear jerker and heart warmer. A beautiful story of friendship and the loyalty of a magnificent animal and the hardships of war. I get teary eyed just thinking about the story. I hope that someday it will be available on video or DVD. I would love for my son to be able to see it. If you are lucky enough to see it, it is well worth the tissues.

The Heart of a Mare!

[DarrellC · 10/10 · 2 January 2013]

An wonderful 'feel good' family movie that gives equines the proper recognition they deserve being that America came to be what it is because of equines. The actual Bess magnificently portrays the incredible soul that is the heart of a mare! I would go so far as to say that this is an inter-species love story of unparalleled quality. What's equally wonderful is that this movie is now available for purchase on Amazon.com and it's worth EVERY PENNY of it's purchase price. Gather the family, get your popcorn and snacks, sit down and prepare for some genuinely 'wholesome' family entertainment! Oh and MANY thanks to Chris Parker for his recounting of the 'true story' of a beautiful angel of light! If only I could have been blessed to meet Bess in real life. Every day I give thanks for the blessing of a life that is centered around equines...

~"To see her is to love her, And love her forever, For Nature made her what she is." - Robert Burns~

Really great heart warming story of a soldier's love for a horse

[grafspee · 10/10 · 6 November 2010]

I had just finished watching our annual national horse race the Melbourne Cup,(an equivalent to the Kentucky Derby over here), and after losing my bets, decided to switch to another channel on my pay TV for some alternative form of entertainment.

By coincidence I got another horse drama, a film - Gallant Bess - a bond of loving friendship between a WW11 soldier and a mare,who both saved one another at respective intervals during the Pacific conflict.

Although nearly towards the end when I signed in, I got enough interest to watch it again in the evening full time,and recorded it.

For any animal lover like myself I found this tale to be one of a great personal relationship, between a young man having lost his original horse, Bess, on the home farm and then in forthcoming events enlists in the Marines to serve his Country.

On an island in the Pacific he discovers a wounded horse,(calls it Bess),and nurses it back to good health, and is rewarded when that horse comes to his own rescue after a skirmish with the Japanese.

Being shipped out later back home without his pet,in an outstanding finale, Bess breaks her tie rope and swims out to the departing vessel and is eventually taken on board by the crew and goes home to the farm for a happy ending.

I would recommend this film to the young children of today to emphasize the importance of how we need more companion animals like this one featured, who seem to prove more worthy in life than that of our own kind in our present society.

I am still trying to find a copy of this great story.

[skippylc · 10/10 · 29 May 2002]

With Memorial Day weekend gone by again, I have once again tried to find this movie. If anyone reads this please let Turner Classic Movies know by writing or logging onto their site that we would like to see this movie or at least like to have it released on video for our kids to see. I heard that TCM has the title rights. This is a great story and I am sure if anyone would show it, more people would remember it and want it played for our kids and Veterans alike. And if anyone has a copy, let me know. Thanks

I too am looking for this wonderful, heart wrenching, heart warming movie that so impressed me as a child.

[Lydeckers · 10/10 · 12 December 2006]

I too was a horse crazy little girl when I saw the movie, Gallant Bess. I have never forgotten that movie and have looked and looked for years to get a copy. Of all the animal movies I have watched and I either own or have seen almost all of them that have come out over the years, including TV series animal shows, this movie made one of the deepest impressions on me. I am so happy to know who now owns the rights to it and that it has been aired in more recent years. I own and show many, many dogs and have had horses up to about two years ago (I am now 68), but this movie has stayed with me all my life. I will continue to pursue the purchase of it somehow, someway. Most of all, I am thrilled to find out that the horse and the story are true. That makes it even more endearing. Maybe if enough of us hound Turner Classic Movies, they will at least air it again so we can tape it or buy it someday.

I enjoyed this movie during my youth. One of my all time favorites.

[l385298 · 10 November 1999]

This is one of two war movie ( The other was Sargent York)that I remember enjoying as a youth. I love movies with horses. Other movies I enjoyed are My Friend Flicka, Thunderhead(Son of Flicka) and Tonka(Disney movie). There was plenty of action in the film and a lot of sentiment. It has been a long time since I saw this movie. However, I liked it so much, I can close my eyes and mental see the story. I have been searching for a copy of this movie for several years.

I am a huge Gallant Bess fan from Australia

[jht-2 · 31 July 2003]

I am a huge Gallant Bess fan from Australia. I haven't seen this movie for 35 years, but still remember it was one of the best movies of all time. I am desperately trying to locate a copy of this movie to keep so if anyone reads this that can help I will be forever in your debt. I too have a daughter that I want so badly to show this movie to, please if anyone can help me, contact me. Thank you to imdb web site for finding me some more info on Gallant Bess.