The Red Pony (1949)

Director:

Lewis Milestone

Writers:

John Steinbeck (novel)
John Steinbeck (screenplay)

Release Date:

28 March 1949 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Family | Western

Plot:

A ranch boy is gifted with a colt, grows to love him but the colt escapes, with tragic results.

Plot Keywords:

Colt | Pony | Rainstorm | False Accusation | Vulture

Cast

Myrna Loy	...	Alice Tiflin
Robert Mitchum	...	Billy Buck
Louis Calhern	...	Grandfather
Shepperd Strudwick	...	Mr. Fred Tiflin
Peter Miles	...	Tom 'Mr. Big Britches' Tiflin
Margaret Hamilton	...	Teacher
Patty King	...	Jinx Ingals
Jackie Jackson	...	Jackie
Beau Bridges	...	Beau
Don Reynolds	...	Little Brown Jug (as Little Brown Jug)
Nino Tempo	...	Nino
Tommy Sheridan	...	Dale

Also Known As:

John Steinbeck's The Red Pony (UK) (complete title) (USA) (complete title)

Runtime:

89 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

UK:PG | UK:U (original rating) | Finland:S | USA:Approved (PCA #12907)

Filming Locations:

Agoura, California, USA

Company:

Chas. K. Feldman Group Productions Inc.

Trivia:

In one of the school scenes, the children say the Pledge of Allegiance with their right arms extended, pointed toward the flag. This was the Bellamy Salute suggested by the socialist Francis Bellamy (brother of futurist author Edward) who wrote the original version of the Pledge. Due to its similarity to the Nazi and Fascist salute, FDR changed the position to hand-over-the-heart. This was later codified into law in 1942.

Movie Connections:

Version of The Red Pony (1973) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Shall We Gather at the River?

Could Have Been a Lot Better

Two of the funniest men I ever saw were Bob and Ray. A comedy team that did some of the cleverest word play ever. An example. Bob would say, "You can see the Kimodo Dragon at the Washington Zoo. Ray would look at him and ask, "And if you wanted to see one of these interesting creatures, where might you and your family go." The delivery was slow and drawling. That's what this movie is like. It's a great story. It's about relationships and pain and isolation. It's about a father who just can't relate to his son. Then there's Billy Buck, played by Robert Mitchum. He speaks like this too. There are these pregnant pauses all over the place. You almost want to say, "Hurry up. We're not getting anywhere." The grandfather drones on about his adventures in the Western movement, driving the father crazy. The little boy has about as much charisma as a stump. I used to assign this story to ninth graders. They really like the book. The movie was so anti-climactic after the reading. They were so disappointed, it detracted from the enjoyment of the book. I'm not saying this is the worst movie ever. It could have been truly better with a little better direction and writing.