A jaded former jockey helps a young girl prepare a wild but gifted horse for England's Grand National Sweepstakes.
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Title: National Velvet (1944)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Mickey Rooney | ... | Mi Taylor | |
| Donald Crisp | ... | Mr. Brown | |
| Elizabeth Taylor | ... | Velvet Brown | |
| Anne Revere | ... | Mrs. Brown | |
| Angela Lansbury | ... | Edwina Brown | |
| Jackie 'Butch' Jenkins | ... | Donald Brown (as Jackie Jenkins) | |
| Juanita Quigley | ... | Malvolia Brown | |
| Arthur Treacher | ... | Race Patron | |
| Reginald Owen | ... | Farmer Ede | |
| Norma Varden | ... | Miss Sims | |
| Terry Kilburn | ... | Ted | |
| Arthur Shields | ... | Mr. Hallam | |
| Aubrey Mather | ... | Entry Official | |
| Alec Craig | ... | Tim | |
| Eugene Loring | ... | I. Taski | |
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Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
Storyline
Mi Taylor was a young wanderer and opportunist whose father had given him "all the roads in the Kingdom" to travel. One of the roads, and a notation in his father's journal, leads him to the quiet English country-side home of the Brown family. The youngest daughter, Velvet, has a passion for horses and when she wins the spirited steed Pie in a town lottery, Mi is encouraged to train the horse for the Grand National - England's greatest racing event. Written by A.L.Beneteau <albl@inforamp.net>
Taglines:
M-G-M's Great TECHNICOLOR Heart Drama See more »Parents Guide:
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
26 January 1945 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Fuego de juventud See more »Filming Locations:
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA See more »Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)Color:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1
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Donald Brown: I'll only fall asleep.
Mr. Herbert Brown: That is the general purport and intention.
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Did You Know?
Trivia
The story that Mi tells to Donald about a shipwrecked horse is based on a true story about a New Zealand-bred thoroughbred named "Moiffa" who did in fact survive his ordeal and went on to win the Grand National the following year. In 1979 Mickey Rooney starred in The Black Stallion (1979), which is about a shipwrecked horse that goes on to win a major race. See more »Goofs
The horses are shown turning right during the race. All turns on the Grand National course are made to the left. See more »Quotes
Mr. Herbert Brown: Donald, go back to bed.Donald Brown: I'll only fall asleep.
Mr. Herbert Brown: That is the general purport and intention.
See more »
Crazy Credits
A frame, with music, was added to the film at the end: "To families of servicemen and women: Pictures exhibited in this theater are given to the armed forces for showing in combat areas around the world. [signed] War Activities Committee/Motion Picture Industry" See more »Contribute to This Page
Enjoy a night in with these popular movies available to stream now with Prime Video.
"National Velvet" tells the story of Velvet Brown, a young English girl with dreams of entering her beloved horse into competition at the prestigious Grand National horse race. The film follows her as she trains her horse with the aid of a former jockey and the support of her parents.
While "National Velvet" is a family film that fact shouldn't deter anyone who typically views such films with derision. The film is indeed one that will appeal to the entire family, not just attention-addled youngsters. It even managed to land five Oscar nominations, hardly a sign of slacking off for a general audience.
Anne Revere, in the part of Velvet's mother, actually won an Oscar for her performance. She was indeed excellent in the role but it is 12-year old Elizabeth Taylor who steals the show. She is a charming presence and exhibits a talent beyond her years. Also on board is Oscar-winner Donald Crisp as Velvet's father, Mickey Rooney as former jockey Mi Taylor and Angela Lansbury (in one of her earliest film roles) as Velvet's older sister.
The film's lustrous Technicolor makes for an attractive viewing experience while the editing secured the second of the film's two Oscars. Additionally, the film was nominated for its direction (by Clarence Brown), cinematography & art direction. The score by ten-time Oscar nominee Herbert Stothart is also worth mentioning, though it went unnominated.
All in all, "National Velvet" is a wonderful family film that deserves a higher rating. I realize that the prospect of watching a film about a girl and her horse isn't exactly going to thrill some people but this one is worth taking a chance on.