The Yearling (1946)

A boy persuades his parents to allow him to adopt a young deer, but what will happen if the deer misbehaves?

Director:

Clarence Brown

Writers:

Paul Osborn (screen play), Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (based on the Pulitzer Prize novel by)

Stars:

Gregory Peck, Jane Wyman, Claude Jarman Jr.

Won 2 Oscars. Another 1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Gregory Peck	...	Penny Baxter
Jane Wyman	...	Orry Baxter
Claude Jarman Jr.	...	Jody Baxter
Chill Wills	...	Buck Forrester
Clem Bevans	...	Pa Forrester
Margaret Wycherly	...	Ma Forrester
Henry Travers	...	Mr. Boyles
Forrest Tucker	...	Lem Forrester
Donn Gift	...	Fodderwing

Storyline

The family of Civil War veteran Penny Baxter, who lives and works on a farm in Florida with his wife, Orry, and their son, Jody. The only surviving child of the family, Jody longs for companionship and unexpectedly finds it in the form of an orphaned fawn. While Penny is supportive of his son's four-legged friend, Orry is not, leading to heartbreaking conflict.

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Plot Keywords:

deer | fawn | coming of age | pulitzer prize source | dog vs. bear fight | 

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Taglines:

M.G.M. presents in Technicolor

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Genres:

Drama | Family | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the final days of filming, actor Gregory Peck was alternating between the Florida set of this movie and a Texas set, where he was simultaneously filming Duel in the Sun (1946).

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Goofs

When Jody is sitting with Flag, you see little buds where he is beginning to get antlers. In the next scene with Flag, as they are going to bed, you can clearly see that the deer has none at all.

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Quotes

Ma Forrester: [the mood becomes tense as Lem paces about drinking during Penny's visit] Where's ya manners Lem, drinkin' all that jug?
Pa Forrester: [irate] Where's yor'n? Not givin' company a chance to wet their whistles afore dinner!
Buck Forrester: [jumps up for a jug] Pa, you got the most sense for such a old buzzard!
Pa Forrester: Eh, don't take no sense to crave liquor!

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Crazy Credits

All scenes involving animals in this picture were made under the supervision and with the cooperation of the American Humane Association

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Alternate Versions

Reissued theatrically in the 1950s in a 94-minute version. This reissue print was also shown occasionally on television in the 1960s.

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Connections

Referenced in M*A*S*H: Bombed (1975)

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Soundtracks

A Midsummer's Night Dream: Scherzo
(1843) (uncredited)
Music by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
Partly played in the score

User Reviews

It Will Warm Your Heart

This wonderful film is one of a handful that has the power to call me back to my childhood days and wrap me in warm memories of my Mom, Dad and little brother sitting around the television on Saturday night, watching the late show.

From the opening scenes of this beautifully photographed movie I found myself caught-up in the intriguing post Civil War story of a boy and his pet faun and their fantastic adventures on a scruffy Florida Everglades farm. The film stars Gregory Peck, Jane Wyman and Claude Jarman in the lead roles, with some of Hollywood's best character actors in the supporting roles.

Peck gives an Oscar caliber performance as the warmhearted father who does his best to make a better life for his family, with absolutely no help from the elements, which surround them. Jane Wyman brilliantly plays Orry, the hardened mother and wife who is so embittered by past tragedies in her life that she is unable to show any love for her one surviving child for fear of losing him as well. And Claude Jarman plays Jodie, the wistful young boy who is just one summer away from adolescence and all the emotional growing pains that come with it.

This story is laced with excitement and adventure sure to please the kids, but each of the adventures is also a great lesson in life that will stay with them for years to come. The cinematography is spectacular and received a well-deserved Academy Award and the wildlife scenes are incredible as well. Just watching Jodie romp through the woods with his faun is a joyous site to behold. The way Orry finally begins letting herself love her son will bring tears to your eyes. This movie was one of the most emotional experiences of my young life and I believe I am a better person from the lessons learned here.

I highly recommend this film, it is one to be experienced with your entire family.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

May 1947 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Yearling

Filming Locations:

Big Bear Lake, Big Bear Valley, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

128 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1