The Great Dan Patch (1949)

Story of the legendary trotting horse Dan Patch.

Director:

Joseph M. Newman (as Joe Newman)

Writer:

John Taintor Foote

Stars:

Dennis O'Keefe, Gail Russell, Ruth Warrick

Cast

Cast overview:
Dennis O'Keefe	...	David Palmer
Gail Russell	...	Cissy Lathrop
Ruth Warrick	...	Ruth Treadwell
Charlotte Greenwood	...	Aunt Netty
Henry Hull	...	Dan Palmer
John Hoyt	...	Ben Lathrop
Arthur Hunnicutt	...	Chet Williams
Clarence Muse	...	Voodoo
Harry Lauter	...	Bud Ransome
Highland Dale	...	Dan Patch, a Horse

Storyline

David Palmer, a young chemist, returns to his father's Indiana farm, to marry a local school teacher, Ruth Treadwell. David meets again his father's horse-trainer, Ben Lathrop, whose daughter, Cissy, has left high school to help her father. Palmer marries and becomes wealthy through an invention, and is able to indulge his socially-ambitious wife. His father dies and Palmer returns to Indiana, where his interest in harness-racing is rekindled, as is his interest in Cissy Lathrop.

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Plot Keywords:

horse movie | indiana | chemist | harness racing | horse | 

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Taglines:

Here is the thundering drama of America's most fabulous days! (original poster)

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Genres:

Adventure | Biography | Drama | Romance | Sport

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 July 1949 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ride a Reckless Mile

Filming Locations:

General Service Studios - 1040 N. Las Palmas, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

W.R. Frank Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White (Sepiatone)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

My Old Kentucky Home, Good-Night
Written by Stephen Foster

User Reviews

Loved the movie, even though it isn't history

This movie is about 30% accurate, but manages to capture the essence and appeal of the big horse, Dan Patch. The horse was unbeaten in 11 years of racing on the track and, by all accounts, kind and gentle off the track. The level of the horses appeal can be measured by the fact that the day after the horse died, the owner, M. W. Savage, also died. I believe the two female leads turn, Gail Russell and Ruth Warwick turned in exceptional performances, with Ms. Warwick giving a performance of award-Winning caliber. Maybe Claire Trevor deserved the best supporting actress Oscar that year, but I think Ms. Warwick deserved at least a nomination. The rest of the cast gave workmanlike performances. Truth may be stranger than fiction, but, in this case, fiction can make a better movie than fact.