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The Great Dan Patch

  • 19491949
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
244
YOUR RATING
Dennis O'Keefe and Gail Russell in The Great Dan Patch (1949)
AdventureBiographyDrama
Story of the legendary trotting horse Dan Patch.Story of the legendary trotting horse Dan Patch.Story of the legendary trotting horse Dan Patch.
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
244
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Joseph M. Newman
  • Writer
    • John Taintor Foote
  • Stars
    • Dennis O'Keefe
    • Gail Russell
    • Ruth Warrick
  • Director
    • Joseph M. Newman
  • Writer
    • John Taintor Foote
  • Stars
    • Dennis O'Keefe
    • Gail Russell
    • Ruth Warrick
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 15User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos10

    Gail Russell and Highland Dale in The Great Dan Patch (1949)
    Dennis O'Keefe in The Great Dan Patch (1949)
    John Hoyt, Harry Lauter, Dennis O'Keefe, and Gail Russell in The Great Dan Patch (1949)
    Dennis O'Keefe and Gail Russell in The Great Dan Patch (1949)
    Dennis O'Keefe, Gail Russell, and Highland Dale in The Great Dan Patch (1949)
    Dennis O'Keefe, Gail Russell, and Highland Dale in The Great Dan Patch (1949)
    Charlotte Greenwood, Arthur Hunnicutt, and Dennis O'Keefe in The Great Dan Patch (1949)
    John Hoyt, Harry Lauter, Dennis O'Keefe, and Gail Russell in The Great Dan Patch (1949)
    Charlotte Greenwood, Dennis O'Keefe, Gail Russell, and Ruth Warrick in The Great Dan Patch (1949)

    Top cast

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    Dennis O'Keefe
    Dennis O'Keefe
    • David Palmer
    Gail Russell
    Gail Russell
    • Cissy Lathrop
    Ruth Warrick
    Ruth Warrick
    • Ruth Treadwell
    Charlotte Greenwood
    Charlotte Greenwood
    • Aunt Netty
    Henry Hull
    Henry Hull
    • Dan Palmer
    John Hoyt
    John Hoyt
    • Ben Lathrop
    Arthur Hunnicutt
    Arthur Hunnicutt
    • Chet Williams
    Clarence Muse
    Clarence Muse
    • Voodoo
    Harry Lauter
    Harry Lauter
    • Bud Ransome
    Highland Dale
    Highland Dale
    • Dan Patch - Horse
    Stanley Blystone
    Stanley Blystone
    • Chris - Work Crew Foreman
    • (uncredited)
    Everett Brown
    Everett Brown
    • Stablehand
    • (uncredited)
    Bill Cartledge
    • Telegram Boy
    • (uncredited)
    Jack Cheatham
    Jack Cheatham
    • Minnesota State Fair Racing Official
    • (uncredited)
    Earle Hodgins
    Earle Hodgins
    • Driver
    • (uncredited)
    Ralph Montgomery
    • Driver
    • (uncredited)
    Davis Roberts
    Davis Roberts
    • Smiler
    • (uncredited)
    Douglas Spencer
    Douglas Spencer
    • Boswell County Fair Racing Official
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Joseph M. Newman
    • Writer
      • John Taintor Foote
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

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    • Soundtracks
      Can't Get You Then - Can't Get You Now
      Written by Martin Broones

      Sung by Clarence Muse

    User reviews15

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    6/10
    Keeps A Good Pace, if not true to form
    What Man O' War was to flat thoroughbred racing Dan Patch was to the sport of harness racing. During the Teddy Roosevelt era in our history this horse was a much a sports hero as Christy Mathewson or John L. Sullivan. He retired undefeated and as the film shows many of his races were simply against the clock as he tried to beat his own pacing speed records which stood for many years.

    But the film The Great Dan Patch is about his original owners who bred and trained him and the trouble that one of them had with the women in his life. Dennis O'Keefe who was raised on an Indiana farm by father Henry Hull and aunt Charlotte Greenwood had a love of horses, but also a love of science. He patented some chemistry formulas and became wealthy. However two women are in love with O'Keefe. Gail Russell who is the daughter of Dan Patch's original trainer John Hoyt and Ruth Warrick who is the town school teacher.

    O'Keefe's life would have been real simple had he married Russell who shares his interest in horses. But Warrick marries a man who will allow her to live and circulate in high society. She's got an interesting part, it's almost like O'Keefe married the grandmother of Harriet Craig.

    If you're expecting a Secretariat like movie with the emphasis on the horse, this will not be the film for you. The Great Dan Patch just keeps on winning harness races as the humans around him make great big mistakes in their personal lives.

    It's a decent film, but I would like to have seen more of the horse.
    helpful•1
    0
    • bkoganbing
    • Jul 6, 2011

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 22, 1949 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Ride a Reckless Mile
    • Filming locations
      • General Service Studios - 1040 N. Las Palmas, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA(Studio)
    • Production company
      • W.R. Frank Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 34 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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