The presence of three newcomers in this 1944 homie drama makes this historically important as well as visually appealing, considering the gorgeous landscape of the Indiana country utilized to unwrap a gorgeous view of a way life used to be. The three newcomers are Lon McAllister, Jeanne Crain and June Haver, all talented and filled with potential. They are joined by veteran actors Walter Brennan and Charlotte Greenwood in a touching story of a troubled young man's arrival in Indiana, being taken in by aunt and uncle Greenwood and Brennan, and turning his life around thanks to his involvement and the local horse racing track.
One of the interesting elements of this film is showing McAllister becoming very close friends with two black characters, the young Willie Best and the older Sam McDaniel who work at the horse racing track. McAllister, unspoiled by society, treats them as equals and while it is never pointed out, Best becomes his closest friend with McDaniel pretty much playing his mentor. Tomboyish Crain and glamorous Haver provide chip healing feminine elements of the story with Crain obviously secretly jealous of the upper-class Haver.
The gorgeous Technicolor filming makes this easy on the eye, especially with the seasons changing and the various leaf colors same throughout the film. on extended Christmas sequence in the movie makes for perfect holiday viewing as well. The most impressive story elements is the close relationship that McAllister gains with Aunt Greenwood who has stuck by embittered alcoholic Brennan through his disappointments over losing his horses in the past, but when McAllister inspires Brennan to get back into the sport, it becomes very touching. this is crowd-pleasing for sure, and it truly does stand the test of time.
One of the interesting elements of this film is showing McAllister becoming very close friends with two black characters, the young Willie Best and the older Sam McDaniel who work at the horse racing track. McAllister, unspoiled by society, treats them as equals and while it is never pointed out, Best becomes his closest friend with McDaniel pretty much playing his mentor. Tomboyish Crain and glamorous Haver provide chip healing feminine elements of the story with Crain obviously secretly jealous of the upper-class Haver.
The gorgeous Technicolor filming makes this easy on the eye, especially with the seasons changing and the various leaf colors same throughout the film. on extended Christmas sequence in the movie makes for perfect holiday viewing as well. The most impressive story elements is the close relationship that McAllister gains with Aunt Greenwood who has stuck by embittered alcoholic Brennan through his disappointments over losing his horses in the past, but when McAllister inspires Brennan to get back into the sport, it becomes very touching. this is crowd-pleasing for sure, and it truly does stand the test of time.