National Velvet
US (1944): Drama/Family
Here is the poignant story of Velvet Brown (a 12-year-old Elizabeth Taylor), a young working-class girl who wins a horse in a raffle and, with the help of a skittish, gun-shy ex-jockey (Mickey Rooney), trains it to enter the prestigious Grand National race. When their jockey pulls out, Velvet disguises herself as a boy and rides to victory in a thrilling race sequence. This uplifting adaptation of Enid Bagnold's novel features stunning photography of coastal England. The MGM cast also includes Donald Crisp, Angela Lansbury, Arthur Treacher, Jackie "Butch" Jenkins and Juanita Quigley. Anne Revere, who won an Academy Award for her role as the persevering mother in this film, was blacklisted in 1951 for taking the Fifth Amendment before HUAC and refusing to name names. She did not make another film until 1970. National Velvet premiered in NYC December 14, 1944, and went into general release January 26, 1945. (amctv.com)
5 nominations, 2 Awards
· Best Supporting Actress 1945: Anne Revere
· Best Film Editing 1945: Robert J. Kern
· Directing 1945: Clarence Brown
· Interior Decoration (Color) 1945: Cedric Gibbons, Urie McCleary - Art Direction, Edwin B. Willis & Mildred Griffiths - Set Decoration
· Cinematography (Color) 1945: Leonard Smith