National Velvet (1944) | |
| Director(s) | Clarence Brown |
| Producer(s) | Pandro S. Berman, Clarence Brown (uncredited) |
| Top Genres | Drama, Family, Film Adaptation, Sports |
| Top Topics | Animals, Book-Based, Children, Coming of Age, England, Horses |
Featured Cast:
National Velvet Overview:
National Velvet (1944) was a Drama - Family Film directed by Clarence Brown and produced by Clarence Brown and Pandro S. Berman.
The film was based on the novel of the same name written by Enid Bagnold published in 1935.
SYNOPSIS
Here is the poignant story of Velvet Brown (a 12-year-old Taylor), a young, working-class girl who wins a horse in a raffle and, with the help of a skittish, gun-shy ex-jockey (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 Bagnold's novel features stunning photography of coastal England.
(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).
.National Velvet was inducted into the National Film Registry in 2003.
Academy Awards 1945 --- Ceremony Number 18 (source: AMPAS)
| Award | Recipient | Result |
| Best Supporting Actress | Anne Revere | Won |
| Best Art Direction | Art Direction: Cedric Gibbons, Urie McCleary; Interior Decoration: Edwin B. Willis, Mildred Griff | Nominated |
| Best Cinematography | Leonard Smith | Nominated |
| Best Director | Clarence Brown | Nominated |
| Best Film Editing | Robert J. Kern | Won |
BlogHub Articles:
This World Needs Its Dreamers: Clarence Brown?s National Velvet (Exclusive Guest Post by Author Gwenda Young)
By Guest Post on Dec 4, 2018 From Classic Movie Hub Blog?This World Needs Its Dreamers” Clarence Brown?s National Velvet (1944) Exclusive Guest Post by Author Gwenda Young In a reappraisal of National Velvet written in the 1960s, Pauline Kael observed that ?it touches areas in our experience that movies rarely touch ? the passions and obsessions ... Read full article
National Velvet (1944)
By 4 Star Film Fan on Jul 24, 2018 From 4 Star Films“Everyone should have a chance at a breathtaking piece of folly, once in his life.” ~ Anne Revere as Mrs. Brown There’s been many a boxing and a ball sport movie and so it seems?only fair?that there be room for at least one more Technicolor horse drama, especially one with?the brea... Read full article
National Velvet
By Amanda Garrett on Aug 30, 2017 From Old Hollywood FilmsToday, I'm reviewing National Velvet (1945). The classic family film stars Elizabeth Taylor as a young girl who rides her beloved horse in the Grand National race. This article is part of The 2017 Summer Under the Stars Blogathon hosted by Journeys in Classic Film. Aug. 31 is Taylor's SUTS Day. ... Read full article
ClassicFlix (Teen Scene): National Velvet (1944)
By Virginie Pronovost on Jun 28, 2017 From The Wonderful World of CinemaFrom March 2015 to April 2017, I was writing the monthly Teen Scene column for the website ClassicFlix. My objective was to promote classic films among teenagers and young adults. Due to the establishing of a new version of the website, it?s now more difficult to access to the old version and read t... Read full article
National Velvet (1944)
By Beatrice on Nov 18, 2014 From Flickers in TimeNational Velvet Directed by Clarence Brown Written by Theodore Reeves and Helen Deutsch from a novel by Enid Bagnold 1944/USA Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Repeat viewing/Netflix rental A quite enjoyable family entertainment about a girl who loves horses and a boy who helps make her dreams come true. ?Ev... Read full article
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Quotes from
Mr. Herbert Brown: Donald, you told a story, didn't you?
Donald Brown: Yes, sir, it was a story.
Mr. Herbert Brown: Well, you know what to do.
Donald Brown: What?
Mr. Herbert Brown: You say you're sorry.
[Donald puts his head on his hand]
Mr. Herbert Brown: Well?
Mrs. Brown: He's thinking.
Mr. Herbert Brown: [to Donald] Well, make up your mind.
Donald Brown: Alright, I'm sorry.
[continues eating his dinner]
Mr. Herbert Brown: Well, go on. Sorry for what?
Donald Brown: For being sick all night!
Mr. Herbert Brown: That boy will make a lawyer.
[Mrs. Brown is talking with Velvet in the attic]
Mrs. Brown: We're alike. I, too, believe that everyone should have a chance at a breathtaking piece of folly once in his life. I was twenty when they said a woman couldn't swim the Channel. You're twelve; you think a horse of yours can win the Grand National. Your dream has come early; but remember, Velvet, it will have to last you all the rest of your life.
Mrs. Brown: What's the meaning of goodness if there isn't a little badness to overcome?
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Facts about
The race-course map which Mi shows Velvet is an accurate portrayal of the real-life Grand National course at Aintree, near Liverpool. What's more, like the movie, the course actually has a Becher's Brook jump and a Canal Turn jump with its sharp left turn.
One of the few films to be shown on commercial network television after being shown on local stations, rather than the other way around.
read more facts about National Velvet...
