National Velvet

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National Velvet ★★★★ 1944 (G)

Velvet Brown (Taylor) wins a horse in a raffle and is determined to train it to compete in the famed Grand National race with the help of her best friend, Mi (Rooney). Taylor, only 12 at the time, is superb in her first starring role. Rooney also gives a fine performance. Filmed with a loving eye on lushly decorated sets, this is a masterpiece version of the story of affection between a girl and her pet. Based on the novel by Enid Bagnold and followed by the dismal “International Velvet” in 1978. 124m/C VHS, DVD . Elizabeth Taylor, Mickey Rooney, Arthur Treacher, Donald Crisp, Anne Revere, Angela Lansbury, Reginald Owen, Norma Varden, Jackie “Butch” Jenkins, Terence (Terry) Kilburn; D: Clarence Brown; W: Theodore Reeves, Helen Deutsch; C: Leonard Smith; M: Herbert Stothart. Oscars ‘45: Film Editing, Support. Actress (Revere), Natl. Film Reg. ‘03.

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National Velvet

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National Velvet