Nat Velvet (1944)

"One of the most likeable movies of all time.  Pauline Kael, 5001 Nights at The Movies

Editor's Note NATIONAL VELVET is the poignant family story that made a young Elizabeth Taylor a star. Taylor excels as Velvet Brown, a 1920s working-class girl whose dreams of owning her own horse become a reality when she wins Pie, a wild and unruly horse, in a raffle. With the help of Mi Taylor (Mickey Rooney), a skittish, gun-shy ex-jockey, Velvet trains Pie to be a race champion despite the wishes of her loving but cautious parents (Donald Crisp and Ann Revere). Velvet's determination pays off, and the Brown family (including Angela Lansbury as Edwina, Velvet's sophisticated older sister) pools its money and enters the family pride and joy in the prestigious Grand National race, only to have its hopes dashed when the rider renegs--leading Velvet to do something extraordinary. This uplifting adaptation of Enid Bagnold's novel features stunning photography of coastal England and acclaimed crosscut editing that heightens the tension in the famous race scene. Young costars Elizabeth Taylor and Mickey Rooney are fabulous together, full of youthful charm and exuberance, ably supported by a first-rate ensemble cast.

	Angela Lansbury
	Anne Revere
	Arthur Treacher
	Donald Crisp
	Elizabeth Taylor
	Mickey Rooney
	Enid Bagnold - Based On Novel By
	Leonard Smith - Cinematographer
	Clarence Brown - Director
	Herbert Stothart - Musical Score
	Pandro S. Berman - Producer
	Theodore Reeves - Screenplay
	Helen Deutsch - Screenplay

When Velvet, a headstrong teenage girl, wins an unruly horse in a contest, she decides--against the wishes of her parents--to train the animal and enter it in England's most prestigious horse race: the Grand National Sweepstakes. But her friend, a jockey who gave up the sport, knows how dangerous the race can be with such an unpredictable animal. Empire
5 stars out of 5 -- "Top-billed Mickey Rooney was never better as the horse trainer on the make, but even he is bested by the passionate conviction of exquisite, 12 year-old Elizabeth Taylor, utterly enchanting as Velvet Brown." 10/01/2008 p.175

Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide 10 of 10
Outstanding family film... Taylor is irresistible, Rooney was never better, and they're surrounded by a perfect supporting cast...