Sylvester (1984)

Editor's Note Melissa Gilbert made her film debut in this cowgirl fairy tale, as Charlie, a sixteen-year-old orphan whose love of horses and stubborn determination transforms her from a down-on-her-luck cowgirl into a skillful and prize-winning equestrian. While working at a Texas stockyard breaking horses, Charlie falls in love with an ornery bronco and names him Sylvester. When she loses her job, she must struggle to find a home for her two younger brothers and keep her dreams of becoming an Olympic rider alive. With the help of her old stockyard boss, Foster (Richard Farnsworth), she learns the riding skills she needs to fufill her dreams of competing in the National Equestrian Finals. The support and mentoring of ex-cavalrymen Foster helps Charlie to realizes her potential as she rides her beloved Sylvester in the competition. Directed by Tim Hunter, SYLVESTER is the sweet story of a young girl growing up and rising above her circumstances.

	Constance Towers
	Melissa Gilbert
	Michael Schoeffling
	Peter Kowanko
	Richard Farnsworth
	Yankton Hatten
	Carol Sobieski - Screenplay
	David Garfield, et al. - Editor
	Hiro Narita - Cinematographer
	Martin Jurow - Producer
	Tim Hunter - Director

While attempting to raise her orphaned younger brothers, the stubborn and determined Charlie (Melissa Gilbert) along with her cynical mentor, Foster (Richard Farnsworth), undertake the training of an ornery ex-rodeo horse, in hopes of bringing him up to Olympic caliber. A sweetly touching fairy tale of a young girl realizing her dreams and bucking the odds. New York Times
"...Sincerity that only the owner of a glue factory could hate....Nicely acted by [Gilbert]..." 03/15/1985 p.C8

Variety
"...[Gilbert and Farnsworth] deliver solid performances....A drama with decent values [and] quiet, steady pacing..." 03/20/1985

Los Angeles Times
"...SYLVESTER is a pretty neat movie..." 03/15/1985 p.C16