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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)

AwardRecipientResult
Best Supporting ActressAnne RevereWon
Best Art DirectionArt Direction: Cedric Gibbons, Urie McCleary; Interior Decoration: Edwin B. Willis, Mildred GriffNominated
Best CinematographyLeonard SmithNominated
Best DirectorClarence BrownNominated
Best Film EditingRobert J. KernWon
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National Velvet 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 obs... 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 b... Read full article

ClassicFlix (Teen Scene): National Velvet (1944)

By Virginie Pronovost on Jun 28, 2017 From The Wonderful World of Cinema

From 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... Read full article

National Velvet (1944)

By Beatrice on Nov 18, 2014 From Flickers in Time

National 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.  E... Read full article

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National Velvet Quotes:

Donald Brown: I was sick all night!
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.
Mi Taylor: Some day you'll learn that greatness is only the seizing of opportunity - clutching with your bare hands 'til the knuckles show white.
[Mi is trying to tell Velvet the "tricks" for the Grand National]
Velvet Brown: Don't, Mi! No matter what you say or do everyone else out there will know more than me. It's no use, Mi.
Mi Taylor: Do think a race like this is won by luck?
Velvet Brown: No, by knowing the Pi can win and telling him so!
Edwina Brown: I'm so angry I could shake you!
Malvolia "Mally" Brown: I only wanted to explain about the polish...
Edwina Brown: ...so you told Miss Sims I was meeting a *boy*! It's a wonder you didn't tell her who and where!
Malvolia "Mally" Brown: I didn't know where!
Mr. Herbert Brown: It's one thing to out-think a man, quite another to outsmart him.
Mrs. Brown: And who will say which is which?
See More Quotes from National Velvet
National Velvet Facts
Producer Pandro S. Berman originally did not think that Elizabeth Taylor was right for the role due to the young actress' lack of physical development. In addition to riding lessons, she began eating more and doing "chest enlargement exercises". By the time the casting decisions were made, nature had given young Miss Taylor the necessary inches.
Eighteen-year-old Gene Tierney had been set to portray Velvet Brown. When the film was delayed, Tierney signed a contract with Twentieth Century-Fox.
Susanna Foster turned down the role of Velvet Brown.
Carl and Eleanor Goldbogen appear as extras in the crowd scenes. Carl's brother was Avrom Goldbogen, professionally known as producer Michael Todd, who would become Elizabeth Taylor's third husband in 1957.
After production was completed, arrangements were made to allow Elizabeth Taylor to keep the horse.
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