Based on Enid Bagnold’s 1935 popular novel, National Velvet, one of the most likeable animal-child tales, was the first starring role of Elizabeth Taylor, then age 12.
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Theatrical release poster
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Taylor and her mother worked hard to convince producer Pandro Berman that she was right for the part of Velvet Brown.
Taylor claimed that it was noy only her favorite book, but that she also possessed the right English accent and horseback-riding called by the part.
When Berman determined that Taylor was too short and too slight, the young actress showed her determination and put on some extra weight; in three months, her height has changed as well.
For years, Taylor claimed that National Velvet was her most exciting film, due to the touching story and strong character she played.
Set in Sussex, England, the story revolves around Velvet Brown, the daughter of a butcher, who teams with a vagabond teenager named Mi Taylor (Mickey Rooney) to train for competition a horse that she has won in a raffle.
Despite difficulties, Velvet enters “The Pie” in the Grand National, in which she is forced to disguise herself as a boy. Though the horse wins, Velvet is disqualified, but she is happy that “The Pie” is declared champion.
The tale’s early chapters belong to Mickey Rooney, cast in the showier role of Mike Taylor, a headstrong English ex-jockey. Soured on life by a serious accident, Mike plans to steal from the country family that has taken him in, but his resolve is weakened by the kindness of Velvet.
The two kids establish a bond based on their love of horses. Though Mike is unable to ride the horse, he aids Velvet in her plan to disguise herself as a jockey.
Co-starring as Velvet’s mother is the good character actress, Anne Revere, who won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance as a woman who was once a champion swimmer and now wants her daughter to have the same chance to prove herself, even if it calls for tight competition in a male-dominated world.
Under the skillful direction of Clarence Brown, the entire cast rose to the occasion, including Donald Crisp as Velvet’s father and Angela Lansbury as her older sister.
In order to get the coveted part, as one of the screen’s most lovable characters, Taylor had to sign a long-term contract at MGM, where she would remain for the next 18 crucial years of her career.
Upon release, many critics declared Taylor as a major discovery. As a reward for her captivating performance, which showed her beauty, charm, and acting skills, MGM gave Taylor as a gift the horse that was used in the film.
Extremely popular when initially shown, National Velvet went in to become a children’s classic, shown over and over again.
End Note
In 1946, Enid Bagnold’s novel was done as a stage play in London, featuring Tilsa Page as Velvet. Comparisons were inevitable and most reviewers singled out Elizabeth Taylor’s interpretation as the stronger one.
Oscar Nominations: 5
Director: Clarence Brown
Supporting Actress: Anne Revere
Film Editing: Robert J. Kern
Cinematography (Color): Leonard Smith
Interior Decoration (Color): Cedric Gibbons and Urie McCleary, art direction; Edwin B. Willis and Mildred Griffiths, set decoration.
Oscar Awards: 2
Supporting Actress
Film Editing
Oscar Context:
Billy Wilder won the Directing Oscar for “The Lost Weekend.”
Leon Shamroy received the Color Cinematography for “Leave Her to Heaven.”
The Art Direction Award went to “Frenchman’s Creek.”
Cast
Mickey Rooney as Michael “Mi” Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor as Velvet Brown
Donald Crisp as Mr. Herbert Brown
Angela Lansbury as Edwina Brown
Anne Revere as Mrs Araminty Brown
Jackie ‘Butch’ Jenkins as Donald Brown
Juanita Quigley as Malvolia “Mally” Brown
Arthur Treacher as Race Patron
Reginald Owen as Farmer Ede
Norma Varden as Miss Sims
Terry Kilburn as Theodore “Ted”
Arthur Shields as Mr. Hallam
Aubrey Mather as Entry official
Alec Craig as Timothy “Tim”
Eugene Loring as Ivan Taski
Jane Isbell as Schoolgirl Jane
Matthew Boulton as Entry official
King Charles as the horse, The Pie [4]
Gordon Richards as Doctor
Barry Macollum as a townsman (uncredited)
Gerald Oliver Smith as a cameraman (uncredited)
Harry Allen as van driver (uncredited)
Mona Freeman as schoolgirl (uncredited)
Credits:
Directed by Clarence Brown
Screenplay by Helen Deutsch, based on National Velvet 1935 novel by Enid Bagnold
Produced by Pandro S. Berman
Cinematography Leonard Smith
Edited by Robert Kern
Music by Herbert Stothart
Production company:mMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Distributed by Loew’s, Inc
Release dates: December 14, 1944 (NYC); January 26, 1945 (US)
Running time: 123 minutes
Budget $2,770,000
Box office $5,840,000
DVD: Jul 11, 2000
