National Velvet (film)
"National Velvet" is a classic film directed by Clarence Brown, released in 1944, that features a young Elizabeth Taylor in her breakout role as Velvet Brown, a determined twelve-year-old girl who aspires to enter her horse, Pie, in the prestigious Grand National Steeplechase. The film explores themes of gender roles and determination as Velvet disguises herself as a boy to compete in the race, supported by Mickey Rooney's character, a young trainer. The cast also includes notable actors like Donald Crisp and Angela Lansbury, while Anne Revere won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Velvet's mother. "National Velvet" received several Oscar nominations, including Best Director and Best Cinematography. The film's release coincided with a shifting societal landscape, reflecting women's evolving roles during wartime. Its popularity led to a television series in the early 1960s and a sequel titled "International Velvet" in 1978, featuring Tatum O'Neal and Anthony Hopkins. Overall, "National Velvet" remains a significant work in film history, particularly for its portrayal of ambition and the challenges faced by women in competitive fields.
National Velvet (film)
Identification Hollywood film adaption of the Enid Bagnold book of the same title
Director Clarence Brown (1890-1987)
Date Premiered on December 14, 1944
This film became an almost instant classic upon release, and it is arguably the best-known and most highly acclaimed horse-racing story in film history.
National Velvet, directed by Clarence Brown, made a star of twelve-year-old Elizabeth Taylor in the role of Velvet Brown, a girl determined to enter her horse, Pie, in the Grand National Steeplechase. Mickey Rooney, Taylor’s costar, portrays a young trainer who helps Velvet prepare her horse for the big race. Velvet, who would never have been allowed to enter the race because of her gender, rides Pie in the tournament after she cuts her hair to pass as a male jockey. Donald Crisp and Angela Lansbury also appear in the film as members of the Brown family. Anne Revere won an Oscar for best supporting actress, as Velvet’s mother, as did Robert J. Kern, for best film editing. National Velvet was also nominated for Oscars in several other categories, including best director, best cinematography, and best art direction.
Impact
National Velvet launched the film and television career of Taylor and several other entertainment professionals. The film subtly addressed issues related to societal limitations of gender at a time when women were taking on new roles as a result of wartime necessity. The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) went on to air a moderately successful television series inspired by the film during the early 1960’s, which featured members of the fictional Brown family and a horse named King. Tatum O’Neal and Anthony Hopkins starred in the film sequel of National Velvet, titled International Velvet (1978).
Bibliography
Bagnold, Enid. Enid Bagnold’s Autobiography. Boston: Little Brown, 1969.
Marill, Alvin H. Mickey Rooney: His Films, Television Appearances, Radio Work, Stage Shows, and Recordings. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland, 2005.
Walker, Alexander. Elizabeth: The Life of Elizabeth Taylor. New York: G. Weidenfeld, 1991.