The Sad Horse
The Sad Horse is a 1959 American drama film directed by James B. Clark, written by Charles Hoffman, and starring David Ladd, Chill Wills, Rex Reason, Patrice Wymore, Gregg Palmer and Eve Brent.[2][3]
The Sad Horse | |
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Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | James B. Clark |
Produced by | Richard E. Lyons |
Screenplay by | Charles Hoffman |
Story by | Zoë Akins |
Starring | David Ladd Chill Wills Rex Reason Patrice Wymore Gregg Palmer Eve Brent |
Music by | Paul Sawtell Bert Shefter |
Cinematography | Karl Struss |
Edited by | Richard C. Meyer |
Production company | Associated Producers Incorporated |
Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
Release date |
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Running time | 77 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $250,000[1] |
It was released in March 1959, by 20th Century Fox.[4][5][6]
It was one of the first films from API.[7]
Plot
Polio-stricken 10-year-old boy Jackie Connors stays at his grandfather Captain Connors' horse farm while his dad Bart goes away on a honeymoon with Sheila, his new wife. Jackie and his dog Hansel become acquainted with a woman named Leslie MacDonald and her thoroughbred North Wind, who hasn't seemed the same since the death of a dog that had been the horse's steady companion.
The unhappy Leslie is seeking a divorce from husband Bill and sees the child's Hansel as a replacement for the horse's dog. Jackie resists, she bribes Captain Connors with a $5,000 trust fund for the boy. Jackie and the dog head off to the hills, looking for a rumored buried treasure that could keep his granddad from needing the woman's money. A mountain lion menaces the boy, who is saved in the nick of time.
Leslie and Bill reconcile. The child's dad returns and persuades Jackie that giving up the dog would be a grand gesture, and he agrees.
Cast
- David Ladd as Jackie Connors
- Chill Wills as Capt Connors
- Rex Reason as Bill MacDonald
- Patrice Wymore as Leslie MacDonald
- Gregg Palmer as Bart Connors
- Eve Brent as Sheila
- Leslie Bradley as Jonas
- William Yip as Ben
- Dave DePaul as Sam
Reception
The film was made by Robert L. Lippert whose Regal outfits made films for Fox for an average of $100,000. However, with competition from television Lippert persuaded Fox to start financing up for $300,000 per film, starting with The Sad Horse. He later claimed the return on the film "was comparable to a $1 million picture".[1]
References
- Scheuer, P. K. (Oct 26, 1959). "Lippert hails era of $300,000 hits". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 167507684.
- Hopper, H. (Dec 1, 1958). "Henry levin back from european trip". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 167400155.
- "SAD HORSE, the". Monthly Film Bulletin. 26. 1959. p. 125. ProQuest 1305822709.
- "The Sad Horse (1959) – Overview". TCM.com. 2013-09-16. Retrieved 2015-09-22.
- "The-Sad-Horse – Trailer – Cast – Showtimes". New York Times. Retrieved 2015-09-22.
- "The Sad Horse". Afi.com. Retrieved 2015-09-22.
- "FILMLAND EVENTS". Los Angeles Times. Dec 31, 1958. ProQuest 167377258.