One of the most enduring products from the Magic Kingdom is So Dear To My Heart still retains its charm after 62 years. It's a very simple story about a young lad trying to earn enough money to get to the Pike County Fair at the turn of the last century. Young Bobby Driscoll aided and abetted by Luana Patten wants to get his lamb Danny to the County Fair and get awarded the first prize.
Young Danny came by his name because of a passing visit to their town of the Great Dan Patch legendary trotting horse champion from back in those days. He is literally the black sheep of the family with a fine coat of black wool. He also has no pedigree to speak of and that's important in these county fair events. Still Driscoll is full of hope.
He also has to convince is grandmother/guardian Beulah Bondi, a kindly and pious woman who's not really into wasting money on frivolities. For that the kids rely on Burl Ives, village blacksmith with a continual song for all occasions.
This film marked the farewell performance of Harry Carey who has a small role as the judge at the County Fair. So Dear To My Heart features a nice musical score by Elliot Daniel and Hy Morey which includes the Oscar nominated Lavendar Blue which Burl Ives delivers in a straightforward style. The song lost however to Baby It's Cold Outside from Neptune's Daughter.
The ensemble cast is great, especially the kids. Hard to believe what eventually happened with Bobby Driscoll, he looks so innocent here. Still that's the power of film, to freeze time and images that were more favorable.
After 62 years a great family film.
Young Danny came by his name because of a passing visit to their town of the Great Dan Patch legendary trotting horse champion from back in those days. He is literally the black sheep of the family with a fine coat of black wool. He also has no pedigree to speak of and that's important in these county fair events. Still Driscoll is full of hope.
He also has to convince is grandmother/guardian Beulah Bondi, a kindly and pious woman who's not really into wasting money on frivolities. For that the kids rely on Burl Ives, village blacksmith with a continual song for all occasions.
This film marked the farewell performance of Harry Carey who has a small role as the judge at the County Fair. So Dear To My Heart features a nice musical score by Elliot Daniel and Hy Morey which includes the Oscar nominated Lavendar Blue which Burl Ives delivers in a straightforward style. The song lost however to Baby It's Cold Outside from Neptune's Daughter.
The ensemble cast is great, especially the kids. Hard to believe what eventually happened with Bobby Driscoll, he looks so innocent here. Still that's the power of film, to freeze time and images that were more favorable.
After 62 years a great family film.