Subtitles:

• None

Extras:

Formed as a union of half a dozen poverty-row film studios, Republic Pictures in its early years didn't carry much prestige itself. That changed in the late 1940s, when the studio made a concerted effort to propel itself to more respectable ranks by producing "serious" dramas with renowned filmmakers - such as Orson Welles' Macbeth (1948), Frank Borzage's Moonrise (1948), and Lewis Milestone's The Red Pony (1949). The latter title may not be as well remembered as the others, but in fact The Red Pony was the most expensive picture to date for Republic, as well as its longest-to-shoot (81 days).

Even with Lewis Milestone producing and directing, and Robert Mitchum and Myrna Loy starring, the most prestigious names involved here were John Steinbeck and Aaron Copland, both of whom worked on very few movies in their careers. To see both their names on the same picture was even more unusual; it only happened once before, on Of Mice and Men (1939), though that film was merely based on Steinbeck's novel and did not employ him as screenwriter.

One of the most acclaimed films to emerge from Republic studios, The Red Pony is an adaptation of the John Steinbeck story of the same name. Top billing goes to Myrna Loy and Robert Mitchum, but the film's true star is young Peter Miles as Tom. A lonely farm boy, Tom seeks refuge from his troublesome home life and his eternally squabbling parents (Loy and Shepperd Strudwick) through his devotion to a newborn colt. The red pony is the issue of a prize mare owned by ranchhand Billy Buck (Mitchum), whom Tom idolizes. The film's coming-of-age theme cluminates in a poignant denouement. Louis Calhern plays Tom's lovably prevaricating grandfather, while 10-year-old Beau Bridges essays one of his first featured roles. Aaron Copland's score and the rich Technicolor photography of Tony Gaudio contribute to the film's overall mood. The Red Pony was remade for television in 1973.

Gary Tooze

April 18th, 2013