''Home in Indiana'' is a 1944 Technicolor film directed by Henry Hathaway. The film, that stars Walter Brennan, Lon McCallister, Jeanne Crain, June Haver and Charlotte Greenwood, is based on the novel ''The Phantom Filly'' by George Agnew Chamberlain (1879–1966). The film was remade in 1957 as '' April Love''. The movie was nominated for an Oscar in the category Best Cinematography, Color.

Plot

Having just been sent away to live with his uncle and aunt in Indiana, teenager Sparke Thornton ( Lon McCallister) has a penchant for trouble. At first, he is not satisfied with the arrangement, and continues to express his rebellious behavior. Already on his first day, he plans on running away, but crossing a harness racing track convinces him to stay in Indiana. The owner, Godaw Boole ( Charles Dingle) welcomes Sparke, and introduces him to Char Bruce ( Jeanne Crain), a tomboyish girl who loves to race horses. A servant (George Reed) informs him that his uncle Thunder Bolt ( Walter Brennan) was once part of harness horse racing as a respected sulky driver. Returning home, Sparke informs his family about his love for horses, but Thunder orders him to put his focus on school instead. The next day, he ignores his uncle's demands and visits the racing track, where his instinctive rapport with a stallion impresses Godaw's seductive daughter, Cri-Cri ( June Haver) who is home from private boarding school. She convinces Jed Bruce (

Ward Bond Wardell Edwin Bond (April 9, 1903 – November 5, 1960) was an American film character actor who appeared in more than 200 films and starred in the NBC television series ''Wagon Train'' from 1957 to 1960. Among his best-remembered roles are Ber ...

) to help Sparke learn how to drive. Even though he performs poorly during his first trainings, Sparke is allowed to come back due to his humility. While bonding with Char and Cri-Cri, he learns how to successfully guide a harness horse. One night, Thunder becomes drunk and reacts violently towards Sparke. Due to his confusion, Thunder's wife Penny ( Charlotte Greenwood) explains that Thunder was once partners with Boole, until Boole's harsh treatment of a mare led to a quarrel. Thunder has retired from horseback riding ever since, but still feels an urge to return. Moved by the story, Sparke becomes desperate to help out his uncle, and 'borrows' Boole's stallion to sire a foal out of Thunder's only remaining mare, and raises the money for the stud fee so that Boole will sign the registration so the foal can race. Thunder is initially furious at Sparke for interfering, but he is grateful for the outcome. Meanwhile, Sparke's growing infatuation with Cri-Cri causes him to shift away from the track regularly. Cri-Cri feels that he is too young to take seriously, though, and she prefers the attention of Gordon Bradley (Robert Condon). Sparke is not aware that Char is madly in love with him, and instead considers her as 'one of the guys'. Meanwhile, he continues to train the horse's foal, who, during her first race, is seriously injured. Shortly after her recovery, Sparke realizes how Char feels about him and responds to her love. Thunder has since found out that the foal is going blind, but nevertheless allows Sparke to race her. Through determination and skills, he wins the race. Returning home with the horse, who has convinced Thunder to return to his business, Sparke kisses Char.

Cast

* Walter Brennan as J. F. 'Thunder' Bolt * Charlotte Greenwood as Penny Bolt *

as Jed Bruce * Charles Dingle as Godaw Boole * Lon McCallister as 'Sparke' Thornton * Jeanne Crain as Charlotte 'Char' Bruce * June Haver as Christopher 'Cri-Cri' Boole *

George H. Reed George H. Reed was an American actor working in the Hollywood film industry in both the silent and sound eras. His first major film was the 1920 ''Huckleberry Finn'' where he played Jim. He is also remembered for the film ''The Green Pastures'' ...

as Tuppy

Production

In November 1940,

20th Century Fox 20th Century Studios, Inc. (previously known as 20th Century Fox) is an American film production company headquartered at the Fox Studio Lot in the Century City area of Los Angeles. As of 2019, it serves as a film production arm of Walt Dis ...

first announced its plans to shoot a film about trotting tracks, called ''Home in Indiana''. The film would serve as a follow-up for the horse tracking films '' Kentucky'' (1938) and '' Maryland'' (1940). As with the latter film, John Payne, Walter Brennan and

Fay Bainter Fay Okell Bainter (December 7, 1893 – April 16, 1968) was an American film and stage actress. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for ''Jezebel'' (1938) and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Early life Bainter wa ...

were set to serve the lead roles, with

Kenneth Macgowan Kenneth Macgowan (November 30, 1888 – April 27, 1963) was an American film producer. He won an Academy Award for Best Color Short Film for ''La Cucaracha'' (1934), the first live-action short film made in the three-color Technicolor process. Bi ...

as a producer and

John Taintor Foote John Taintor Foote (March 29, 1881 – January 28, 1950) was an American novelist, playwright, short-story writer, and screenwriter. Foote studied at Kenyon Military Academy, Gambier, Ohio. He began as a writer of sporting stories. His first ...

as the screenwriter. Ultimately, Foote did work on a screenplay, but his work was not included in the final print. In March 1942, agent

Charles K. Feldman Charles K. Feldman (April 26, 1905 – May 25, 1968) was a Hollywood attorney, film producer and talent agent who founded the Famous Artists talent agency. According to one obituary, Feldman disdained publicity. "Feldman was an enigma to Holly ...

planned on making a film adaptation of the Chamberlain novel, with

Howard Hawks Howard Winchester Hawks (May 30, 1896December 26, 1977) was an American film director, producer and screenwriter of the classic Hollywood era. Critic Leonard Maltin called him "the greatest American director who is not a household name." A v ...

as a proposed producer. Winston Miller worked on a screenplay, but he decided to sell its rights to 20th Century Fox. Actor George Cleveland was offered a role, but commitments to another project forced him to resign. The film marked the highly promoted debuts of both Jeanne Crain and June Haver. McCallister's contribution to the film delivered him a four-year contract with Fox. Scenes were partly filmed on the trotting tracks of Indiana, Marion, Ohio Marion County Fairgrounds and Kentucky.

References

External links

* * * * {{Henry Hathaway 1944 films 1940s adventure drama films 1944 romantic drama films 20th Century Fox films American adventure drama films American romantic drama films 1940s English-language films Films based on American novels Films based on romance novels Films directed by Henry Hathaway Films scored by Hugo Friedhofer Films set in Indiana Films shot in Kentucky Films shot in Ohio American horse racing films 1940s American films

Plot

Cast

Production

See also

References

External links