Home in Indiana | |
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Directed by | Henry Hathaway |
Produced by | André Daven |
Screenplay by | Winston Miller |
Based on |
The Phantom Filly 1941 novel by George Agnew Chamberlain |
Starring |
Walter Brennan Charlotte Greenwood Ward Bond |
Narrated by | Reed Hadley |
Music by | Hugo Friedhofer |
Cinematography | Edward Cronjager |
Edited by | Harmon Jones |
Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
Release date
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Running time
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103 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Box office | $1.75 million |
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. The film was remade in 1957 as April Love.
The movie was nominated for an Oscar in the category Best Cinematography, Color.
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 of a stallion impresses Godaw's seductive daughter, Cri-Cri (June Haver). She convinces Jed Bruce (Ward Bond) 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.