Home in Indiana (1944)

This movie just makes you feel good. And not in any sappy way, but in the freshness of the setting and the characters, the coming-of-age bits that aren't forced, and the way Walter Brennan's character is brought back to life as he re-engages in the thing he loves, horse racing. And the way his wife delights in the transformation. It's a small miracle, brought on by the unexpected: a boy who's a relative is sent to live with the farm couple after he's gotten into trouble back home. At first he's resented but he becomes the catalyst for Brennan's redemption - and finds his own redemption, as well. A couple of girls (Played by Jeanne Crain and June Haver, both future Fox stars) are in the mix as well, and if you like trotting horses, and racing, you will enjoy this lovely slice of life, with outdoors prominently featured. It should refresh and invigorate you.

I am old enough to have seen this movie first run. At the time I was blown away by this film because it had every thing in it any city kid would want to be able to do, which mostly was race horses and have a pretty girl interested in the same thing as a friend. Since this film was so important to me I feel compelled to correct an error in the cast listing by IMDb. Currently Jeanne Crain's character is listed as Char Bruce which is correct, but June Haver's character is listed as Cri-Cri Bruce which would make them sisters which they are not! Cri-Cri is the daughter of Godaw Boole, the owner of the horse farm where Char's father is the head trainer, soooooo Cri-Cri's last name should be Boole, not Bruce! I have no idea how this casting error crept into IMDb's data base, but as a movie fan interested in accuracy I'm requesting that IMDb correct this mistake. I know I am right in this because I've seen this film at least 20 times over the years and have read the book that the film is based on (The Phantom Filly).

For those who like horses and horse racing, "Home in Indiana" offers a pleasant diversion.Focusing on three in the cast, this was Jeanne Crain's first notable role, and what a "natural" she is. Completely at home before the camera, she shows early on her quintessential "girl-next-door" charm.Paired with the equally "boy-next-door" Lon Mcallister, the two are perfect together. Lon came with a full list of juvenile film roles, and looked like the personification of a callow Indiana farm boy.As for the amazing Walter Brennan, this was just another of his inexhaustible number of roles, always appearing much older than he actually was.A further look at Brennen's folio, he made a whopping 63 films in three years (1933-35)! Can you imagine that? I can't.The three together, along with Charlotte Greenwood as the proverbial "farm marm," offer a most convincing group of typical ranchers, struggling between corn crop mores and big city conventions--the latter represented by June Haver.And those mares--absolutely beautiful!

Your reaction to HOME IN INDIANA will depend entirely on whether you are a horse racing fan or at least a fan of films about horse racing. Since I am neither, I found this movie pretty dull going except for the acting and human interaction.Walter Brennan and Charlotte Greenwood are very good in the early part of the film and are convincing as the tough, unsentimental guardians of Sparke, played by Lon McAllister. Jeanne Crain is fresh and likable and was clearly a face, body and personality to watch, though she looked much prettier and sexier a year later in STATE FAIR. June Haver presents us with her doll-like perfection and seems as bright, chilly and inhuman as ever (she later became Mrs. Fred MacMurray after a stay in a convent).The real find here was Lon McAllister. Poised and completely charming, he had an easy way with dialogue, an expressive face and an ingratiating smile. This should have been the beginning of big things for him, but it wasn't. Too bad the perky, Mickey Rooney boy-next-door types were going out of fashion (Rooney himself never regained the stardom he enjoyed before he went into the military during WWII.) McAllister ought to have succeeded in television, but perhaps he tired of show business. Wonder what happened to him after this?