Best movie of this year hands down!

best movie i've ever seen.

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

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.

My take on this movie. 1944 had another horse movie, being National Velvet. We were in the middle of World War II, and I suppose this was another Americana type movie to take people's mind off the big conflict. Jeanne Crain would be seen the next year in another agri-country movie, State Fair. June Haver I had seen in Look for the Silver Lining, being a charming person and not the imp as in this movie. Walter Brennan I enjoyed seeing as a main character, not anyone's sidekick. Tuppy and Mo were just superb. Charlotte Greenwood I would see in Oklahoma, dancing at the train station, and also doing her famous high kicks in a 1930s movie with Eddie Cantor. I enjoyed seeing Ward Bond in a non-Western movie. He was a nice, decent man, as the trainer and also as father of Jeanne Crain. The race track looked like Washington County Fairgrounds, Ohio (a little). I wonder why the actor who played Sparke was not in the military service? I notice he had no mother, and neither did the two girls. Hope he ended up finishing his education. Nothing like an uneducated boob who thinks he knows everything. Maybe he later really got that second belting from his uncle. I'm sure that Cri Cri tried some more of her man-handling on him later, but the movie ended. This was an enjoyable piece of Americana. It was during WWII wartime, and I saw nothing about wartime shortages, gasoline and food rationing, Rosie-riveters working in the factories, but hey, this is a fantasy meant for people to feel good. 10/10

..."When I think about the Moonlight on the Wabash, I'll think about my Indiana home." Remember Jane Froman singing that beautiful song? Well, you can just forget about the tune in this 1944 film. That being said, the musical score playing this song is about the best thing this dud of a film has to offer.Lon McAllister plays the troubled youth who comes to live with his Uncle and Aunt Bolt, played by Walter Brennan and Charlotte Greenwood. Greenwood has one very effective scene in the film when she describes to her nephew why Uncle Bolt is the way he is. It's all about the usual gripe and grudge he has against his former partner, played by Charles Dingle. Remember him 3 years before as Bette Davis's suspicious brother in "The Little Foxes?" Dingle is reduced to having little to do here. The plot in the film is weak and the script is even weaker. Jeanne Crain, in her supposed first mature film, comes off as if she is ready to join Mickey and Judy to create a show in the barn.The film deals with horse racing, something which was close to Walter Brennan's heart when he starred in his supporting Oscar winning performance 6 years before in "Kentucky."The disappointing end with the horse matches the film-one big disappointment. See June Haver, Mrs. Fred MacMurray, as the girl with designs on McCallister as well.

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!