National Velvet (1944)

Clarence Brown directed National Velvet, a 1944 American Technicolor sports film based on Enid Bagnold's 1935 novel of the same name. The Library of Congress chose National Velvet for preservation in the United States National Film Registry in 2003, noting it as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

Taylor's long career began when she was still a kid in the early 1940s, and her first leading part was with this sweet-natured family favorite when she was just 12-years-old. In the film "National Velvet," she plays a young English girl who teams up with an ex-jockey (Mickey Rooney) to train an "unbreakable" horse for the Grand National Sweepstakes. Even though it is aimed at children, the film has enough grit and drama to hold the attention of their parents as well.

Detailed Information:
Directed by: Clarence Brown
Starring: Mickey Rooney, Donald Crisp, Elizabeth Taylor, Anne Revere
Release dates: December 14, 1944 (New York City)/January 26, 1945 (United States)
Running time: 123 minutes