A boy persuades his parents to allow him to adopt a young deer, but what will happen if the deer misbehaves?A boy persuades his parents to allow him to adopt a young deer, but what will happen if the deer misbehaves?A boy persuades his parents to allow him to adopt a young deer, but what will happen if the deer misbehaves?
- Won 2 Oscars
- 3 wins & 5 nominations total
- Deckhand
- (uncredited)
- Mrs. Saunders
- (uncredited)
- Arch Forrester
- (uncredited)
- Captain
- (uncredited)
- Twink Weatherby
- (uncredited)
- Pack Forrester
- (uncredited)
- Mate
- (uncredited)
- Mr. Ranger
- (uncredited)
- Eulalie Boyles
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaClarence Brown insisted that his actors wear no make-up to achieve a naturalistic look. Claude Jarman Jr. had to wear a straw hat in between takes so that his fair skin didn't burn, while the pale Jane Wyman had to sit under a sun lamp for 15 minutes to make it look like she spent most of her time outdoors.
- GoofsWhen Jody runs away from home, he is barefoot. While trudging through the swamp, however, he is shown wearing dark sneakers (perhaps for protection during filming). Later scenes show him to be barefoot again.
- Quotes
Penny Baxter: [on the occasion of the burial of Fodderwing] Oh Lord. Almighty God. It ain't for us ignorant mortals to say what's right and what's wrong. Was any one of us to be doin' of it, we'd not of bring this poor boy into the world a cripple, and his mind teched. We'd of bring him in straight and tall like his brothers, fitten to live and work and do. But in a way o' speakin', Lord, you done made it up to him. You give him a way with the wild creatures. You give him a sort of wisdom, made him knowin' and gentle. The birds come to him, and the varmints moved free about him, and like as not he could of takened a she wild-cat right in his pore twisted hands. Now you've done seed fit to take him where bein' crookedy in mind or limb don't matter. But Lord, it pleasures us to think now you've done straightened out them legs and that pore bent back and them hands. It pleasures us to think on him, movin' around as easy as any one. And Lord, give him a few red-birds and maybe a squirrel and a 'coon and a 'possum to keep him company, like he had here. All of us is somehow lonesome, and we know he'll not be lonesome, do he have them little wild things around him, if it ain't askin' too much to put a few varmints in Heaven. Thy will be done. Amen.
- Crazy creditsAll scenes involving animals in this picture were made under the supervision and with the cooperation of the American Humane Association
- Alternate versionsReissued theatrically in the 1950s in a 94-minute version. This reissue print was also shown occasionally on television in the 1960s.
- ConnectionsEdited into Hollywood: The Dream Factory (1972)
From the opening scenes of this beautifully photographed movie I found myself caught-up in the intriguing post Civil War story of a boy and his pet faun and their fantastic adventures on a scruffy Florida Everglades farm. The film stars Gregory Peck, Jane Wyman and Claude Jarman in the lead roles, with some of Hollywood's best character actors in the supporting roles.
Peck gives an Oscar caliber performance as the warmhearted father who does his best to make a better life for his family, with absolutely no help from the elements, which surround them. Jane Wyman brilliantly plays Orry, the hardened mother and wife who is so embittered by past tragedies in her life that she is unable to show any love for her one surviving child for fear of losing him as well. And Claude Jarman plays Jodie, the wistful young boy who is just one summer away from adolescence and all the emotional growing pains that come with it.
This story is laced with excitement and adventure sure to please the kids, but each of the adventures is also a great lesson in life that will stay with them for years to come. The cinematography is spectacular and received a well-deserved Academy Award and the wildlife scenes are incredible as well. Just watching Jodie romp through the woods with his faun is a joyous site to behold. The way Orry finally begins letting herself love her son will bring tears to your eyes. This movie was one of the most emotional experiences of my young life and I believe I am a better person from the lessons learned here.
I highly recommend this film, it is one to be experienced with your entire family.
- michael-248
- Nov 28, 2000
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $4,000,000 (estimated)
- Runtime2 hours 8 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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