Thoroughbreds Don't Cry
Thoroughbreds Don't Cry

Movie spotlight

Thoroughbreds Don't Cry

1937
Movie
80 min
English

Cricket West is a hopeful actress with a plan and a pair of vocal chords that bring down the house. Along with her eccentric aunt, she plays host to the local jockeys, whose leader is the cocky but highly skilled Timmie Donovan. A young English gentleman comes to town convincing Donovan to ride his horse in a high stakes race.

Insights

IMDb6.2/10
Director: Alfred E. GreenGenres: Drama, Family, Sport

Plot Summary

In the rural American South during the Great Depression, a young English boy, orphaned and sent to live with his uncle, finds solace and friendship with a local stable boy. Together, they share a passion for horses and dream of winning the local steeplechase. Their bond is tested by class differences and the struggles of the era, but their shared ambition and the arrival of a talented young singer help them navigate their challenges.

Critical Reception

Upon its release, 'Thoroughbreds Don't Cry' was seen as a charming and entertaining film, capitalizing on the burgeoning popularity of its young stars, particularly Judy Garland. While not a critical masterpiece, it was praised for its heartwarming story, musical numbers, and the chemistry between Rooney and Garland. It served as an early showcase for Garland's talents and a pleasant, family-friendly diversion during a difficult economic period.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for the early performances of Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney, showcasing their developing star power.

  • Appreciated as a sentimental and wholesome family film with a focus on horses and friendship.

  • Noted for its musical numbers and its depiction of rural life during the Depression.

Google audience: Audience reception for 'Thoroughbreds Don't Cry' is largely based on nostalgia for its stars. Many appreciate it as a classic early film for Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney, highlighting its simple, feel-good narrative and charming performances. It's often remembered fondly as a lighthearted entertainment from its era.

Fun Fact

This film marked the first on-screen pairing of Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney, a duo who would go on to star in several other successful films together for MGM.

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TMDB Reviews

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CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Ronald Sinclair "Roger" and his aristocratic - but poor - grandfather "Sir Peter" (C. Aubrey Smith) travel to the United states with their horse "The Pookah" hoping to race it and reverse their declining fortunes. They decide to enlist the ...