GREEN GRASS OF WYOMING

US, 1948, 88 minutes, Colour.
Peggy Cummins, Charles Coburn, Robert Arthur, Lloyd Nolan.
Directed by Louis King.

Green Grass of Wyoming is the third film of Mary O'Hara's books. It follows from My Friend Flicka and Thunderhead, Son of Flicka. Footage from the latter film is in the credits sequence. There is a change of cast from the earlier films. Lloyd Nolan replaces Preston Foster as Ken's father. Ken is played now by Robert Arthur. The heroine of the film is played by English actress Peggy Cummins. There is the genial presence of Charles Coburn.

The scenery is spectacular and beautiful, the sequences of the horses quite exciting - both in the wild and on the trotting track. There is the atmosphere of the racing film and its competitiveness. The film is directed by Louis King, who directed Thunderhead, Son of Flicka.

1. An enjoyable film about horses and racing? In itself? As a sequel? Mary O'Hara's books and their popularity?

2. The beauty of the Wyoming plains and mountains? The homesteads? The contrast with the racing tracks and the atmosphere of the races? Musical score?

3. Horse lovers enjoying the film? Thunderhead as the wild stallion, his taking the mares?, The homesteads and the running of the horses? The training of the trotters? The races?

4. Ken and his deal in Los Angeles, bringing jewel home, training her, Thunderhead taking her, the race, her doing well, her being pregnant? His care for Flicka and Thunderhead? His control of Jewel and Thunderhead as he recovered them? His wanting to be a partner with his father? His attraction towards Kerry, working with her, going to the dance and enjoying it, training Jewel, riding the race, the happy ending?

5. Kerry and her grandfather, his drinking, bitterness against Thunderhead, delaying training his horse, sending Ken away from the dance, his training, his horse, winning? The reconciliation with Kerry and with Ken?

6. Ken's parents, running their homestead, knowledge of horses, his mother's support, his father's exasperation, allowing him to go to the dance and giving him money, the quest for Jewel and Thunderhead, allowing his son to train, going to the races?

7. Burl Ives as Gus - the training of the horses? Leading the dances? His singing?

8. A genial piece of Americana - American traditions, hopes, wholesome values? An enjoyable film of the '40s?