Trama

Tex, an orphan with dreams of ranching, joins WWII. After facing hardship, he finds renewed purpose through his horse Bess. Her remarkable abilities inspire soldiers in Japan. Based on the life of Gallant Bess.

An orphaned young man, Tex, has loved and trained his loyal horse, keeping alive his father's dream of starting a ranch. He decides to put his life on hold to serve the United States during World War 2. Tragedy strikes, but Tex comes back to life with the help of his horse, Bess, whose amazing tricks and service become an inspiration to the brave men risking their lives in Japan. The MGM film is loosely based on a true story, and the mare in the film is played by the real-life Gallant Bess.—rerousseau

A young orphan farm boy has dreams of building a ranch with his horse Bess. But it's WWII, and he joins the navy and has to leave Bess behind. While on patrol in the jungle, he finds a wounded horse to nurse back to health and to love. And in return, this new Bess not only becomes the unit mascot, but also saves the life of her master.—Kathy Li

MGM's first feature film in Cinecolor is also their only film in which a horse played a dual role. The original story and screenplay by Jeanne Bartlett - based on an "incident told by Lt. Marvin Park, USNR" features an all-male cast, aside from the horse that played Bess - begins with a young boy whose father has left him a thoroughbred mare and an ambition to establish a stock farm. The boy is inducted into the Navy Seabees and is prevented from rushing to the side of his beloved Bess when she dies of pneumonia, and he is left with an antagonistic attitude. Later, on a remote island in the Pacific under Japanese bombardment, he saves a stricken horse he finds in the jungle and it becomes a beloved mascot of the CB company, and returns the favor by saving the boy's life.—Les Adams <longhorn1939@suddenlink.net>