Glory

Obviously, this a 'feel good' film, but that is typical of the 50's when everyone was good, honest and Ike was president.

Margaret O'Brien and Walter Brennan carry this film. I thought Margaret was just as good an actress as in her childhood roles. She is just as pretty as Natalie Wood and I have never figured out why she wasn't cast in more adult roles. Was she adverse to playing femme fa tales? Did she lack the figure of a Janet Leigh or Elizabeth Taylor (note: O'Brien had small breasts and large thighs, calves). Was she flat in acting roles that required an adult theme? Or, was she just sick of acting? The film is not of the quality of 'National Velvet' but pretty good family fare. Personally, I think Margaret O'Brien would have been a superstar had she been born twenty years later.

I thought Margaret was 13 in 'Little Women' made in 1948 and released in 1949, but, if she was 19 in 1956 she would have been 11 in 'Little Women.' Many lay critics have told me she was 13 in 'Little Women,' Janet Leigh was 17, Elizabeth Taylor was 16 and June Alyson was 34.

Margaret O'Brien was very attractive in 'Glory,' and I would rank her with Natalie Wood and Janet Leigh in looks and acting ability. Taylor? NOT! Someone, please tell me why Margaret O'Brien didn't have an adult career at the level of the others mentioned in my review

Neat little film of coming of age Margaret O'Brien owning and training racehorse. The production values are nice,there's a nice bunch of character actors. Maggie looks sweet in fifties-era dresses. It's not Medea but it's a fun enough racetrack drama with some music put in. A commenter mentioned Maggie's singing, she was dubbed by the Champagne Lady herself,Norma Zimmer. Charlotte Greenwood and Walter Brennan are great as always. For some reason RKO in the fifties had the nicest color photography and it's on display here. Definitely an enjoyable movie to watch. The only complaint some viewers might have is that this film seems more like a forties film rather than a fifties. Hollywood was still trying to recycle old formulas in its attempt to keep its' head above water. Unfortunately,this film didn't lead to a grown-up career for Margaret o'Brien as it should have.

We were all pulling for Maggie O'Brien back then. She had been a child star in the early 40s and we all fell in love with her. So, when he was a teen ager and made this film at 17, we wanted her to make it. Alas, it wasn't in the cards. Even the great character actors Walter Brennan, Charlotte Greenwood and Sasha Kinsky couldn't add to a racehorse story that stirred about as much excitement as watching a dog scratch fleas. She played the guitar, looked cute and tried to be charming but that's a far as it went.

Her age mate, Jane Fonda, was waiting in the wings and would take off. Both Margret O'Brien and Jane Fonda were born the same year but Jane had the talent and Maggie couldn't market hers.

Such are the blessings of the muses. If this film rolls around sometime on the late show-- there's no video or DVD at this writing-- give it a look-see. Maggie was cute and talented. It's worth seeing.

I sat through Glory was because Hot Toasty Rag was honoring Margaret O'Brien as Star of the Week, and this was the only movie I could get my hands on to see her acting talents as a young woman. The one nice thing I'll say about this movie is that there's nothing wrong with Margaret, and I would have loved to see more of her adult acting. Now for the not-too-nice stuff:

Nineteen-year-old Margaret plays a tomboy who lives and breathes horses. Her grandmother, Charlotte Greenwood, does nothing besides reprise her role as Aunt Eller in Oklahoma! and engage in irritating screaming contests with Walter Brennan. I can only imagine how tired Walter was of playing the grumpy, old hick, so why didn't he turn this movie down? Since Charlotte Greenwood had already been in Oklahoma!, why didn't she turn this movie down? If everyone involved protested and refused to make this movie, there would be no movie to criticize, and no one's feelings would be hurt from reading such terrible criticism. As it stands, people did show up to work, Glory did get made, and everyone who's ever seen it has panned it.

Just a fun film-Especially for people who love the Horse Racing Game and it's history. A lot of good one liners and humor from Walter badgering with the other old timer (lady). I would love to own this movie. A lot of history will be lost if this film is not made available to the general public. Where is The Classic Movie Channel when you need them? A lot was accomplished in this tight budget movie. The film footage of the actual Kentucky Derby for the year is enough in itself to justify releasing it on video. People love these types of movies, Look at Dreamer, and of course the very well Done Seabiscuit. What a nice addition it would be for the JOckey Club or other Race related industry.