The Great Dan Patch

Saw this movie for the second time on Archive.org (I previously saw it on a community channel from Manitoba; I live in Ontario but have access to Neepawa Access Television Network) while on a Christmas break. This week I've been binge watching movies about or centered around my favorite sports (horse racing and curling); seen Run for The Roses, Ready to Run and this title (and for curling, Gerri Curls and Men With Brooms).

This is overall a decent movie, though not without its flaws. I'm a factional owner of Standardbreds so a few things stuck out at me ;)

Dan Patch (April 29, 1896 - July 11, 1916) was indeed an excellent Standardbred *Pacing* champion (and not a trotter as he was referred to in the movie) who was so strong in open company that connections of other horses refused to race against him. There was. Again, creative licensing.

This movie is *loosely* based on the horse but mainly a fictional telling of the lives of his (movie fictional) connections. If you are looking for a more accurate picture about horse racing unfortunately this isn't it, but there are so few about Standardbreds and it's isn't terrible.

This movie is about 30% accurate, but manages to capture the essence and appeal of the big horse, Dan Patch. The horse was unbeaten in 11 years of racing on the track and, by all accounts, kind and gentle off the track. The level of the horses appeal can be measured by the fact that the day after the horse died, the owner, M. W. Savage, also died. I believe the two female leads turn, Gail Russell and Ruth Warwick turned in exceptional performances, with Ms. Warwick giving a performance of award-Winning caliber. Maybe Claire Trevor deserved the best supporting actress Oscar that year, but I think Ms. Warwick deserved at least a nomination. The rest of the cast gave workmanlike performances. Truth may be stranger than fiction, but, in this case, fiction can make a better movie than fact.

A good family film with a lovely performance from Gail Russell. It is a fine film for race fans. It will entertain the younger set also.

I got this movie in a package and thought that it did not look like anything that I would like. I'd never seen Dennis O'Keefe, who is quite watchable... He plays a pretty good role, as does Ruth Warwick as his highly unlikeable, social climbing wife... Lots of good character parts, although the woman that Dennis thinks of leaving his wife for is a bit on the boring side, tho true blue. This is no Seabiscuit, and there are no huge surprises; however, for a fluff movie, the issues of divorce and possible adultery are quite intriguing (for the era). So you see, I thought the movie was much more about the people. I can't quite tell if my comments look as if I liked the movie or not... I did like the movie.

"The Great Dan Patch" is not the sort of film I would normally watch. While some people absolutely adore horses and movies about them, I really don't care much for them one way or the other. I mostly watched it because I like Dennis O'Keefe and he stars in this one.

I had never heard of Dan Patch and didn't realize what an amazing horse he was. Apparently, he had the distinction of being an unbeaten horse in trotting races....something that seems impossible. He was so dominant that after a while they couldn't get horses to race against him! This movie is a biography which plays a bit fast and loose with the facts....with about as much truth as Hollywood in the story. So, if you only want the full and true story, read up on Dan Patch...don't watch the movie!

The story is essentially about the horse but told much more about the horse's owner and the owner's son, David (O'Keefe). Most of the story centers not on Patch's life and career but on David's marriage to an ornery woman (Ruth Warrick)...and another woman (Gail Russell) who secretly loved him. In support are some excellent actors--Henry Hull, John Hoyt and Clarence Muse.

So is it any good? Well, it is entertaining and the acting is nice....but it IS about horses. So, if you love 'em, see the film. If you're more ambivalent (like me), it's pretty skippable.