My Friend Flicka (film)

My Friend Flicka
Directed by Harold D. Schuster
Produced by Ralph Dietrich
Written by Mary O'Hara (novel)
Francis Edward Faragoh (adaptation)
Lillie Hayward
Starring Roddy McDowell
Preston Foster
Rita Johnson
Music by Alfred Newman
Production
company
Twentieth Century-Fox
Distributed by Twentieth Century-Fox
Release dates
 May 26, 1943
Running time
 89 minutes
Country United States
Language English

My Friend Flicka is a 1943 coming-of-age film about a young boy, played by Roddy McDowall, who is given a young horse to raise. It is based on the popular children's novel by Mary O'Hara.

Plot

Wyoming ranchers Rob and Nell McLaughlin somewhat reluctantly decide to give their 10-year-old son, Ken, a chance to raise a horse and learn about responsibility. He chooses a one-year-old filly and names her Flicka, which ranch hand Gus informs him is a Swedish word for "girl."

Rising debts and a "loco" strain have created problems for the McLaughlins. They accept a $500 offer from a neighboring rancher for the young filly's mother, Rocket, but the mare is accidentally killed while she is being loaded into a van.

The situation gets worse when Flicka is badly cut by barbed wire and the wound becomes infected. Ken cares for her best he can, but the infection leads father Rob to conclude that the horse must be put down. A gunshot by his father makes Ken fear the worst, but it turns out he was warding off a mountain lion after being warned by Flicka. The filly's life is spared, and young Ken nurtures her back to health.

Thunderhead, Son of Flicka released in March 15, 1945 was the sequel to My Friend Flicka.

Cast

External links