tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post2890461054059150382..comments2024-03-24T21:42:48.278-04:00Comments on Another Old Movie Blog: Seabiscuit (2003) & The Story of Seabiscuit (1949)Jacqueline T. Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-31327936407891986522012-06-01T06:46:43.156-04:002012-06-01T06:46:43.156-04:00Thank you, Aurora, and welcome. I liked your post ...Thank you, Aurora, and welcome. I liked your post on "Seabiscuit" very much. Page put together a great blogathon, and half the fun is reading everyone's different perspectives. It was a nice variety of movies.<br /><br />By the way, you put up some really terrific screen caps.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-17281367040136541422012-05-31T22:03:20.265-04:002012-05-31T22:03:20.265-04:00Jacqueline,
Whew! Am I ever glad I didn't re...Jacqueline,<br /><br />Whew! Am I ever glad I didn't read your post before I posted mine. I too wrote about Seabiscuit (2003), loved it as much as you but do it not half the justice. Also enjoyed your comparison, although I've never seen the 1949 film. Wonderful post. And LOVE the music!<br /><br />AuroraCitizen Screenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11596338896095275116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-17176551818039430802012-05-30T07:21:49.192-04:002012-05-30T07:21:49.192-04:00Does sound cute. Filmed on location?Does sound cute. Filmed on location?Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-23546682973476940532012-05-29T23:49:44.460-04:002012-05-29T23:49:44.460-04:00There is a cute movie short with Sybil Jason calle...There is a cute movie short with Sybil Jason called "A Day at Santa Anita" where Sybil is the usual niece or grand daughter of the ubiquitous crusty old trainer from Ireland. She's also a budding little jockey. I believe she sings and dances in jockey silks. The horse wins of course. It's cornball and really cute. The 1949 Seabiscuit movie is like an extended version of that short - without the charm. :-)panavia999https://www.blogger.com/profile/12022750065016664499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-74556927357384412892012-05-29T07:57:54.533-04:002012-05-29T07:57:54.533-04:00Thanks, Ivan. I don't see too many new movies...Thanks, Ivan. I don't see too many new movies, either. Not unless they're on TV, I happen to be flicking channels, and at least 30 seconds captures my interest. This is very rare. <br /><br />As for Shirley Temple and the 1949 movie, well she got the job because Margaret O'Brien was busy that day. These things happen.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-78726511335877745782012-05-29T01:18:46.942-04:002012-05-29T01:18:46.942-04:00I have to confess that I've not seen either of...I have to confess that I've not seen either of these films. I do have a note from my mother, however -- the newest <b>Seabiscuit</b> I haven't seen due to the fact that...well, I don't get around to seeing a lot of new movies. The older one...well, Page has already addressed that issue (there's not nearly enough Pepto-Bismol in the world to help me tolerate a Shirley Temple film).<br /><br />But this is a splendid review, and with folks like Chris Cooper and William H. Macy in it I'll keep an eye out for it if it comes my way.Ivan G Shreve Jrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04067177808320053382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-50607684343897484092012-05-28T18:51:06.054-04:002012-05-28T18:51:06.054-04:00Thanks so much, Dorian. You know, the idea of you...Thanks so much, Dorian. You know, the idea of your dad being a bookie conjurs up images of you being Little Miss Marker. Just like Shirley Temple.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-27351907498399106922012-05-28T18:16:56.431-04:002012-05-28T18:16:56.431-04:00Jacqueline, despite my dear late dad having been a...Jacqueline, despite my dear late dad having been a bookie, I'm nowhere near as knowledgeable about horse-racing as I'd like to be, so I especially appreciate your excellent double-feature of the 1949 and 2003 movie versions of Seabiscuit's story! :-) Of course, I was particularly riveted by your review of the 2003 version, but I especially appreciated the photo of the actual spectators. I really got a kick out of William H. Macy (he's a Team Bartilucci fave) and his line "I can take one comeback, but this is ridiculous. Who's next, Lazarus?" Your post was a fascinating history lesson, and you did a fine job of getting us into the protagonists' heads!DorianTBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01357778472575080022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-7338384088270725012012-05-27T07:44:07.153-04:002012-05-27T07:44:07.153-04:00Welcome, angelnumber25. Yes, that would really be...Welcome, angelnumber25. Yes, that would really be something if I'll Have Another won the Triple Crown. <br /><br />That's an interesting point about the changes in the movie from the Hillenbrand book. Old Hollywood, as we can see from the first Seabiscuit movie, made changes from the truth all the time to exploit what producers felt would be a more marketable story. But today? With a wealth of information at our fingertips - literally with Google - the general public knows what elements of a movie are fictional and what are fact. So why try to change a story anymore? Because sometimes facts are not a dramatic as the filmaker wants them to be? I don't know.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-20345186550675809382012-05-27T02:43:25.320-04:002012-05-27T02:43:25.320-04:00Great review of both films!
I haven't seen th...Great review of both films! <br />I haven't seen the 1949 version, as I had heard in advance that it is in essence a fictional story. I love the 2003 film as I feel it's not only a well-put together film with great acting, but a mostly accurate portrayal of racing. The only thing that really bothered me about it were the inaccuracies that Panavia pointed out, and they way they Hollywooded the ending by changing the way the Big Cap was run. Having read Hillanbrand's great book, I didn't see why that had to be changed, as it was already a remarkable story. <br />I liked how you mentioned exploring the ways we deal with history the more distance we grow from it. <br />And I'll also be rooting hard for I'll Have Another on June 9. How exciting would that be?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-56512722600805506002012-05-26T12:28:54.627-04:002012-05-26T12:28:54.627-04:00It's a fine film, to be sure. So glad you'...It's a fine film, to be sure. So glad you're part of the Horseathon.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-91954048580096444092012-05-26T09:52:19.764-04:002012-05-26T09:52:19.764-04:00Jacqueline, I have seen both film versions of Seab...Jacqueline, I have seen both film versions of Seabiscuit. The newer version (2003) is my favorite. I think it is because it seemed to pull on my heartstrings a little more..Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03476174860119487509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-64515371101431471452012-05-26T06:56:04.110-04:002012-05-26T06:56:04.110-04:00Silverscreenings, I guess we've reached an agr...Silverscreenings, I guess we've reached an agreement on the Shirley Temple movie. And wardrobe.<br /><br />Panavia, I'd forgotten about the Dan Patch movie. Maybe I can tackle that another time. Thanks for providing so much wealth of detail on the background of these movies and these famous horses. Your knowledge is impressive, and I appreciate you filling in the blanks.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-52818442893149666252012-05-25T23:57:36.121-04:002012-05-25T23:57:36.121-04:00Another very good movie about horse racing is &quo...Another very good movie about horse racing is "Ruffian", made by ESPN. It is a pretty accurate movie portrayal of horse racing and ends of course in a devastating and graphically depicted tragedy. "Phar Lap" was the Seabiscuit of New Zealand & Australia in the early 1930's. The movie "Phar Lap" is a feel good horse film until the horses tragic demise which is underplayed. Phar Lap's early death in California was also very grim. The Australians still have not forgiven us for that. There is a 1999 film "Shergar" about the thoroughbred stallion kidnapped by the IRA for ransom. In 1999 they did not know for sure the fate of the horse, so made a happy ending. Now they know that Shergar was most foully murdered by IRA thugs, so the movie is like a horrible joke now. <br />The 1984 movie "Champions" is about jockey Bob Champion's battle with cancer and the horse Aldaniti recovering from serious leg injuries and going on to win the 1981 Grand National. Most of the movie is concerned with the jockey and less with the horse but what's is really nice is that Aldaniti played himself in the movie. The Big Race was re-enacted on the Aintree racecourse and they used real footage. The real race is so long and grueling that the movie race is shorter than the real thing! <br />Finally there is a comedy "Fast Company" about a small time horse trainer and his promising horse. For Hollywood, it is a pretty good portrayal of life on the small time race circuit. It stars Howard Keel, Polly Bergen and Nina Foch, Marjorie Main. Nobody sings!panavia999https://www.blogger.com/profile/12022750065016664499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-65088355087018411472012-05-25T23:56:03.875-04:002012-05-25T23:56:03.875-04:00A person should watch the old Seabiscuit movie and...A person should watch the old Seabiscuit movie and pretend it's entirely different horse. It's such a silly movie. The 1940's "Dan Patch" movie also takes huge liberties. I assumed it's because the owners and/and their children were still alive. ( Dan Patch was just as big in his day as Seabiscuit and a successful sire, which Seabiscuit was not. )<br /><br />The new Seabiscuit movie takes plenty of liberties too. The character of Mr. Howard did not resemble the real man. He was portrayed as a larger than life cliché when in fact he was quiet and self effacing, but that's not good Cinema! His grandchildren were annoyed. War Admiral was portrayed as a huge horse compared to Seabiscuit, when in fact the two horses were almost exactly the same size. The real difference between them was conformation and personality. (Seabiscuit = cowhorse conformation, nice . War Admiral = almost perfect conformation, mean.) Again, it's not good Cinema to have a contest between two horses ideally suited to a match race BECAUSE of their close similarities and close blood ties. The movie just had to over play the under-dog card. <br />I actually prefer the documentaries that came out the same time as Hillenbrand's book and the movie. Real footage and even some nice interviews with very old people. In her youth, my mother knew several trainers who worked for Charles Howard. She met Seabiscuit and Tom Smith. <br />Here is a funny story. My mother said when she knew the horsemen who worked for Charles Howard, she was given one of Seabiscuit's fly sheets and one of his sweat scrapers. She said the sheet had Seabiscuit's name on it. She kept it at the barn where she boarded her horse, and it was stolen in the 1950's. Growing up we used that sweat scraper on all our horses. (A sweat scraper is a long slightly curved piece of hardwood which is used to remove sweat and water. Horses love it. These days they are made of plastic.) After my mother died, I went to her house to retrieve the heirloom silver and *the scraper*. I couldn't find it any place the horse supplies were kept. I finally found it in her dresser drawer. It was her favorite memento. I still use it on horses - it's like a good luck token. I also keep it in my bedroom in between uses. Of course, no one can prove the scraper really came from Seabiscuit's tack box. I just know my mother believed it and I grew up believing it. It's such a fun thought.panavia999https://www.blogger.com/profile/12022750065016664499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-27526286264696214422012-05-25T23:29:29.219-04:002012-05-25T23:29:29.219-04:00I like how you've included both movies in one ...I like how you've included both movies in one post! I found the original movie a bit hard to watch, but the actual footage of Seabiscuit is breathtaking. Also, I agree with Elisabeth's appraisal of Shirley Temple's wardrobe in this movie. :)Silver Screeningshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04955048716754142299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-71429877826618899262012-05-25T21:32:38.022-04:002012-05-25T21:32:38.022-04:00Yvette, I can imagine "Seabiscuit" on th...Yvette, I can imagine "Seabiscuit" on the big screen must have been fantastic. Good point that movies featuring horses are best enjoyed that way. Enjoy the movie this weekend.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-55651235716018569962012-05-25T20:50:14.014-04:002012-05-25T20:50:14.014-04:00I saw SEABISCUIT (2003) on the big screen where, I...I saw SEABISCUIT (2003) on the big screen where, I think, a lot of movies featuring horses are best enjoyed. Actually I have the dvd but haven't watched it in a while. Thanks to your review, I'm going to watch it again this weekend. It really was a wonderful movie. <br /><br />For all the reasons you state and also because it was just plain good movie-making. <br /><br />I loved Tobey MacGuire's red hair!Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-50932986071504595412012-05-25T18:55:16.963-04:002012-05-25T18:55:16.963-04:00Well said, gypsy.Well said, gypsy.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-37238758970616151012012-05-25T18:17:34.070-04:002012-05-25T18:17:34.070-04:00Jacqueline, I have seen both film versions of the ...Jacqueline, I have seen both film versions of the Seabiscuit story, the more recent being my favorite film centered on horse racing. Since I saw the later version first, I was a bit troubled by the factual inaccuracies in the earlier film, but I didn’t need to force any suspension of disbelief. I think the earlier film is like its lead actor and actress, encouraging a warm feeling of nostalgia for another place and time. However, when viewed through the perspective of the life and times of the men involved, and the country as a whole, the later film evokes a depth of emotion for the simple act of watching an astonishing horse overcome extraordinary odds.whistlingypsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06126688373252306609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-32326912521821799962012-05-25T17:50:00.003-04:002012-05-25T17:50:00.003-04:00Thanks, Flick Chick. So glad to see fans of the t...Thanks, Flick Chick. So glad to see fans of the the Biscuit.<br /><br />Welcome, Le. I'll look forward to reading your entry in the blogathon.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-6156637654944958392012-05-25T17:37:52.093-04:002012-05-25T17:37:52.093-04:00Wow, I di'nt know that Seabiscuit was a real h...Wow, I di'nt know that Seabiscuit was a real horse! I must confess that only the first movie called my attention, because of an older Shirley Temple.<br />I'm also in the blogathon, with A day at the Races.<br />Greetings!<br />LeLêhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02419693749682458647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-62827112709581798192012-05-25T17:05:32.199-04:002012-05-25T17:05:32.199-04:00Jacqueline - nice 1-2 punch on both posts. The new...Jacqueline - nice 1-2 punch on both posts. The new "Seabiscuit" is such a fine film and the Shirley film is pretty hokey but you are right - The Biscuit and War Admiral! Money can't buy that excitement. Thanks for many horse-happy memories!FlickChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351624749230610755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-36222486157071267502012-05-25T14:45:32.250-04:002012-05-25T14:45:32.250-04:00Sorry, I meant "Elisabeth". My backspac...Sorry, I meant "Elisabeth". My backspace key went to the kitchen for a cup of coffee.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-90500747357794647112012-05-25T14:44:33.023-04:002012-05-25T14:44:33.023-04:00CW, I think you'd be pleased with "Seabis...CW, I think you'd be pleased with "Seabiscuit" - 2003. It's a valentine, start to finish, and expertly put together.<br /><br />Grace, I think wardrobe probably accounts for 50 percent of our enjoyment of old movies. I agree that "Seabiscuit" 1949 is a cute movie, but it might have held up better through the years if it were not about a famous horse whose tale was well known at the time. If they had just chosen a fictional horse and set the uncle and niece from Ireland down in Kentucky, that might been a better story. <br /><br />Do have a look at Hillenbrand's book if you're interested -- it's splendid.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.com