Screen-version of George Agnew Chamberlain's book concerns determined farm boy in rural small town America training two prize-winning mules to drive; pretty soon, he and the two stubborn creatures are hauling out logs from the forest and making $15/day, which irks the man he bought the mules from as well as his own evil stepbrother. Director F. Hugh Herbert, who also adapted the screenplay, does a terrific job setting the mood of the piece--frisky but also angst-ridden. Lon McCallister is the polite juvenile battling with his father's crude wife and her son for his dad's respect, later butting heads with farmer Tom Tully (in a convincingly angry, blow-hard performance). Although a simple tale of a boy's love for two mules, Herbert keeps the scenario busy with melodrama. Thankfully, it isn't overly-folksy, and the villains (including Anne Revere, in her least-sympathetic role ever) are surprisingly effective. The romance subplot between Tully's blonde, beautiful daughter June Haver and skinny McCallister doesn't quite work (she seems a bit out of his league), but little Natalie Wood is fun to have around spying on her neighbors and getting all the juicy gossip. Solid contract-picture from Fox has an undeserved poor reputation (with its title causing most of the derision), but I was entertained. Look fast for Marilyn Monroe as "Betty" on the church steps. **1/2 from ****
Review of Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay!
Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay!
(1948)
Much better than its reputation would lead you to believe...
17 December 2008