Home in Indiana (1944)

Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??

Boring, over-political, tech fuzed mess

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

Hard not to like this picturesque celebration of America's heartland. Sure, it's idealized, filmed as though it stepped off the pages of a glossy Town and Country magazine. And that's along with a super-engaging Crain and McCallister whose two youthful innocents seem worlds away from today. Add Brennan and Greenwood as the tough-love adults and it's a great core cast. The values are strictly family and conservative-- right down to grace before dinner-- but in a non-sanctimonious way.Director Hathaway paces the spare plot nicely so that events never drag. McCallister's got to get surrogate dad Brennan back into the horse business. But to do that, he must win a trotter's race (an Indiana specialty), and in the process develop eyes for the de-glamorized tomboy Crain who's stuck on him. Naturally there are complications, including Haver's glamorous rich girl who proves a temporary distraction. But, surprise, surprise, things do work out in the end.No, they sure don't make 'em like this any more, right down to the Huck Finn swimming hole and Greenwood's stern mother figure looking like she stepped off that famous American Gothic painting. Hollywood's nostalgia factory was hitting on all eight with this warm, non- sappy tale. I guess my only reservation is why they went to Kentucky to film a tribute to Indiana. Oh well, we're probably lucky they didn't cut corners and do it in the studio backlot.

The trivia section states that the racing scenes for this movie were shot in Fremont, Ohio. That may be true for the early scenes, but the final race in which Maudine IV races after going blind were shot in Marion, Ohio at the Marion County Fairgrounds. Although it has changed a lot in recent years, I spent many of my early years playing in the stands at the fairground and even rang the "call to the post" bell that is rung in the movie. My mother told us stories of seeing the stars of the movie at the fairgrounds when they were filming. One of the older guys I used to work with claimed he dated June Haver when they were in town. Even if I didn't believe him, I have no doubt that my mother was telling me the truth.The list of filming locations does credit Marion, as well as several other locations where harness racing was one of the main local pastimesI do enjoy the movie and try to catch it whenever it is on (generally on the FOX movie channel).

I am old enough to have seen this movie first run. At the time I was blown away by this film because it had every thing in it any city kid would want to be able to do, which mostly was race horses and have a pretty girl interested in the same thing as a friend. Since this film was so important to me I feel compelled to correct an error in the cast listing by IMDb. Currently Jeanne Crain's character is listed as Char Bruce which is correct, but June Haver's character is listed as Cri-Cri Bruce which would make them sisters which they are not! Cri-Cri is the daughter of Godaw Boole, the owner of the horse farm where Char's father is the head trainer, soooooo Cri-Cri's last name should be Boole, not Bruce! I have no idea how this casting error crept into IMDb's data base, but as a movie fan interested in accuracy I'm requesting that IMDb correct this mistake. I know I am right in this because I've seen this film at least 20 times over the years and have read the book that the film is based on (The Phantom Filly).

Your reaction to HOME IN INDIANA will depend entirely on whether you are a horse racing fan or at least a fan of films about horse racing. Since I am neither, I found this movie pretty dull going except for the acting and human interaction.Walter Brennan and Charlotte Greenwood are very good in the early part of the film and are convincing as the tough, unsentimental guardians of Sparke, played by Lon McAllister. Jeanne Crain is fresh and likable and was clearly a face, body and personality to watch, though she looked much prettier and sexier a year later in STATE FAIR. June Haver presents us with her doll-like perfection and seems as bright, chilly and inhuman as ever (she later became Mrs. Fred MacMurray after a stay in a convent).The real find here was Lon McAllister. Poised and completely charming, he had an easy way with dialogue, an expressive face and an ingratiating smile. This should have been the beginning of big things for him, but it wasn't. Too bad the perky, Mickey Rooney boy-next-door types were going out of fashion (Rooney himself never regained the stardom he enjoyed before he went into the military during WWII.) McAllister ought to have succeeded in television, but perhaps he tired of show business. Wonder what happened to him after this?