Sure, Henry Fonda is amazing in his first film role, Janet Gaynor displays spunky charm, and the supporting cast is six-deep with favourites from John Qualen and Slim Summerville to Sig Rumen and Margaret Hamilton, plus Vince Barnett as a crystal ball gazing "Hindu Prophet" ... but there is no movie to compare with this for the sheer glory of the horses assembled by Yakima Canutt . He outdid himself for this film.
The all-out star is the star-spangled grey Percheron. WHAT A HORSE. I cannot say enough about this calm, perfectly mannered draft animal. You will never see another like him, i guarantee.
Then we have Canutt's usual "stage coach stunt" wagon team -- and a cool stunt where they hear a loud noise and take off running. Play it back and see if you can figure where Canutt is hiding, driving them on long reins.
There are some other great draft horses too -- a white one pulling a plow is out standing in his field.
As if that weren't enough. There is entire herd of lithe ponies being ridden by genuine Native Americans, just in from a wild west show -- and their horses are all glossy and alert.
Slim Summerville drives a buggy horse who steps out lightly, and there are dozens more horses towing barges pulling wagons, getting shod, and being led through the streets.
And amazingly, while all of these these magnificent animals are in action, not a one is shown being stressed, other than the bolting wagon team -- but they knew that routine from a hundred Westerns.
The Erie canal scenes are gorgeous set pieces, filmed with perfect lighting and a true eye for artistic compositition. The costumes are period-perfect. The male chorus is manly, and it is a pleasure to hear Janet Gaynor whistling "Oh, Don't You Remember Sweet Alice, Ben Bolt?," and then to hear it played on a genuine old music box. Such attention to detail!!
And as if all of this were not enough, Yak also stunts for Henry Fonda! My gosh, it can't get any better than that.
Oh, there's a plot. Folks fall in love. Complications ensue. A resolution may or may not be achieved. But who cares -- THAT BEAUTIFUL HORSE steals the entire show.
