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So Dear to My Heart is a feature film produced by Walt Disney, released in Chicago on November 29, 1948 and released generally on January 19, 1949 by RKO Radio Pictures. Like 1946's Song of the South, it combines animation and live action. It is based on the Sterling North book Midnight and Jeremiah.

Set in early 20th century Indiana (in 1903), the film tells the tale of Jeremiah Kincaid (Bobby Driscoll) and his quest to raise his "champion" lamb, Danny (named for the famed race horse, Dan Patch, who is also portrayed in the film). Jeremiah's dream of showing Danny at the Pike County Fair must overcome the obstinate objections of his loving, yet strict, grandmother, Granny Kincaid (Beulah Bondi). Jeremiah's confidant Uncle Hiram (Burl Ives) is his steady ally.

The film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Song for "Lavender Blue (Dilly, Dilly)", but lost against "Baby, It's Cold Outside" from 1949's Neptune's Daughter, which came the same year.

Plot[]

Set in Indiana in 1903, the film tells the tale of Jeremiah Kincaid (Bobby Driscoll) and his determination to raise a black-wool lamb that had been rejected by its mother. Jeremiah names the lamb Danny for the famed race horse, Dan Patch (who is also portrayed in the film). Jeremiah's dream of showing Danny at the Pike County Fair must overcome the obstinate objections of his loving—yet tough—grandmother Granny (Beulah Bondi). Jeremiah's confidant, Uncle Hiram (Burl Ives), is the boy's steady ally. Inspired by the animated figures and stories, the boy perseveres.

Cast[]

Voices[]

  • John Beal as Adult Jeremiah/Narrator
  • Ken Carson as Owl
  • Bob Stanton
  • The Rhythmaires as Vocal Ensemble

Uncredited[]

  • Stewart Bair, Emmett Casey, Raymond Clark, Howard A. Davis, Robert Ebright, Dorothy Gourly, Eleanor Gourly, Marilyn Gourly, Henry Kruse, Cliff Liljekvist, Bud Linn, Grafton Linn, Charles Prescott Jr., Virginia Rees, Tudor Williams, John Woodburry - Singers
  • Fred Carter, Bill Todd - Sheep Handlers
  • Jack Chase - Abe (Dan Patch's Groom)
  • Marion Darlington - Whistling Sound Effect
  • Thomas Dunn, Jimmy O'Brien - Scottish Singers
  • Diane Florentine, Beulah Hubbard, Darlene Waters - Minor Roles
  • Daniel Haight - Fud Grundy
  • Alan Harris - Judge
  • Eva Lee Kuney - Honey Girl
  • Ralph Littlefield - Farmer
  • Clarence Nash - Vocal Sound Effect
  • Thurl Ravenscroft - Bull, Robert Bruce
  • William Stowell - Arch
  • Dink Trout - Bob Peters (Station Agent)

Production[]

The train depot in the film was later relocated to Grizzly Flats Railroad. After the railroad closed, John Lasseter relocated it to his property.

Music[]

Main article: So Dear to My Heart (soundtrack)

The film contains nine original songs.

Release and copyright[]

  • The film was re-released in 1964 and earned an estimated $1.5 million in rentals in North America.
  • So Dear to My Heart was not released on home video until 1986. It was then re-released in 1992 and released on video in 1994 as part of the Walt Disney Masterpiece Collection. The film was originally planned for a US DVD release as part of the Walt Disney Gold Classic Collection, but was cancelled, with no particular reason given. Six years after seeing a region 2 DVD release, it was released in the US on DVD in July 2008 as a Disney Movie Club Exclusive.
  • The film's copyright was renewed on September 4, 1975.[1] The copyright to the book it is based on was also renewed.[2]

Release[]

The film returned rentals to RKO by 1951 of $2,775,000 with $2,200,000 being generated in the U.S. and Canada.

The film was re-released in 1964 and earned an estimated $1.5 million in rentals in the U.S. and Canada.

So Dear to My Heart was released on home video in 1986. It was then re-released in 1992 and released on video in 1994 as part of the Walt Disney Masterpiece Collection. The film was originally planned for a US DVD release as part of the Walt Disney Gold Classic Collection, but was cancelled, with no particular reason given. Six years after seeing a region 2 DVD release, it was released in the US on DVD in July 2008 as a Disney Movie Club Exclusive.

Videos[]

Gallery[]

References[]


v - e - d
So Dear To My Heart logo
Media
So Dear to My HeartGolden Story Book
Characters
Jeremiah KincaidGranny KincaidTildyUncle HiramWise Old OwlDannySpiderBirdsChristopher ColumbusPete GrundyGrampa MeekerMr. Burns
Songs
So Dear to My HeartIt's Whatcha Do With Whatcha GotStick-to-it-ivityHo-Dee-I, Ho-De-ay, At the County FairLavender Blue (Dilly, Dilly)The Honey SongThe Black LambJerry's LambBilly Boy


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The Reluctant Dragon (1941) • Victory Through Air Power (1943) • Song of the South (1946) • So Dear to My Heart (1949) • Mary Poppins (1964) • Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) • Pete's Dragon (1977) • Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) • The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003) • Enchanted (2007) • Mary Poppins Returns (2018)
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