Elizabeth Taylor was only twelve. Think about that for a second. Most kids that age are worried about middle school or learning to ride a bike, but Taylor was busy convincing MGM she was the only person on the planet who could play Velvet Brown. She actually grew four inches just to meet the height requirements for the role. That’s the kind of grit that defined the cast of National Velvet, a group of actors who turned a simple story about a girl and her horse into a 1944 masterpiece that still hits hard today.
When you look back at the film, it’s easy to get distracted by the Technicolor landscapes or the Pie (the horse, whose real name was King Charles). But the magic wasn't just in the cinematography. It was in the chemistry of a cast that blended Hollywood royalty with newcomers who were about to change the industry forever.
The Young Star Who Refused to Move
Elizabeth Taylor didn't just audition. She campaigned. Directed by Clarence Brown, the film needed a girl who looked fragile but possessed a "spirit of fire." Taylor had the fire, but she was too short. Legend has it she spent months eating steak and exercising to hit a growth spurt. Whether it was the protein or just biology, it worked.
Taylor’s performance as Velvet Brown is raw. Honestly, it’s one of the few times you see a child actor who isn't "performing" for the camera; she’s living it. Her connection with the horse was genuine, too. After filming wrapped, the studio actually gave her King Charles as a gift because their bond was so obvious to everyone on set. It’s rare to see that kind of authenticity in the studio era.
Mickey Rooney: The Fallen Idol
By 1944, Mickey Rooney was already a massive star, but his career was in a weird spot. He played Mi Taylor, the cynical drifter who finds redemption through Velvet’s ambition. Rooney was usually the loud, energetic lead in "Andy Hardy" films, but here, he had to play second fiddle to a young girl.
It was a gamble.
Rooney delivers a performance that’s surprisingly quiet. He’s the backbone of the film, providing the grounded, slightly world-weary contrast to Velvet's wide-eyed optimism. If Taylor is the heart of the cast of National Velvet, Rooney is the muscle. He brings a sense of stakes to the Grand National dream—reminding us that the world outside the paddock is often cruel and unforgiving.
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Anne Revere and the Strength of Silence
If you want to talk about the unsung hero of this movie, you have to talk about Anne Revere. She played Mrs. Brown, Velvet’s mother. Revere won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for this role, and she earned every bit of it.
She doesn't have a lot of flashy dialogue. Instead, she uses her eyes. There’s a scene where she gives Velvet her prize money—gold coins she won years ago swimming the English Channel—and it’s one of the most moving moments in cinema history. Revere represents the "thwarted" woman of the early 20th century who sees a second chance at glory through her daughter.
Ironically, Revere’s real-life career took a dark turn not long after. She was blacklisted during the McCarthy era because she refused to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee. For years, one of the greatest actresses in the cast of National Velvet couldn't find work in Hollywood. It’s a sobering reminder that the industry wasn't always as wholesome as the films it produced.
Donald Crisp and the Fatherly Authority
Then there’s Donald Crisp. He played Mr. Brown, the stern but ultimately loving father. Crisp was a veteran of the silent film era—he actually worked with D.W. Griffith. By the time he joined this production, he was the go-to guy for "stern patriarch" roles (think How Green Was My Valley).
He provides the friction. A story needs a "no" before it can get to a "yes," and Crisp’s character provides that "no" until the very end. His chemistry with the rest of the family makes the household feel lived-in. It wasn't just a set; it felt like a home.
The Supporting Players You Might Have Missed
The ensemble was rounded out by some incredible talent that often gets overlooked:
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- Angela Lansbury: Before she was solving murders or singing about beauty and the beast, she was Velvet's older sister, Edwina. She was only 19 here.
- Juanita Quigley: Playing Malvolia Brown, she added that necessary sibling dynamic that made the family feel real.
- Arthur Treacher: The quintessential "English Butler" type, though he played a different sort of character here as the patron of the race.
Why the Casting Worked So Well
Technicolor was expensive and tricky. Lighting had to be incredibly bright, which meant the actors were often sweating under massive lamps. Despite the physical discomfort, the cast of National Velvet maintained a level of intimacy that's hard to find in modern blockbusters.
They weren't just "types."
Usually, in 1940s films, characters were one-dimensional. The dad was the boss, the mom was the cook, and the kids were the comic relief. But in this script, based on Enid Bagnold’s novel, every character has a secret or a dream. Mrs. Brown was a champion swimmer. Mi Taylor was the son of a man who lost everything. Velvet was a visionary.
The Real Star: King Charles
We can't talk about the cast without mentioning the horse. King Charles was a grandson of the legendary Man o' War. He was notoriously difficult to handle and had a reputation for biting people. Taylor was one of the few people who could actually manage him.
The horse wasn't trained in the traditional Hollywood sense to do "tricks." He was just a high-strung athlete. This lent a sense of danger to the racing scenes. When you see Velvet galloping across the downs, that’s not a stunt double for the most part; that’s Taylor, and that’s a very fast horse.
The Lasting Impact on the Actors
For Elizabeth Taylor, this was the "big bang" of her career. She transitioned from a child star to a serious actress almost overnight. But for others, the movie was a bittersweet peak. Mickey Rooney would soon head off to serve in WWII, and his career would never quite hit the same heights of superstardom again.
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The film also set a standard for "girl and her horse" movies. Every movie in that genre since—from The Black Stallion to War Horse—owes a debt to the way this cast played their roles. They treated the material with dignity. They didn't talk down to the audience just because it was a "family film."
A Note on Historical Accuracy
It's worth mentioning that the film takes some liberties with the actual Grand National rules of the time. In the 1920s (when the story is set), a girl disguising herself as a boy to ride in the race was a total fantasy. But the cast sells the lie so well that you don't care. You want her to win. You want the underdog to beat the system.
How to Appreciate the Film Today
If you're going back to watch it, don't just look at the racing. Watch the scenes in the kitchen. Watch the way Anne Revere looks at Elizabeth Taylor when Taylor is talking about her dreams. That is masterclass acting.
The cast of National Velvet succeeded because they understood the film wasn't actually about a horse race. It was about the moment a child realizes they have the power to change their own life. It's about the support system (the family) that allows that spark to become a flame.
Step-by-Step: Revisiting the Classic
To truly understand the impact of this legendary cast, follow these steps for your next viewing:
- Watch the 1944 original first: Ignore the sequels or the remakes. Start with the source. Pay close attention to the Technicolor saturation—it was designed to make the world look like a dream.
- Research the Blacklist: Look into Anne Revere’s life after the film. Understanding her political stand adds a layer of toughness to her performance as Mrs. Brown.
- Check out the "International Velvet" sequel: If you want to see how the legacy continued, watch the 1978 sequel starring Tatum O'Neal, where Elizabeth Taylor makes a brief appearance (in spirit and via photos).
- Read the original novel by Enid Bagnold: It’s darker and more complex than the movie, giving you a better sense of the characters the actors were trying to portray.
- Look for the "Easter Eggs" in Taylor’s later work: You can see flashes of Velvet Brown’s determination in her roles in Giant or Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. The foundation was laid right here in the stables of MGM.
The film remains a powerhouse of storytelling because it treats its characters with respect. It’s a snapshot of a time when Hollywood believed in grand, sincere emotions. Whether you’re a fan of horse racing or just a student of classic cinema, the performers in this movie offer a lesson in how to bring a story to life with nothing but heart and a really fast horse.