The Yearling Movie Celebrates 75 Years
December 2021 marks the 75th anniversary of the premiere of the motion picture The Yearling. The motion picture, based upon Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’ Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that has since become an American classic, was a critical and popular success. The story of a boy’s coming of age in the Florida
wilderness in the post-Civil war period, it received seven Oscar nominations: Best Actor (Gregory Peck); Best Actress (Jane Wyman); Best Director (Clarence Brown); Best Motion Picture; Best Art Direction (Color); and Best Cinematography (Color). It won in the Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography (Color) categories. Claude Jarman. Jr., who played the boy Jody won a special Academy Juvenile Award.
To celebrate this anniversary the Friends of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Farm, Inc., is planning a once-in-a-lifetime celebration. Our special guest will be Claude Jarman, Jr.
On Sunday, December 12, The Yearling will be shown at the Marion Theatre in Ocala. This 1946 Technicolor movie will be shown most appropriately on the “big screen” in a 1940s theater. And there is more: Claude Jarman, Jr., will be interviewed on stage. Much of The Yearling was filmed in the Florida scrub in what is now called the Ocala National Forest. Among the memories that Jarman will share are those of the Florida filming. And there is even more: Jarman’s recent autobiography My Life and the Final Days of Hollywood will be on sale ($25, cash or check only) and available for signing at the event.
The program will begin at 12:300 p.m. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Tickets (Adults, $15.00; children under 12, $10) may be purchased through the Marion Theatre box office. A truly unique opportunity: you will see the motion picture as it was meant to be seen – in a 1940s movie house on the big screen. You will be able to hear Jarman’s insights on the film. And the proceeds will benefit the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park.
Also part of this celebration: on Saturday, December 11, the Friends will hold a reception for Claude Jarman, Jr., at the Dancing Cows Ranch in Cross Creek (14707 S. CR 325), from 1:00-4:00 p.m. The Yearling memorabilia and decorations will be on display, and Florida refreshments will be served. A preview of a presentation on Florida memories of the filming of The Yearling will be presented. This presentation will include portions of interviews of local participants in the filming and their relatives. Among those interviewed are Bobby Randall, Jarman’s double/stand in; Lawrence Kinsey and Richard Mills, who worked on the set; and relatives of other participants in the project, such as Alva Dame Kinsey, whose father was Gregory Peck’s double/stand in. Registration for the reception by clicking here. The cost is $30 for members of the Friends of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Farm, Inc., and $35 for non-members. Proceeds will benefit the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park.
Tickets to both events are limited so buy yours soon.
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