Little Miss Thoroughbred

1938 film by John Farrow

June 4, 1938 (1938-06-04)

Running time

65 minutesCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglish

Little Miss Thoroughbred is a 1938 film directed by John Farrow. Peggy Ann Garner made her debut in the film. It was also known as Little Lady Luck.

Plot

Knowing her father's out there somewhere, little Janet runs away from an orphanage. A couple of gamblers, Nails Morgan and Todd Harrington, are running late to get a wager down, but Nails lies to a cop, O'Reilly, pretending the little girl is his daughter; Janet plays along.

Madge Perry is charmed by her sweetheart Nails's new "child." The superstitious Nails wins at a dice game with the little girl nearby, so Madge convinces him that Janet is good luck. Madge picks a sure thing at the racetrack, having gotten a tip, but pretends it was Janet who suggested betting on the horse.

O'Reilly brings his own daughter by for a visit. Discovering what is going on, he says Janet can only stay if Nails and Madge immediately get married. They do, but after Janet's photo runs in the newspaper, the orphanage feels being around gamblers is bad for the child and asks to regain custody. Nails wins in court, but only by vowing to find a proper job.

Cast

John Litel as Nails
Ann Sheridan as Madge
Janet Chapman as Janet
Frank McHugh as Harrington
Robert Homans as O'Reilly

Production

The film was announced in January 1938 as Little Lady Luck. It was inspired by the success of Little Miss Marker (1934). George Bricker and Albert Demond worked on the story and John Farrow was announced as director. Warners said instead of using established child actors they look for talent from orphanages.^[1] Lead roles were given to Ann Sheridan and John Litel.

Four year old Janet Chapman was cast in the lead. Peggy Moran was signed. Filming began late January 1938.^[2] Chapman was signed to a seven-year contract.^[3] In March the title was changed to Little Miss Thoroughbred.^[4]

The film marked the debut of Peggy Ann Garner.^[5]

References

^ "MAXIMILIAN STORY IS IN LINE FOR MUNI". New York Times. Jan 18, 1938 – via ProQuest.
^ "NEWS OF THE SCREEN". New York Times. Jan 25, 1938 – via ProQuest.
^ Schallert, E. (Jan 29, 1938). "GOLDWYN RE-PACTS PHIL BAKER AS REWARD OF "FOLLIES" WORK". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 164788761.
^ "NEWS OF THE SCREEN". New York Times. Mar 12, 1938 – via ProQuest.
^ Schallert, E. (Sep 4, 1955). "Peggy Garner to play 'bus stop' in hollywood". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 166849306.