I remember watching this movie on television at my mother-in-law's house. Always excited to see it not so much because of the plot line, but because the music with by Bobby Scott, a talented composer I was privileged to know personally for a period of time. The print suffers as did so many films from the '70s due by color changes where red and green seemed to dominate. The story was a simple one of a man in New York who owns a stable and decided to teach some handicapped youngsters about life by the simple act of horseback riding. Jack Klugman, most famous for having played Oscar Madison of the TV show "The Odd Couple," turns in his usual sturdy and believable performance. There's nothing exceptional about this film, but it does have the moments of sweetness and a genuine feeling of caring for the characters is evident here. The obvious raspy, yet soulful voice of Bobby Scott is unmistakable, along with his trademark song stylings. This leads me to wonder why the producers of this film made such an obvious mistake in the end credits instead giving the credit for the music to Jimmy Scott (whose voice had more of a light, almost feminine quality. Certainly nothing like Bobby's.)
Bobby was best known within the industry as an arranger, and for writing the songs "A Taste Of Honey" and "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother." I just think that it is a shame that more people don't know his name, although it didn't matter to him personally. He arranged for Bobby Darin and even played for Quincy Jones for the soundtrack of "The Color Purple" yet still so few know him. (By the way, it's his piano work on "Sister" or "Celie's Song." He and Quincy worked together for well over a decade. Jones is infamous for not giving other's credit.)
The film is an unremarkable one, but to it's credit, avoids being saccharine and cutesy. The only other notable point of this movie is that it was the film debut of the great actor Morgan Freeman.
Bobby was best known within the industry as an arranger, and for writing the songs "A Taste Of Honey" and "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother." I just think that it is a shame that more people don't know his name, although it didn't matter to him personally. He arranged for Bobby Darin and even played for Quincy Jones for the soundtrack of "The Color Purple" yet still so few know him. (By the way, it's his piano work on "Sister" or "Celie's Song." He and Quincy worked together for well over a decade. Jones is infamous for not giving other's credit.)
The film is an unremarkable one, but to it's credit, avoids being saccharine and cutesy. The only other notable point of this movie is that it was the film debut of the great actor Morgan Freeman.