“Sergeant Murphy” A Huge Success

Northern Advocate, 30 January 1939, Page 2

“Sergeant Murphy” A Huge Success

Among cavalrymen the world over there’s a legend—or maybe it’s a true story—about a service horse that was branded “1.C.” (inspected and condemned), turned out of the troop, trained by its veteran mount, then made into a steeplechase racer that goes on to win the Grand National in England.

Mary Mag'iiire, Australian girl, and Ronald Reagan co-starred in “SOrgeant Murphy ,” the exciting story of an army horse known affectionately as {Sergeant Murphy.

True or legendary, the story has been made by Warner Bros, into an altogether delightful movie called “Sergeant Murphy.”

Most of the picture was made at the Presidio of Monterey, in California, and a groat number of authentic cavalrymen, artillerymen and infantry-

men take part in it, as well as a splendid cast of actors.

Ronald Reagan, a handsome newcomer from the radio ranks, plays part of Danny Murphy, who loved his horse so well—and a fine looking animal it is. too, that plays ‘'The Sarge.”

Max*y Maguire, sft.. 18-ycar-old starlet from Australia, is the Colonel’s daughter, with whom Reagan falls in, love. Donald Crisp, always grand in military parts, is the colonel himself. There are many gripping scenes of cavalry charges and artillery tactics; beauty is introduced in some Santa Barbara Horse Show sequences, and the height of thrills comes along with a reproduction of the Grand National Steeplechase, This was made on the lovely Santa Anita track near Hollywood. .

No director in Hollywood, they say, can make racing or other fast-action scenes like B, Reeves ("Breezy”) Eason. It is he who directed the breath-taking charge in "The Charge of the Light Brigade." and it was he again who directed the whole picture of “Sergeant Murphy.” The adventures of this great horse and rider make a highly recommended story,