‘The Black Stallion’ and Other Animal-Themed Films on TCM’s 31 Days of Oscar

Jeff Pfeiffer March 15, 2023

Mickey Rooney and Kelly Reno The Black Stallion (1979) — United Artists

Best Supporting Actor Oscar nominee Mickey Rooney (in background) and Kelly Reno, with their equine costar, in 1979's *The Black Stallion*

Each day, Remind will direct you to at least one (often several) notable classic movies worth tuning in to on TV for a given day.

Turner Classic Movies continues its 31 Days of Oscar programming event, offering a lineup of Oscar-winning and -nominated films from throughout cinema history all month long (it began March 1 and continues through early April 1). This year, titles are grouped into themed genre blocks, with one or two themes spotlighted each day.

Lions, horses and dogs, oh my! On Wednesday, March 15, beginning at 8pm ET, 31 Days of Oscar gets a little wild with “Animal Stories,” an evening lineup of five Academy Award-nominated and/or -winning films that prominently feature animals. Featured titles are, in order:

The Black Stallion (1979): nominated for two Oscars, including Best Supporting Actor (Mickey Rooney), and received a Special Achievement Award for its sound editing (Alan Splet)

Born Free (1966): won both of its nominations, for Best Original Score (John Barry) and Original Song (“Born Free,” by Barry and Don Black, performed by Matt Monro)

Lassie Come Home (1943): nominated for its color cinematography by Leonard Smith

National Velvet (1944): had five nominations and won two: Best Actress (Anne Revere) and Editing (Robert Kern)

Sounder (1972): earned Cicely Tyson and Paul Winfield the only Best Actress and Actor nominations of their careers, and was also nominated for Best Picture and Adapted Screenplay (Lonne Elder III).