WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.000 If you've got a horse-obsessed kid in your house, I've got something very special for you. The Black Stallion Returns — a 1983 sequel with a great storyline about a boy willing to cross an ocean to save his best friend. 00:00:12.000 --> 00:00:30.000 It displays the kind of animal acting you just don't see anymore because CGI has replaced it, and it's full of emotional depth that can't be matched. Stick around because I'm going to tell you which US president had the Black Stallion at their inauguration. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:01:00.000 Welcome to Wholesome TV Picks — the only podcast where every recommendation comes from 35 plus years of watching wholesome TV your family can actually trust. If you want clean, uplifting content for family movie night without the 45 minutes of scrolling through Netflix, I'm here to help. Let's get into it. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:25.000 The Black Stallion Returns is based on the book by Walter Farley, the original author of The Black Stallion. It's a story about Alec Ramsey journeying to the country of Wadi Draw to save his horse, the Black, after he's stolen by the horse's original owners and taken back to their homeland. 00:01:25.000 --> 00:02:00.000 You'll be swept away as you follow Alec's tremendous journey through the desert, unfamiliar territory, and a completely different culture — all to find his friend. This was one of those films I rented from the video store and the library over and over again until my dad was ready to hide the VHS tape. 00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:30.000 Funny enough, my youngest daughter, who's 12 now, did the exact same thing when she was little. From about the age of three on up, this was her go-to movie. She watched it over and over until she could quote the whole thing. Like mother, like daughter, I guess. 00:02:30.000 --> 00:03:00.000 Now I know what you're thinking — sequels are sometimes a letdown. Here's the thing: you can watch this movie completely on its own without ever seeing the first Black Stallion. But I do recommend watching the original first so you really understand the depth of Alec and the Black's relationship. If you want to know more, go back and check out episode 32. 00:03:00.000 --> 00:03:35.000 This movie has the same brilliance as the first because they didn't cut corners. Same cinematography, same emotional depth, same cast. The magnificent Cass Ole returns as the Black Stallion, Kelly Reno as Alec, Terry Garr as his mom, plus some new characters. I can't tell you how many times I've watched sequels where they swap out the actors — it just ruins everything. Not in this one. 00:03:35.000 --> 00:04:00.000 There is one bad word — SOB — at about the one hour, thirty-one minute mark. And the music — oh my gosh. This soundtrack is incredible. It tugs at your heart and soul and pulls you right into Alec's journey. Your kids are going to feel every moment of this adventure. 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:45.000 Now let me share what makes this movie so powerful for families. It teaches courage and independence through Alec's journey. A teenage boy travels from New York to Wadi Draw in Africa — completely alone. No money. He doesn't speak the language. He doesn't know the culture. He has to figure out how to find his horse, find food, and blend in when he sticks out like a sore thumb as an American kid. He finds people to help him and picks up cultural tricks along the way, and he is not afraid — because his love for the Black is bigger than his fear. 00:04:45.000 --> 00:05:30.000 That's what drives him to press on, especially when he runs out of water in the desert. I think it really shows kids what it means to go the distance for someone you love who's irreplaceable. And this is where the movie really shines — the love that Alec has for his horse is fully visible on the screen. They have this undeniable connection and you'll feel it through the screen. 00:05:30.000 --> 00:06:15.000 I think that's because Kelly Reno spent so much time before filming bonding with Cass Ole — that was the actual horse's name. If you've got a family pet — a dog, a cat, a bird — you know exactly what I'm talking about. That unconditional love. That's the kind of relationship Alec has with the Black. 00:06:15.000 --> 00:07:00.000 There's a moment in this movie that teaches kids about love and loss in a beautiful way. I'm not going to spoil it, but there's a sacrifice Alec makes because of his love for the Black. He gives up what he wants for what's best for his friend. Every single time I watch it, tears stream down my face. It's about loving someone enough to put their needs above your own wants. 00:07:00.000 --> 00:08:00.000 Now let me share why the animal acting in this film is something special you just can't find anymore. Corky Randall trained Cass Ole for this film. He and his dad Glen found Cass back in 1980 for the original movie. The talent it took for Corky Randall to train this horse — nothing short of amazing. Animal trainers like Corky Randall and Rudd Weatherwax — the man behind Lassie — created animal celebrities that don't exist anymore. 00:08:00.000 --> 00:09:00.000 As a kid, I knew so many horse and dog actors' real names, not just the characters. Cass Ole was the Black Stallion. Bart was the Bear. Jed was White Fang. Pal was the original Lassie. Chris was Beethoven. They inspired countless children wanting to work with animals. These animals became household names — and it shows what an impact they had on children and adults alike. 00:09:00.000 --> 00:10:00.000 CGI has completely replaced the need for real animal actors. The 2020 Call of the Wild with Harrison Ford is a perfect example. When you compare that computer-generated dog to Cass Ole in this film, you'll immediately see the difference. Real animals bring a depth and emotion to the screen that computers just can't replicate. Movies like this are your chance to give your kids that experience. 00:10:00.000 --> 00:11:00.000 Real animal actors like Cass Ole created connections that stay with you for life. That's why movies like this matter. They give your kids the chance to fall in love with a real animal — not a computer-generated one. And who knows — Cass Ole might become the first animal celebrity your kids can actually name. 00:11:00.000 --> 00:12:00.000 Here's the bottom line — this movie is a must-watch for every family. Cass Ole, the Black Stallion, will capture the heart of you, your kids, and anyone else willing to sit down and watch. It brings a richness to your soul that's worth passing on to the next generation. 00:12:00.000 --> 00:13:00.000 If I've helped you save even 20 minutes of scrolling this week to find something safe and worth watching, do me a favor and head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a review. It really does support the show and I can't do this without you. 00:13:00.000 --> 00:14:00.000 Remember at the beginning when I mentioned the Black Stallion appearing at the inauguration of a US president? Did you guess who it was? It was Ronald Reagan in 1981. Cass Ole was actually in Reagan's Inauguration Parade. From Hollywood films to presidential inauguration parades — the Black Stallion became part of American history. 00:14:00.000 --> 00:15:00.000 Your kids' TV doesn't have to be limited to whatever Netflix or Hulu is pushing this week. You can choose quality content like this and give your child the same kind of memories that have stuck with me and my children for decades. You can watch it for free on Tubi TV — I'll leave the link in the show notes for your convenience. 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:30.000 That's it for today's episode. Join me next week where I'll share a made-for-TV movie about a mom dealing with a stalker of her 14-year-old daughter — and what she did about it. Have a great rest of your week. Remember — your values matter, and your TV should too. I'll catch you next week. Take care.