My Friend Flicka is a 1943 American Western film about a young boy, played by Roddy McDowall, who is given a young horse to raise. It is based on Mary O'Hara's popular 1941 children's novel of the same name. Thunderhead, Son of Flicka, released on March 15, 1945, was the sequel to My Friend Flicka.

Wyoming ranchers Rob and Nell McLaughlin somewhat reluctantly decide to give their 10-year-old son, Ken, a chance to raise a horse and learn about responsibility. He chooses a one-year-old chestnut mustang filly and names her Flicka, which ranch hand Gus informs him is a Swedish word for "girl".

Rising debts and a "loco" strain have created problems for the McLaughlins. They accept a $500 offer from a neighboring rancher for the young filly's mother, Rocket, who had been clocked running at 35 miles per hour (56 km/h), but the mare is accidentally killed while being transported.

The situation gets worse when Flicka is badly cut by barbed wire and the wound becomes infected. Ken cares for her best he can, but the infection leads father Rob to conclude that the horse must be put down. A gunshot by his father makes Ken fear the worst, but it turns out he was warding off a mountain lion after being warned by Flicka. The filly's life is spared, and young Ken nurtures her back to health.

REAR COVER

McDOWALL STARS IN A CLASSIC TALE OF LOVE AND HOPE

A young boy is determined to befriend a rebellious horse in this touching family film based on the celebrated novel by Mary O'Hara.

Ten-year-old Ken McLaughlin (Roddy McDowall), who lives on the Goose Bar Ranch, desperately wants a colt of his own. Frustrated by the boy's constant daydreaming, Ken's father (Preston Foster) finally lets him choose any horse in the herd. Ken picks a beautiful filly whom he names Flicka, but the high-spirited animal comes from a "bad" bloodline that's considered to be hopelessly wild. lo prove Flicka is worth keeping, and prove himself as a person, Ken sets his heart on winning the horse's confidence and ultimately taming her. Along the way, Ken begins to grow up a little and everyone learns some important lessons in this poignant tale of love, patience, faith, and "hope beyond hope"