Disney found success in 1946 with a simple period piece that mixed animation with live action called The Song of the South. Two years later, they would follow with a sentimental turn-of-the-century film called So Dear to My Heart. Going a little lighter on the animation this time, they put the emphasis on the simple relationship between a boy and the black sheep of the family. No, not a metaphoric black sheep, but a real live one.

On the Kincaid farm, circa 1903, two lambs are born, one white and the other black. Young Jeremiah Kincaid’s mother has little use for the darker one, so Jeremiah adopts it as his pet. While the family isn’t exactly supportive, Jeremiah is simply following the advise of a wise owl from one of his storybooks who informs the lad that “It’s what you do with what you’ve got.”

Jeremiah christens the young lamb Danny, after a thoroughbred horse named Dan Patch. Unfortunately, the lamb doesn’t quite live up to his namesake’s reputation, managing to annoy the family, especially ol’ Granny.  Faced with a bit of a dilemma, the boy takes the advice of a friendly blacksmith and decides to enter Danny in the upcoming county fair. The only hitch is that he can’t afford the entrance fee.

Soon, Jeremiah and his friend, Tildy, concoct a moneymaking scheme that manages to raise the necessary funds but before they can enter the sheep in the fair, Danny gets lost in a fierce storm. He wants to search for his wooly friend but Granny won’t let him out in the bad weather, telling the youngster that this is God’s way of punishing him for caring more about the country fair than the well being of the little lamb. Jeremiah does share of soul-searching and praying for Danny’s safe return, even though he realizes that if his prayers are somehow answered, his chances of having a black sheep win at the fair are slim at best.

One of Walt Disney’s favorite films, he once again enlisted child actor Bobby Driscoll (whose star rose rapidly, thanks to Song of the South) for the title role. Sadly, it would also mark the final film for veteran actor Harry Carey who didn’t live long enough to see the film’s premiere. This charming little film, although certainly not as successful as some of Disney’s other endeavors, still managed to win the hearts of more than a few moviegoers. And, it may actually be the only “boy and his sheep” film to ever make it to the big screen. As far as accomplishments go, that’s not too baaaad.