The Secret Garden (1949)

Orphaned during an Indian cholera epidemic, Margaret O’Brien is sent to Britain to live with her reclusive uncle Herbert Marshall and his ill-tempered, bedridden son Dean Stockwell. When she learns of the existence of a hidden garden from the brother of a housemaid, the secret creates a bond between the three children. I enjoy watching O’Brien and Stockwell’s childhood acting. They both have a very natural charm about them which is well met in their scenes together. I also love a well-timed black & white to color scene and the reveal of the no longer neglected garden is quite a flourishment. It makes for a rather lovely family friendly film.