classicsoncall I have to concede that this picture had me constantly off balance. It began with the relationship between Ramona Moreno (Loretta Young) and her brother Felipe (Kent Taylor). Didn't it seem like they were just a little too lovestruck to be brother and sister before Alessandro (Don Ameche) came on the scene? Felipe was definitely looking to take the relationship to a different level before he learned of Ramona's background, but even so, they would have been raised as siblings. The whole thing didn't compute with me.Then there was the casting of Don Ameche as an Indian. That might not have been so bad but with the way his hair was restrained by the headband he looked like Andy Kaufman to me. Upon his very first meeting with Ramona hanging from the apple tree, all I could do was wonder how she got up there in the first place. Stop and think about that for a minute.So when Ramona finally confessed her love to Alessandro it just seemed like it came out of left field. They get married and with a quick scene change they already have a baby. After getting kicked off their land by the white settlers, they're taken in by a pioneer family for a time, but even there, Aunt Ri Hyar (Jane Darwell) goes through a brief moment of racist resentment before figuring the couple is OK.I guess what I'm saying is that all these situations probably needed a bit more development in the story to make sense, but instead they occurred almost as random events with no sense of continuity. On the plus side, Loretta Young made for a quite lovely leading lady with a genuinely wholesome charm for the era. Her appearance in the story is the only reason I can come up with to catch this picture, otherwise you can give it a bye.

kayeohio1947 I have read the novel "Ramona" a few times, and it seems something was lost when the book was translated into film. First of all, the story takes place in the Spanish colonial days of California, and this is why the Native Americans are speaking with Spanish accents. The "gringo" white people (Americans) are seen as the villains because they mostly are Protestant and are moving into a predominantly Catholic area and are claiming land that had been granted to Spanish settlers by the King of Spain. There was this same ill feeling about gringos or "white settlers" when Texas was in the process of separating from Mexico and becoming part of the United States.As for Ramona's being a half-breed, the novel explains she is the child of the Spanish rancher and his Native American girl friend. The rancher brings her, as an infant, to the hacienda, and the rancher's wife agrees to bring up her husband's illegitimate daughter as if the child were her own or at least her social equal.I am not sure of Loretta Young's heritage, but I believe she was a devout Catholic and perhaps was of Latin descent. It so happens her sister Georgiana was married to Ricardo Montalban, so Miss Young was associated with Latin Americans in her private life. Mr. Ameche was an Italian-American and no doubt Catholic, so he fit into this story of Spanish-colonial California very well.I hope this explanation has helped some reviewers better understand the background of "Ramona." One of my favorite scenes is the priest coming to bless the flock of sheep and crops each spring. It is reminiscent of the same blessing in "The Thorn Birds" and the annual "Blessing of the Fleet" in the Gulf Coast area of the United States.

MartinHafer Back in the 1930s and 40s, Hollywood was extremely insensitive (and stupid) about casting folks for minority roles. However, that was the time and you just need to keep your politically correct instincts in check when you watch this one! Imagine.....Loretta Young playing a woman who is half American Indian and half Mexican! While this sounds dumb, understand that the likes of Rock Hudson played Indians in films--or Don Ameche cast as a full-blooded native like he is in "Ramona"!! As for J. Carrol Naish--like Anthony Quinn, he played just about everything (except blacks) in films--so it isn't surprising he's in this one playing a Mexican. Plus, frankly, he's played so many nationalities, most everyone at the time had no idea what his heritage really is!! But Loretta Young and Don Ameche--with their lovely American diction (especially Ameche, who is practically the epitome of politeness and class)!!! What were the executives thinking (or smoking)?! "Ramona" must have been a prestige picture for 20th Century-Fox, as it is filmed in beautiful 1930s-style Three-Strip Technicolor--a HUGE expense at the time and something reserved only for the best films. In fact, it was the first such film made by the studio.When the film begins, Ramona is in love with a cultured man from a very good family. So does she....or so she thinks. Eventually the truth is discovered--she's a half-breed! And she's forced to leave her home by some real jerk-faces. But before she goes, her native friend (Ameche) tells her that he's loved her--and she is thrilled, as she loves him, too. So, they run away together and get married. However, their life is tough, as folks are quite prejudiced towards them--throwing them off their farm. Can they somehow find a place that will accept the strangely cultured couple--and their new baby?! Overall, I'd say the writing isn't bad (but it is a bit schmaltzy) and the film manages to be watchable in spite of some terrible casting.By the way, if you want to see other films with equally ridiculous casting, try finding "The Conquerer" (with John Wayne as Genghis Khan and red-headed Susan Hayward as his bride, Bortai)--or most any Charlie Chan film.

loschavez This is an oldie but goodie. I can't locate a copy anywhere, which may be understandable. I have to find it, becausewant my wife to see it.When I last saw it, black and white TV was the norm; so it's dated. Came to find out it was in Technicolor all the time! I'd read the famous novel as young and innocent teen, soon to be ravished by Loretta Young. (Listen; NOBODY was more beautiful than Loretta Young.) She was a fine Hollywood actress. The story of Ramona is a frontier tragedy, but nevertheless lovely. Loretta acted her part not only sweetly. She was really perfect as Ramona. None of the settings were extraordinary; just adequate.The plot is a little too mushy. Yet it's very romantic; you can't help being swept up in it, owing to both Loretta and young Don Ameche, at the peak of his stardom. He was what we'd call a hunk these days; with uncommon screen presence. Ameche could act; I don't think I ever saw him do any part poorly. Why hasn't this 1936 classic been re-mastered and saved on DVD? I'll keep on looking for a video. I'd rate "Ramona" easily a 6. --Ciao, movie fans!