In a scene where Alec looks at memorabilia in the office of Mickey Rooney's ex-jockey character, one of the photos appears to be a young Rooney atop the horse in National Velvet (1944).

The black model horse seen in Alec's bedroom is a Breyer Animal Creations Foundation Stallion #64, produced for 11 years starting in 1977 and retired in 1987.

The scene with Alec and the cobra took two days to film, because the cobra was reluctant to spread its hood. During filming, Kelly Reno was separated from the snake by a pane of glass.

After his appearance in the two Black Stallion movies, Cass Ole returned to his life as a show-horse and stud. In his lifetime he sired 123 offspring. Among his many public appearances was one at President Reagan's inaugural parade in 1980. Cass Ole died in 1993.

Six years after Cass Ole's death, The Arabian Horse World magazine named him one of the 10 most important Arabians in America of the 20th century, noting that he "showed millions of Americans, through his movie The Black Stallion, the beauty, gentleness and tractability of the breed."

For Cass Ole doubles Junior and Star, The Black Stallion was the beginning of careers as stunt horses in many other films.

Kelly Reno would appear in only two more films; shortly after his high school graduation in 1984, his pickup truck was hit by an 18-wheeler and he suffered severe injuries that required a long recuperation period. Now in his 40s and himself a semi-truck driver, he lives in Colorado with his third wife.

Quotes from The Black Stallion

"Dad... You know what I saw? It's the most fantastic thing. Come look!" - Alec

"He had fire in his eyes, smoke coming out of his nose!" -- Alec's father

"You're not supposed to keep secrets from your mother." -- Alec's mother

" 'Cause this black, he can outbreak ya, ya know. He can outbreak ya. Ya'd just be sittin in mid air." - Henry

"He saved my life. I can't leave him." - Alec

"I gotta ride!" - Alec

Compiled by Roger Fristoe