A story so beloved it has inspired a half-dozen movie adaptations, a 2020 version of "Black Beauty" begins streaming on Disney+.
Kate Winslet offers a voiceover from the point of view of the titular horse, a mustang whose life takes her from an idyllic upbringing in the American West to a Long Island horse farm and any number of new owners.
Mackenzie Foy ("The Conjuring," "Twilight") plays Jo Green, the strident young woman grieving the loss of her parents, who forms an unbreakable bond with Beauty. Iain Glen ("Game of Thrones") is John Manly, her estranged uncle, the man who brings Beauty home from the wranglers out west.
While set in what looks like the present day, complete with helicopters and pickup trucks, "Beauty" effects a certain timelessness. With a name that leaves little in doubt, John Manly spends his time on the porch of his cabin reading books of poetry. He’s willing to share his library with Jo, but she’s too embittered, a young woman wounded in ways that only a horse can heal.
It’s hard to quibble with a long-beloved tale of girl/horse bonding and an animal character that endures mishaps and tragedies enough to fill a 19th century melodrama. Written by Anna Sewell, "Black Beauty" was published in 1877.
The transition to the modern day is half-hearted at best. And why bother messing with a beloved period piece? Would you want to watch "Little Women" in a shopping mall? "Anne of Green Gables" on Adderall?
Winslet’s voiceover is relentless and frequently overbearing. And for the most part, unnecessary. Horses are regal creatures precisely because they are silent. Leave talking horses to the sitcoms.
— From "Northern Exposure" to "Doc Martin," television creators (and viewers) can’t get enough of medical folk becoming fish out of water in picturesque locations. Netflix begins streaming the second season of "Virgin River," based on a series of novels by Robyn Carr. Alexandra Breckenridge stars as "Mel" Monroe, a nurse and midwife who leaves busy L.A. to relocate to a remote town in the forests of Northern California.
Look for Annette O’Toole as Hope McCrea, the mayor of Virgin River and a not-so reliable landlord and housecleaner. O’Toole’s many credits include "Nash Bridges" and "Smallville." She was Lana Lang in "Superman III." She is married to Michael McKean ("Laverne & Shirley" and "Spinal Tap"). Together, they were nominated for an Academy Award for the song "A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow" for the 2003 mockumentary "A Mighty Wind," created by McKean’s frequent collaborator Christopher Guest.
— Santa suffers amnesia in "A Go! Go! Cory Carson Christmas," streaming today on Netflix.
— An unsuccessful musician retreats to his parents’ home over the holidays in the Netflix series "Over Christmas." From Germany.
— Netflix also launches the seasonal "Sugar Rush Christmas: Season 2," starting today.
TONIGHTS OTHER CHRISTMAS MOVIES AND SPECIALS
— Jimmy Durante narrates the 1969 Rankin-Bass production of "Frosty the Snowman" (8 p.m., CBS, TV-G). The 1992 special "Frosty Returns" (8:30 p.m., TV-G) follows, featuring the voices of Jonathan Winters and John Goodman.
— Boris Karloff narrates the 1966 special "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" (8 p.m., NBC, TV-G).
— Mickey Rooney is heard in the 1970 special "Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town" (8 p.m., ABC, TV-G).
— A woman returns home to help with her father’s bed-and-breakfast in the 2020 romance "Five Star Christmas" (8 p.m., Hallmark, TV-G).
— A podcast host falls for a handsome firefighter in the 2020 romance "Dear Christmas" (8 p.m., Lifetime, TV-G).
— Mischief makers celebrate on "Minions Holiday Special" (8:30 p.m., NBC, TV-PG).
— A novelty song inspired the 2000 special "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer" (9 p.m., CW, TV-G).
TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
— Jane Pauley hosts a "CBS Sunday Morning" special (9 p.m.) celebrating pets.
— "WWE Friday Night SmackDown" (8 p.m., Fox, TV-PG).
— Singer Lea Salonga performs popular favorites on "Great Performances" (9 p.m., PBS, TV-G, check local listings).
— A fratricide and reverse racism on "Blue Bloods" (10 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14).
CULT CHOICE
Shirley MacLaine made her screen debut in Alfred Hitchcock’s whimsical 1955 mystery "The Trouble With Harry" (4:15 p.m., TCM, TV-PG). Look for Edmund Gwenn ("Miracle on 34th Street") as well as future TV stars Jerry Mathers ("Leave It to Beaver") and John Forsythe ("Bachelor Father," "Charlie’s Angels" and "Dynasty").
SERIES NOTES
"World’s Funniest Animals" (8 p.m., CW, TV-PG), followed by a repeat episode (8:30 p.m.) … "Dateline" (9 p.m., NBC, TV-PG) … "20/20" (9 p.m., ABC).
LATE NIGHT
Ryan Phillippe, David Cross and Wallows are booked on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" (11:35 p.m., ABC, r) … Stacey Abrams and Thomas Middleditch drop by "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" (11:35 p.m., CBS, r) … Hugh Laurie, Rachel Bloom, LP and Valerie Franco visit "Late Night With Seth Meyers" (12:35 a.m., NBC, r) … Josh Gad, the Score and AWOLNATION appear on "The Late Late Show With James Corden" (12:35 a.m., CBS, r).
