AllMovie

Kentucky Courage was the second film version of John Fox Jr.'s 1903 novel The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come. Richard Barthelmess stars as Chad Buford, a sensitive Kentucky farm boy who escapes his sadistic guardian Nathan Cherry (Gustav von Seyfertitz) and finds a safe harbor in the home of Old Joe Turner (Nelson McDowell). Chad's budding romance with Turner's daughter Melissa (Molly O'Day) is put on hold by the Civil War. Fighting on the Northern side, the boy comes marching home five years later -- older, wiser, and a great deal stronger. After beating the town bully to a pulp, Chad settles down to a happy future with Melissa at his side. The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come was filmed for a fourth time in 1961, with singer Jimmie Rodgers as Chad.