SYNOPSIS: Newsreel cameraman falls in love with the daughter of a racehorse trainer. What he doesn't know is
COMMENT: This fast-moving "B" represents a considerable cut above the movies Nick Grinde ground out for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Right from the ingenious credit titles, mounted on cards plastered on the side panels of a parade of newsreel trucks, the film moves at a crackerjack pace. The scenes with Purnell Pratt's explosive executive are exceptionally lively. Norman Foster (later a director, see "Journey into Fear") makes an agreeable go-getter of the hero, whilst Eric Linden wears an appropriately mournful air as his sidekick. Evalyn Knapp comes over with reasonable felicity as the deceptive heroine. And it's good to see the lovely silent star Esther Ralston in a decent role as Pratt's pragmatic secretary. George "Gabby" Hayes can be spotted in a small but key part (with an Irish accent yet). I also enjoyed Irene Franklin's comic song number. As might be expected (considering both subject matter and producer), some use is made of stock footage, but it is effectively and even (as in the scenes with Christian Rub) ingeniously utilized. The climactic car chase with roadsters spinning over and into the camera has been specially staged. Photography rates as attractive and other credits peg on levels that are never less than competent. Available on a very good Alpha DVD.
COMMENT: This fast-moving "B" represents a considerable cut above the movies Nick Grinde ground out for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Right from the ingenious credit titles, mounted on cards plastered on the side panels of a parade of newsreel trucks, the film moves at a crackerjack pace. The scenes with Purnell Pratt's explosive executive are exceptionally lively. Norman Foster (later a director, see "Journey into Fear") makes an agreeable go-getter of the hero, whilst Eric Linden wears an appropriately mournful air as his sidekick. Evalyn Knapp comes over with reasonable felicity as the deceptive heroine. And it's good to see the lovely silent star Esther Ralston in a decent role as Pratt's pragmatic secretary. George "Gabby" Hayes can be spotted in a small but key part (with an Irish accent yet). I also enjoyed Irene Franklin's comic song number. As might be expected (considering both subject matter and producer), some use is made of stock footage, but it is effectively and even (as in the scenes with Christian Rub) ingeniously utilized. The climactic car chase with roadsters spinning over and into the camera has been specially staged. Photography rates as attractive and other credits peg on levels that are never less than competent. Available on a very good Alpha DVD.