"Saratoga" is one of those films that is dated because it is set in a milieu that is no longer very common in America. Racetracks and thoroughbred racing once were big business, big news, and of big interest to a large number of Americans. Horseracing was known as the sport of kings. And, until well past the mid-20th century, it was the only legitimate form of public gambling around the U.S.
Then came state lotteries in the 1960s. Shortly after that, casinos became legal; then other ways for people to gamble came along. All of this has greatly diminished public interest in horse racing. The take from racing peaked in 1964. Attendance and spending began to drop until by 2010, the horses represented less than three percent of the annual take from gambling. Racetracks have been closing around the country, and all projections are that racing will continue to decline and may eventually come to an end.
So, films like "Saratoga" are chronicles of a fast fading American past. Dozens of movies were made in the 1930s and 1940s in which racing and racetracks have considerable exposure.
This movie has a so-so plot and big name cast. The screenplay and a couple of characters seem overdone to the point of being hammy. Notably, Jean Harlow as Carol Clayton, Lionel Barrymore as Grandpa Clayton, and Frank Morgan as Jesse Kiffmeyer. Harlow is hammy in her snootiness and snobbery early in the film. Barrymore is too bellicose over the demise of his stables. Morgan's Kiffmeyer seems way overdone in his fumbling with words just to get things straight in his talking.
About the only main cast members who do very well in their roles are Clark Gable, Walter Pidgeon and Una Merkel. Gable's Duke Bradley is a likable, decent fellow, and a clear denizen of the race tracks. Pidgeon is Hartley Madison, an old acquaintance of Duke's and very rich fiancé of Carol. Merkel plays Fritzi, a former friend of Duke's who is now married to Kiffmeyer.
The movie gets its name from the historic racetrack at Saratoga Springs, NY (since 1863). Part of the film was shot there and other of the outdoor and track scenes were filmed at locations in Kentucky. This is a comedy-romance that not everyone will enjoy. Those who like racing and horses will go for it. For some it may be slow and boring.
Then came state lotteries in the 1960s. Shortly after that, casinos became legal; then other ways for people to gamble came along. All of this has greatly diminished public interest in horse racing. The take from racing peaked in 1964. Attendance and spending began to drop until by 2010, the horses represented less than three percent of the annual take from gambling. Racetracks have been closing around the country, and all projections are that racing will continue to decline and may eventually come to an end.
So, films like "Saratoga" are chronicles of a fast fading American past. Dozens of movies were made in the 1930s and 1940s in which racing and racetracks have considerable exposure.
This movie has a so-so plot and big name cast. The screenplay and a couple of characters seem overdone to the point of being hammy. Notably, Jean Harlow as Carol Clayton, Lionel Barrymore as Grandpa Clayton, and Frank Morgan as Jesse Kiffmeyer. Harlow is hammy in her snootiness and snobbery early in the film. Barrymore is too bellicose over the demise of his stables. Morgan's Kiffmeyer seems way overdone in his fumbling with words just to get things straight in his talking.
About the only main cast members who do very well in their roles are Clark Gable, Walter Pidgeon and Una Merkel. Gable's Duke Bradley is a likable, decent fellow, and a clear denizen of the race tracks. Pidgeon is Hartley Madison, an old acquaintance of Duke's and very rich fiancé of Carol. Merkel plays Fritzi, a former friend of Duke's who is now married to Kiffmeyer.
The movie gets its name from the historic racetrack at Saratoga Springs, NY (since 1863). Part of the film was shot there and other of the outdoor and track scenes were filmed at locations in Kentucky. This is a comedy-romance that not everyone will enjoy. Those who like racing and horses will go for it. For some it may be slow and boring.