Actually, the only reason this is considered a comedy is because most of the characters are hysterically larger than life, funny without knowing they're funny or purposely acting that way. The story focuses on the rise of the title character, a race horse owned by Warner Baxter and a group of his chronies, which includes Raymond Walburn, Lynne Overman and Baxter's love interest, the beautiful Myrna Loy. She's the daughter of the town's wealthiest man (Walter Connelly) whose every move guides the success of the community. Clarence Muse gives a terrific performance as his handler, actually getting lines that indicate how well spoken and smart he is, certainly no Stepin Fetchit.
Two "Wizard of Oz" stars, Margaret Hamilton and Clara Blandick, appear in this, and were connected (along with the funny Raymond Walburn) to the later Capra remake, "Riding High". Hamilton and Walburn basically repeated their roles almost verbatim while clips of Blandick, complete with her 30's Marcel wave, were inserted into the 1950 Bing Crosby film. The huge ensemble also includes Douglas Dumbrille as a determined better, Claude Gillingwater as one of the world's wealthiest men, and diminutive Frankie Darro as of course, a jockey. Capra regular Charles Lane's presence as a tough talking reporter is no surprise.
Not as well known as other Frank Capra 30's classics, but still really good none the less. The script is very smart and wry, funny not in a laugh out loud way, but ironic and representative of some peculiar kinds of personalities. No one here is even close to anyone else. As the story develops, it becomes obvious that a happy ending won't necessarily occur, so some real risks occur. Baxter and Loy are a great team, with the glorious horse winning the viewer's heart.
Two "Wizard of Oz" stars, Margaret Hamilton and Clara Blandick, appear in this, and were connected (along with the funny Raymond Walburn) to the later Capra remake, "Riding High". Hamilton and Walburn basically repeated their roles almost verbatim while clips of Blandick, complete with her 30's Marcel wave, were inserted into the 1950 Bing Crosby film. The huge ensemble also includes Douglas Dumbrille as a determined better, Claude Gillingwater as one of the world's wealthiest men, and diminutive Frankie Darro as of course, a jockey. Capra regular Charles Lane's presence as a tough talking reporter is no surprise.
Not as well known as other Frank Capra 30's classics, but still really good none the less. The script is very smart and wry, funny not in a laugh out loud way, but ironic and representative of some peculiar kinds of personalities. No one here is even close to anyone else. As the story develops, it becomes obvious that a happy ending won't necessarily occur, so some real risks occur. Baxter and Loy are a great team, with the glorious horse winning the viewer's heart.