Broadway Bill

My main reason for seeing 'Broadway Bill', what the film is called in my country, was Frank Capra, who was responsible for many great films ('It's a Wonderful Life' is an all-time favourite for instance and 'It Happened One Night' and 'Mr Smith Goes to Washington' are also classics). He was one of the kings when it came to the feel good, sentimental films and his style was easy to recognise. The cast is also a talented one, the most familiar name to me being Myrna Loy.

'Broadway Bill', 'Strictly Confidential' is another title the film is known under, is not one of Capra's best and falls short of being a classic. Did find myself thoroughly enjoying it with that being said, with there being a lot to admire, and it is easy to see why Capra's films connect with many from seeing 'Broadway Bill'. Even if other films of his do that even better. Not one of my favourite films centered around horse racing, but more than worthy all the same.

There is very little wrong here with 'Broadway Bill'. The very ending is a bit on the too neat side, though admittedly very postively uplifting in the lead up to it.

It was not easy at first to like Dan and took a while to warm to him, with the character having a lot to him to make one hate him outright. Luckily, this didn't stay for the whole film.

Conversely, 'Broadway Bill' is well made visually. Especially in some very beautifully framed shots and some quite thrilling editing in the climax. Capra takes things seriously while not being too heavy, and he avoids making the film get corny or sickly sweet while maintaining the feel good factor present in many of his films. There is a nice whimsy in the scoring, while the script brings a smile to the face with some charming humour and a big heart.

Found the story, while not always surprising, very heart-warming and easy to be uplifted by. Also got a good deal of emotion out of it, especially in the beautifully staged climax. A climax that was exciting and tear-inducing where one really roots for the right outcome. While it took me time to warm to Dan, Warner Baxter infuses a lot of enthusiasm and energetic charisma when he gets into the role. Loy is alluring and very charming and amusing Clarence Muse and particularly the joy that is Raymond Walburn are great fun. Broadway Bill himself is adorable and easy to root for.

Summing up, very well done. 8/10

Broadway Bill (1934)

*** (out of 4)

Wonderfully charming film about Dan Brooks (Warner Baxter), a man who walks away from his wife's family business so that he can enter his horse, Broadway Bill, in the Derby where the hopes to become a winner. The only one who believes in Dan is his wife's sister (Myrna Loy) and the not-all-there Colonel Pettigrew (Raymond Walburn). This film followed IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT so that's probably the main reason this here isn't as well remembered but apparently not even the director himself liked it as he would never speak about it an only discussed it in his book when talking about its remake RIDING HIGH. With that said, I personally found the film to be quite charming due in large part to the wonderful cast with Baxter and Loy leading the way with some very strong supporting performances. Baxter gets to play the fast-talking, go getter and he's wonderful in the part. He brings to so much energy and good charm to the role that you can't help but want to see him succeed. Loy is at her very best as she has no problems getting smiles and making for a good love interest even though the film keeps their relationship rather watered-down considering you really couldn't have a married man wrapped up with his sister in law. The supporting cast features Walburn getting plenty of laughs playing a lovable moron, Walter Connolly, Douglas Dumbrille, Margaret Hamilton and Raymond Walburn. Clarence Muse plays the servant in the film but he nearly steals the film as he's given plenty of a very good scenes and works extremely well with the entire cast. I was a little surprised to see how the movie ends but it's quite touching as only Capra could do. This isn't one of the director's greatest films but it's a pleasant little "B" movie that has a terrific cast, some nice laughs and a winning story so recommending it is easy.

"Broadway Bill" is one of Frank Capra's lesser known gems. Made in 1934 and starring Warner Baxter and Myrna Loy, it is the story of a man who is willing to walk away from a life of wealth to follow his dream. In many ways it is the typical Capra film.

Adapted from a story by Mark Hellinger, "Broadway Bill" has all of the feel and characters one might expect from a Damon Runyon tale.

Baxter as the owner of Broadway Bill and Loy as his sister-in-law, who is also in love with him are first rate. As are Walter Connolly, Clarence Muse, and especially Raymond Walburn, who walks off with the best role.

Dated and a little sappy, but full of good cheer from start to finish.

"Broadway Bill" is a good bet.

8 out of 10

Dan Brooks is tired of his dull life as the manager of a paper box manufacturing company, given to by his father in law, J.L. Higgins, a man obsessed with acquiring as many businesses and properties as he can. The only thing Dan seems to enjoy is racing his horse, Broadway Bill. When Higgins forces Dan to choose between his work or the horse, Dan continues the movie by choosing the latter, which causes his wife, Margaret, to stay behind and be disowned by the family. Dan, along with his stablehand Whitey, plans to race Broadway Bill in the $25,000 sweepstakes (and show Higgins that he wasn't wasting his time working on Broadway Bill), but needs to come across $500 for the entry fee. Dan, Whitey, Margaret's sister Alice (who really has a crush on Dan) and one of Dan's old friend's from his racetrack days, Col. Pettigrew, come up with every trick they know to get the money, while still dealing with a gambling syndicate trying to clean up on a rival horse by driving up the odds, Broadway Bill suffering from a cold, and Dan locked up for failing to pay the stable & feed bill. Very good film, but lacks the magic Capra had with his other films (It Happened One Night, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, etc.) Baxter is good as Dan, but just doesn't seem right for the hopeful characteristics needed. Loy is a delight as Alice/Princess, Connelly repeats the same role he played in It Happened One Night, & Muse, Walburn, & Overman lend fine support as Whitey, the Colonel, and Happy respectively. Good script, using nice humorous touches, and a touching ending. Rating, 8.

Frank Capra, who gave us so many well known films, such as "It Happened One Night," "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town," and "It's a Wonderful Life," also gave us the lesser known "Broadway Bill" in 1934.

The movie was remade later as "Riding High" with Bing Crosby, though it is not a favorite of Frank Capra.

The story concerns Dan Brooks (Warner Baxter), married to a wealthy woman and working for her father (Walter Connelly). Dan is miserable. He walks away from the job and his wife, who refuses to accompany him, to pursue his dream of working in the racing industry. He gets behind a horse named "Broadway Bill." Bill is super-fast, but even with everything stacked against the horse, Dan knows he can win.

Myrna Loy costars as Dan's sister-in-law, who believes in what he's doing and is secretly in love with him.

"Broadway Bill" is a sentimental film, with some satisfying moments. However, I have to admit I'm not crazy about the racing footage - I believe wire was used to trip the horses, which is disturbing.

Not Capra's best, but not bad either if you can stomach accidents with horses.