Pur sang

SPORTING BLOOD (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1931) directed by Charles Brabin, is a horseracing story, one of many produced at that time since and beyond. Taken from the story "Horseflesh" by Frederick Hazlitt Brennan, rather than concentrating on a story about a jockey and his horse, for example, the opening credits claims this to be a biography about a horse. Of the twelve film releases featuring Clark Gable, SPORTING BLOOD is relatively known for being his first starring role. Even though he comes 42 minutes into the story, it's the second billed Ernest Torrence who's very much the leading human character and thoroughbred Tommy Boy both its subject matter and main focus.

The story begins with Jim Rellence (Ernest Torrence), a horse breeder in Lexington, Kentucky, showing off his many horses to his friend, Maguire (J. Farrell MacDonald). During a heavy rainstorm, Southern Queen is reported missing only to be found injured with a broken leg resting in a puddle of mud where she has given birth. Unable to save the horse, with the help of Uncle Ben (John Larkin) and Sammy (Eugene Jackson), Jim and Maguire return the colt they name Tommy Boy to the farm where he's milk fed and later placed under the care of a new mother horse. From pony to full-grown horse, Rellence, very much attached to Tommy Boy, finds himself having to sell the thoroughbred to Jerry Hartwick (Harry Holman) in order to keep his horse-trading business. Hartwick enters Tommy Boy to the races at Latonia where the horse wins the race, attracting the attention of Angela (Marie Prevost), who insists her husband, Bill Lideking (Hallam Cooley) buy him for her. He offers Hartwick $40,000 for Tommy Boy, only to have the thoroughbred purchased by gambler "Tip" Scanlon (Lew Cody) only after Mrs. Lideking loses interest in him. Hoping to earn some big wages from his gambling friends, Scanlon drugs Tommy Boy to win. Losing the race and unable to pay off his debts, Scanlon attempts to leave town and fails in the process. With Tommy Boy now under the ownership of Ruby (Madge Evans), Scanlon's mistress of three years, she and her new love interest, "Rid" Riddell (Clark Gable), former gambling table dealer under Scanlon, must decide what's to happen to this poor animal used only as a "reward for past favors.

Although the story is well-paced through much of its 82 minutes, its presentation with "My Old Kentucky Home" theme song has more to its Fox Films/20th Century-Fox (where many horse racing themed stories were produced) feel to it. There are some cute elements involving animals. One that stands in memory is of a little dog imitating the horse's gallop. While Madge Evans has more to do than Gable, Gable one scene of merit is grabbing on to Evans and saying, "Come here, woman!" Evans' introduction to the story as a tough-looking cigarette smoking mistress may be placed against type but is well-played. Ernest Torrence, a fine actor with a rough exterior, is quite believable as a man showing his love and affection for his many horses, especially Tommy Boy.

With this being Clark Gable (sans mustache) on his way up to super star status, the supporting players benefit well in their assigned roles that keep this from being just another horseracing story. Though MGM produced another SPORTING BLOOD (1940) with Robert Young and Maureen O'Sullivan, that latter edition is not a remake.

Other than some limited broadcasts on Turner Classic Movies cable channel, SPORTING BLOOD is available for viewing on DVD. (***)

Gable's gangster laden character career before "It Happened..." continues in this saga about a race horse looking for respect from a succession of owners mishandling its career. Clark may have the lead in the film but a fine supporting cast including the horse Tommy Boy run neck and neck throughout.

Horse breeder Jim Rellence (Ernest Torrence) is forced to shoot his prize mare Southern Queen but not before she gives birth to Tommy Boy who develops the right stuff in no time. Reluctantly he sells the horse whose new owner succumbs to dollar signs and the whims of a dilettante. Lacking horse sense and ignoring trainers advice Tommy Boy is run into the ground before being rescued by a moll (Madge Evans)left to her by a recently whacked boyfriend gambler who over estimates Tommy's abilities. She returns to Rellence's farm to get Tommy as well as herself back in shape.

Sporting Blood moves at a decent pace as it moves from owner to owner, first with the touching and warm affection of a restrained Torrance at the farm followed by a series of inept meretricious owners to Evan's Ruby who finds her own redemption in bringing Tommy Boy to the Derby. Marie Provost and Hallam Cooley provide comic relief while black actors Gene Jackson and John Larkin lend dignity instead of wide eyed Tomming to their roles in playing key contributions to the plot. Gable is self assured and imposing but Evans handles him well throughout while Tommy Boy's big heart adds to the crowded field in a suspenseful well edited finale that has Sporting Blood finishing in the money.

I recently caught this film on TCM during their celebration of Clark Gable as "Star of the Month" and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Good behind the scenes racing story, with the added attraction of a very young Clark Gable in his first top-billed role. Yes, the story is sentimental, but exceedingly well done, with excellent performances by all. But the best surprise of all is the treatment of the African American characters in the film. Considering the time period, all of the African Americans are treated as intelligent, thinking HUMAN beings, not as shuffling minstrel show caricatures. Why isn't this film better known? Catch it when you have the chance. Highly recommended!

Pleasant movie about a racehorse named Tommy Boy and his various owners. First half is best. It actually becomes less interesting when the focus shifts to Clark Gable and Madge Evans. It's no fault of theirs; their performances are fine and they have good chemistry. But the early parts with Ernest Torrence and the black stable hands is much more moving and powerful. After this it lags some but manages to pick up towards the end. Also worth mentioning is the portrayal of black characters in this film is exceptional for the time. They're treated like human beings with real emotions and families. The racing footage is nice, though I'm not big on horse racing so I am giving a layman's opinion there. It's a surprisingly good movie. I wasn't expecting much going in. Wonderful ending, too.

The first part of this movie, about the birth and rearing of "Tommy Boy", is pretty good, if a tad sentimental. Ernest Torrence does his usual excellent job. In the second half, Tommy Boy leaves the farm and falls in with bad companions, and the whole thing degenerates into into bad soap opera. The camerawork is erratic: the shots in the field were apparently shot MOS and look pretty good, but the second half becomes stage bound.