The Big Chance

This film contains a lot of delights. Seeing Mickey Rooney, four or five years before hitting the big time in the Andy Hardy series, is fun. I also enjoyed Hank Mann as the sidekick. He was terrific in Charlie Chaplin's "City Lights" two years before. His boxing scene with Chaplin may be the funniest fight scene in any movie. He doesn't have much to do in this movie, but he does add nice comic touches. There are a lot of rural shots that are a bit unusual for the time period. Many early talkies were bogged down in the studio due to the heavy cameras and poor microphones of the time, but this seems to enjoy a silent movie freedom of camera movement. The lead, John Darrow is quite handsome and charming. He really could have been another James Cagney if the breaks had gone his way.

There is only one real fight scene in the movie. It is obviously edited with some documentary footage, but it is reasonably well done. The movie is pretty gentle, even with its gangster/fixed fight sub theme. The romance is really the key element here and Darrow and Merna Kennedy make a really nice couple. There seems to be some genuine affection or seduction going on between them.

At only an hour's running time, this is certainly no epic, but it moves well and is an entertaining quickie. I recommend it for those who enjoy golden age movie making.