La voce nell'ombra

The Long Shot is a not bad racetrack story which was an independent production released by Grand National Studios. Had this film been done at a major studio with some name stars it might well have become a classic.

Some major players have some roles here like kindly Harry Davenport whose horses have been losing as often as Bing Crosby's if you listened to Bob Hope's monologues back in the day. But there's a reason for it, he's being systematically being victimized as another owner C. Henry Gordon has ruthlessly bribed the jockeys on Davenport's horses and others including young Gordon Jones who likes Davenport's daughter Marsha Hunt.

Gordon's machinations are not just involving the sport of kings. He's got designs on Hunt as well in true Snidely Whiplash tradition.

But the good guys get themselves an equine secret weapon and there's quite a plot hatched against Gordon in the big Santa Anita Handicap. For that you have to see the film.

Nice racing newsreels worked into the story here and the cast is a good one. The Long Shot is a good film and one that those who like the sport of kings will be pleased with.

Harry Davenport has had a string of terrible losses and has lost his stable and his ranch. He wills his last good horse to niece Marsha Hunt and pal Gordon Jones, sets the horse free, and fakes his own death. Miss Hunt and Mr. Jones proceed to figure out what to do, with the usual misunderstandings along the way.

I'm reminded of a story about Al Jolson. He was touring in a show about horse racing. In the middle, he stopped the show and turned to the audience. "Folks," he said, "The horse wins the race and the boy gets the girl. Would you rather see that or do you want me to sing?"

Given the muddled script with the subpar writer Ewart Adamson credited, I didn't expect much. However, competent B director Charles Lamont has an interesting cast, including C. Henry Gordon, George Meeker, George E. Stone and Tom Kennedy. With them, he has taken a a bog-standard script and pushed a little life into it. It's not a good movie by any means, but it's worth watching to the end once.