How to Break 90 #3: Hip Action

How to Break 90 #3: Hip Action (1933)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

William B. Davidson, O.B. Keller and Warner Oland are out golfing with Bobby Jones but they don't realize that W.C. Field is slowly stalking around watching them. When the men finally sit down Jones has Field's show him his shot, which has the wrong hip action. This is when Jones shows the proper way to swing your hips so that you can get a good strike on the ball. Overall this third entry is a minor step down in terms of entertainment but fans of the golfer or the stars will still want to check it out. Field, being called Bill here, has a couple good moments but overall I'd say they didn't use him as good as they could have. Keller, Davidson and Oland pretty much do nothing and have very little actual dialogue. Those interested in hearing from Jones will be happy to know that his teachings are pretty much the main focus here. The slow motion shots of him explaining the proper way to golf will certainly be of interest to those wanting to know his skill.

During the 1930s, the Vitaphone unit of Warner Brothers made a variety of how-to videos starring Bobby Jones, the legendary golfer of the day. Considering that is considered one of the greatest golfers, even today, the studio helped give golfers and historians some amazing footage of the guy. Plus, golfers will appreciate how the films are so educational and well made...folks today could still benefit from this instruction.

If you are not a golfer, and I definitely am not, then the films still hold some interest--particularly this one since it also features Warner Oland (Charlie Chan) as a member of Jones' golf party and W.C. Fields as himself--frustrated and more than willing to take instructions from Jones on how to improve his stroke. Because of this, it's still quite watchable today and very well made.

By the way, it is interesting that Fields and Oland were in the film as Fields was on contract with Paramount and Oland with Fox at the time.