Sporting Blood

Horseman Myles Vanders (Robert Young) is at the end of the line--he's broke and his best horse has an injury. With no other apparent options, he returns to his ancestral home in Virginia...a place he's dreaded ever visiting again. This is because long ago, his father ran off with Mrs. Lockwood...and the Lockwoods have done their best to make him feel unwelcome since this family practically owns the county. Interestingly, while Mr. Lockwood (Lewis Stone) is NOT pleased to see Myles, folks seem to think they would be helping Lockwood by doing Myles dirty...which happens several times throughout the film. But Myles has a plan...to date Lockwood's daughter and use her against him. But the plan fizzles...when she runs off and marries another man. However, oddly, her sister (Maureen O'Sullivan) marries Myles...but their marriage is a complicated one to say the least. What's to come of all this? See the film...or not

This film is in many ways like a soap opera and a horse racing film in one. However, it also is a movie that seems to go on too long and isn't quite sure of its plot. Many important story lines just seem to fade and the overall film is too long and disjoint to be anything more than a time passer.

The story has some important lessons in it that are not put forth in today's movies. The movie has a wholesome story line that is so much a part of the past as compared to the 'whatever feels good' examples that are shown to our young people today.

Robert Montgomery is best remembered for his role in the "Father Knows Best" sitcom and this much younger version of him is great fun to watch.

The musical theme is very familiar and if anyone knows the name of it, I would like to hear from them. I recently heard the same theme in another film, also a horse race movie, but do not remember the title. Perhaps the music has something to do with the state of Virginia.