elginbrod2000

Well, the star of this film from start to finish was 18 year old Janette Scott of "The Day of the Triffids" fame. It was also a pleasant surprise to see Celia Johnson some 12 years later from the classic film "Brief Encounter", and looking very good indeed. She brings the same understated charm to this part as she did to that one. You genuinely feel the admiration between her and the character Jess Oakroyd. Janette Scott brings her all to this part; dancing a few simply numbers very nicely and lip syncing with aplomb. She does lack the gravity of a superstar, but this part is perfect for her as the up-and-comer. The movie does quite a good job of covering what in novel form is some 640 pages. Of course the movie can't compete with the book in its detail, but it does nicely cover the story line and give each character a chance to shine, and it does manage to capture that "good companion" atmosphere by casting good character actors who are obviously having a good time making the film. All in all much fun and many musical stage numbers. The ones at the end of the film were even good enough to remind me of similar numbers in the movie "Funny Face". Don't miss this one if you have a chance.

Warner Baxter does a bang up job as the Arizona Kid. The facial and vocal characteristics are charming and spot on all the time. He portrays a criminal with a heart. And there is many a twist in this tale of love. The character actors that come in and out of scenes briefly are all great. There are some great location shots and an authentic stage coach that helps introduce our main character in the beginning and is a vital link to the outcome of the film. The scenes are varied and short, so the pace of the film is good, but enough time is taken in the scenes between the Arizona Kid and Virginia (Carole Lombard) to allow us to believe they are falling in love. Unfortunately, Carole Lombard's acting is at its worst in this film. Her lines are delivered as if she was staring in a grade school play. However, the film keeps up ones interest and Carole plays quite a different part than is her norm, so it is well worth a viewing.

This film started out slowly and I was expecting a real stinker. However, each and every story-line as it developed caught my interest and sympathy. Carole Lombard's part here is very small and she is perhaps the least interesting character of them all. I must admit, there may be something I'm missing because the excellent print that I viewed was 51 minutes long and the documentation says it should be 70 minutes in length. Jack Oakie's part as the announcer at the track was very smooth and entertaining. He brings a little comic relief. It was nice to see Sidney Blackmer from the Cary Grant movie "People will Talk" and an episode of "The Outer Limits" as Lombard's love interest. Each couple bets on a different horse in the race and I really was on edge to see who of the many likable characters would win. The innovative scene at the track where the camera is placed on a long boom which swings in and out at different locations in the stands and focuses on one couple at a time is interesting if not dizzying.