IMDb RATING
6.7/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
Jailbird is hired to lead a dimwitted candidate's campaign for governor.Jailbird is hired to lead a dimwitted candidate's campaign for governor.Jailbird is hired to lead a dimwitted candidate's campaign for governor.
Robert Emmett O'Connor
- Sheriff
- (as Robert E. O'Connor)
Louise Beavers
- Levinnia, Kay's Maid
- (uncredited)
Harry C. Bradley
- Blue Ribbon Man
- (uncredited)
Edgar Dearing
- Delegate
- (uncredited)
Harrison Greene
- Delegate Next to Hicks
- (uncredited)
Otto Hoffman
- Justice of the Peace
- (uncredited)
Harry Leroy
- Delegate
- (uncredited)
Wilfred Lucas
- Debate Chairman
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe Abraham Lincoln speech referred to in this movie wasn't a speech at all, but a published letter from Lincoln. It was his first announcement of running for political office. He was just 23 years old at the time and was a newcomer to Illinois - having moved there in 1830. He was running for a seat in the Illinois General Assembly. The letter was printed March 9, 1832, in the Sangamo Journal of Springfield, IL. The letter is lengthy and describes Lincoln's views on public improvements, navigation of the Sangamon River, and education.
The words, supposedly plagiarized in this movie from a Lincoln speech, were at the end of the last paragraph in his long letter. They read, "I am young and unknown to many of you. I was born and have ever remained in the most humble walks of life. I have no wealthy or popular relations to recommend me. My case is thrown exclusively upon the independent voters of this county, and if elected they will have conferred a favor upon me, for which I shall be unremitting in my labors to compensate. But if the good people in their wisdom shall see fit to keep me in the back ground, I have been too familiar with disappointments to be very much chagrined." The letter was signed, "Your friend and fellow-citizen, A. Lincoln, New Salem, March 9, 1832.
- GoofsWhen Kay (Bette Davis) brings back the $400 to Maybelle, she returns to her office. Hal tries to enter her office but can't because the door is locked. The locking handle is on Hal's side of the door.
- Quotes
Hal Samson Blake: He's the dumbest human being I ever saw. Every time he opens his mouth he subtracts from the sum total of human knowledge.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Hollywood and the Stars: The Angry Screen (1964)
- SoundtracksFor He's a Jolly Good Fellow
(uncredited)
Traditional
Played at the convention
Featured review
Dark campaign
The idea for 'The Dark Horse' really intrigued and have always appreciated comedy, with the aim to appreciate all types of it. Alfred E. Green did do some good films in his career (a lot more to see though), a recently seen example being 1932's 'Baby Face'. The cast sounded promising too, the biggest name being an early career Bette Davis, and films made before the code with pre-code content leave one amazed when done well at how much is gotten away with.
After seeing it, 'The Dark Horse' is enjoyable and a lot works here (more good things than flaws), the cast far from wasted. It is also though not great, is a little uneven and doesn't follow its great idea all the way through. One of those films that starts off extremely well and for most of the length but primarily brought down by one subplot, a couple have already disagreed but do have to agree with the few that weren't crazy about it and felt it unneeded.
Will start with the many good things about 'The Dark Horse'. It is stylishly shot and opened up enough to avoid it from being too claustrophobic or stage-bound. Green directs with energy and also sensitivity. 'The Dark Horse' is massively advantaged by its intelligent and snappy script, which has dialogue that is quite bold for back then without feeling forced. The politics intrigue and don't come over heavy-handedly.
Story is for most of the length compelling with some tension with the campaign. The cast do a great job. Warren William really enjoys himself and Guy Kibbee does good-natured very likeably. Davis plays a fairly cliched role with snap and charm. Frank McHugh shines too.
Do agree, as aforementioned, however that the marital woes subplot is not near as interesting. Outside of the darkly witty poker game exchange and Vivienne Osbourne's suitably nasty performance, it lacks depth and doesn't gel with everything else, felt actually that the film had suddenly turned into a completely different one at that point.
Further thought that the ending felt shoehorned in.
Overall, very enjoyable on the whole but loses its way later on. 7/10
After seeing it, 'The Dark Horse' is enjoyable and a lot works here (more good things than flaws), the cast far from wasted. It is also though not great, is a little uneven and doesn't follow its great idea all the way through. One of those films that starts off extremely well and for most of the length but primarily brought down by one subplot, a couple have already disagreed but do have to agree with the few that weren't crazy about it and felt it unneeded.
Will start with the many good things about 'The Dark Horse'. It is stylishly shot and opened up enough to avoid it from being too claustrophobic or stage-bound. Green directs with energy and also sensitivity. 'The Dark Horse' is massively advantaged by its intelligent and snappy script, which has dialogue that is quite bold for back then without feeling forced. The politics intrigue and don't come over heavy-handedly.
Story is for most of the length compelling with some tension with the campaign. The cast do a great job. Warren William really enjoys himself and Guy Kibbee does good-natured very likeably. Davis plays a fairly cliched role with snap and charm. Frank McHugh shines too.
Do agree, as aforementioned, however that the marital woes subplot is not near as interesting. Outside of the darkly witty poker game exchange and Vivienne Osbourne's suitably nasty performance, it lacks depth and doesn't gel with everything else, felt actually that the film had suddenly turned into a completely different one at that point.
Further thought that the ending felt shoehorned in.
Overall, very enjoyable on the whole but loses its way later on. 7/10
- TheLittleSongbird
- Mar 15, 2020
- Permalink
Details
- Runtime1 hour 15 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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