Box Company CEO Dan Brooks (Warner Baxter) has always been a horse trainer at heart and he begins to chafe under the dictatorial rule of a father in law captain of industry JL Higgins (Walter Connoly) who all but owns the town named after his family. Brooks latest equestrian project "Broadway Bill" entails neglecting the company and when JL puts his foot down, Brooks bolts with youngest daughter (Myrna Loy) in pursuit.
In a film that aches for staliion Gable we are given nag Baxter, looking haggard and worn. Warner is just not up to the energy and enthusiasm and minus the youth the role calls for, his scenes with the spry and vivacious Loy more paternal than romantic. When trying to wrangle or con others we get an abrasive condescending curmudgeon instead of a confident immature smart Alec who thinks he can enter his first race against the finest horse in the land and win.
DP Joe Walker contributes his usual array of outstanding soft focus compositions and close-ups, featuring many of director Frank Capra's stock supporting company at their best. The editing is up to screwball pace and features an outstandingly cut race scene but Warren's old gray mare performance along with an insipid "Capra Corn" ending leaves Broadway Bill out of the money back in the pack.
In a film that aches for staliion Gable we are given nag Baxter, looking haggard and worn. Warner is just not up to the energy and enthusiasm and minus the youth the role calls for, his scenes with the spry and vivacious Loy more paternal than romantic. When trying to wrangle or con others we get an abrasive condescending curmudgeon instead of a confident immature smart Alec who thinks he can enter his first race against the finest horse in the land and win.
DP Joe Walker contributes his usual array of outstanding soft focus compositions and close-ups, featuring many of director Frank Capra's stock supporting company at their best. The editing is up to screwball pace and features an outstandingly cut race scene but Warren's old gray mare performance along with an insipid "Capra Corn" ending leaves Broadway Bill out of the money back in the pack.