Broadway Bill

Sandwiched between two of Frank Capra's classic movies—It Happened One Night (1934) and Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936)—this likable horse-racing flick, about a man who ditches a directorship at one of his rich father-in-law's companies in order to manage the titular nag, has received relatively little attention among the director's films (a neglect exacerbated by the fact that Capra took it out of circulation when he made a musical version of it, Riding High, with Bing Crosby in 1950). Broadway Bill (1934)—which looks sharp on this release—is an amiable comedy featuring some of Capra's usual digs at upper-class pretension, although it is hardly the equal of the two films that bookend it. Warner Baxter is solid (but no Clark Gable or Gary Cooper) as the erstwhile executive who gives up a cushy life to follow his dream, while Myrna Loy sparkles as the rebellious sister-in-law who joins his quixotic adventure. Robert Riskin's script incorporates plenty of funny lines and juicy parts for some of the ‘30s best supporting comic players, including Margaret Hamilton in a virtual cameo, and while the ending is awash in sentiment, even here Capra shows his mastery at presenting wispy material with such panache that it becomes well-nigh irresistible. Part of the Warner manufacture-on-demand Archive Collection, this is recommended. (F. Swietek)