Indianapolis Speedway *** (1939, Ann Sheridan, Pat O’Brien, John Payne) – Classic Movie Review 8913

Director Lloyd Bacon’s 1939 Warner Bros drama Indianapolis Speedway [Devil on Wheels] stars Pat O’Brien as Joe Greer, who wants his young brother Eddie (John Payne) to get on with his studies at college. Lee Mason (Gale Page) just wants Eddie at home with her, but he is happier as Joe’s racetrack rival and Eddie quits college for a racing career, infuriating Joe. But now the brothers are not just racetrack rivals, they are rivals for the hand of lovely bad girl Frankie Merrick (Ann Sheridan) too.

Warner Bros’ fairly exciting remake of their 1932 The Crowd Roars is only vintage speedway action drama business as usual, maybe. But it still holds the attention in its very old-fashioned sort of way, mainly thanks to the fine Warner cast and stalwart direction. And the antique yarn, originally by Howard Hawks, doesn’t fail.

Frank McHugh reprises his role of Spud Connors from the original and also Regis Toomey plays his same character of Dick Wilbur. Indianapolis Speedway even uses footage of McHugh from The Crowd Roars to save costs.

Also in the cast are Granville Bates, Grace Stafford, John Ridgley, John Harron, William B Davidson, Ed McWade, Irving Bacon, Tommy Bupp, Robert Middlemass, Charles Halton, Patsy O’Byrne and Creighton Hale.

Indianapolis Speedway is written by Sig Herzig and Wally Kline, based on a story by Howard Hawks. It was released by Warner Bros on 5 August 1939.

Indianapolis Speedway [Devil on Wheels] is directed by Lloyd Bacon, runs 82 minutes, is made and released by Warner Bros, is written by Sig Herzig and Wally Kline, based on a story by Howard Hawks, is shot in black and white by Sid Hickox, is produced by Hal B Wallis (executive producer), Jack L Warner (executive producer) and Max Siegel, is scored by Adolph Deutsch and designed by Esdras Hartley.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8913

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com