This film is from Puritan Pictures--not exactly a household name and the producers of ultra-low budget films. Seeing this film, I can understand why they never became a major player in Hollywood.
Eddie Nugent and Frank Coughlin, Jr. star in this film. As for Coughlin, he appeared in 130 films and TV shows and I best remember him as the wimpy young boy who became Captain Marvel in the serial "The Adventures of Captain Marvel".
The film begins with a bunch of black teens standing around singing and dancing. Then, a 'good black' tells these 'lady good for nothings' to cut it out and get to work! So much for a film that glowingly portrays blacks! However, at least it did give these young men a chance to appear in a film and get paid--plus they are quite good when you think about it--even though they are also one-dimensional racial stereotypes of the 'good old days in the Old South'!
A man comes to young Coughlin trying to get him to race in some sort of 'illegal track' under an assumed name (what this means, I don't know). He refuses, but since this is a bad B-movie, you are not at all surprised when 30 seconds later, Coughlin is told that his prize horse broke its leg--and his vow NEVER to race for such a track is out the window. However, the young man is cheated out of his winnings by the crook (wow, we didn't see that coming) and only seconds later a shot rings out and the crook is dead. The viewer clearly sees that Coughlin is NOT responsible but the authorities suspect him--and the evidence points to him. Now this next part makes no sense at all, Coughlin pleads guilty!!! His plan is to serve the two years under his assumed name--telling his loving family that he's riding in South America!! Does this make any sense? Well, in the bizarro world of this film, it does! And, Coughlin is sentenced to two years. What a dummy!
A year passes. A nosy reporter (Nugent) befriends the dumb Coughlin and pushes the Governor to commute his sentence. Now, Coughlin can ride his family's pride and joy in the Kentucky Derby. BUT, the mean old Warden cancels all paroles--and the idiot decides to escape (even though he's only got 10 more months to serve). So, the reporter has a hunch and goes to see if he can find Coughlin--and the Warden deputizes him!! At this point you might wonder if the boy will make good and win the big race, but more likely you'll wonder if anyone even cares!
Overall, the film suffers in most every way. Too much stock footage, some bad acting, a TERRIBLE script (filled with horrible clichés, insane plot twists and terrible dialog) and characters who are flat and silly all sink this film to the level of a barely watchable film. The only thing that provides any interest is the twist involving the evil District Attorney. A few terrible scenes in the film will illustrate what I mean about the writing and direction. One is the hamburger scene--that is so dumb and poorly done you need to see it for yourself. Also a horse that features stock footage and no narration or music--just an announcement at the end as to which horse won. Dull, Dumb and Dim-witted--this film wins the Triple-Crown of movie badness!
Eddie Nugent and Frank Coughlin, Jr. star in this film. As for Coughlin, he appeared in 130 films and TV shows and I best remember him as the wimpy young boy who became Captain Marvel in the serial "The Adventures of Captain Marvel".
The film begins with a bunch of black teens standing around singing and dancing. Then, a 'good black' tells these 'lady good for nothings' to cut it out and get to work! So much for a film that glowingly portrays blacks! However, at least it did give these young men a chance to appear in a film and get paid--plus they are quite good when you think about it--even though they are also one-dimensional racial stereotypes of the 'good old days in the Old South'!
A man comes to young Coughlin trying to get him to race in some sort of 'illegal track' under an assumed name (what this means, I don't know). He refuses, but since this is a bad B-movie, you are not at all surprised when 30 seconds later, Coughlin is told that his prize horse broke its leg--and his vow NEVER to race for such a track is out the window. However, the young man is cheated out of his winnings by the crook (wow, we didn't see that coming) and only seconds later a shot rings out and the crook is dead. The viewer clearly sees that Coughlin is NOT responsible but the authorities suspect him--and the evidence points to him. Now this next part makes no sense at all, Coughlin pleads guilty!!! His plan is to serve the two years under his assumed name--telling his loving family that he's riding in South America!! Does this make any sense? Well, in the bizarro world of this film, it does! And, Coughlin is sentenced to two years. What a dummy!
A year passes. A nosy reporter (Nugent) befriends the dumb Coughlin and pushes the Governor to commute his sentence. Now, Coughlin can ride his family's pride and joy in the Kentucky Derby. BUT, the mean old Warden cancels all paroles--and the idiot decides to escape (even though he's only got 10 more months to serve). So, the reporter has a hunch and goes to see if he can find Coughlin--and the Warden deputizes him!! At this point you might wonder if the boy will make good and win the big race, but more likely you'll wonder if anyone even cares!
Overall, the film suffers in most every way. Too much stock footage, some bad acting, a TERRIBLE script (filled with horrible clichés, insane plot twists and terrible dialog) and characters who are flat and silly all sink this film to the level of a barely watchable film. The only thing that provides any interest is the twist involving the evil District Attorney. A few terrible scenes in the film will illustrate what I mean about the writing and direction. One is the hamburger scene--that is so dumb and poorly done you need to see it for yourself. Also a horse that features stock footage and no narration or music--just an announcement at the end as to which horse won. Dull, Dumb and Dim-witted--this film wins the Triple-Crown of movie badness!