When lion-tamer Barton MacLane loses a leg and his assistant to one of his big cats, he takes June Travis, the assistant's daughter, under his wing. She marries him out of gratitude, but all too soon she falls in love with Warren Hull. Everyone tries to do this decent thing, but....
Barton MacLane plays a role that would have gone to Lon Chaney at MGM or George Bancroft at Fox in their heydays. His big, burly, loud performance is just fine for the Bs, but despite some real acting chops, there was no place for him as a leading man, even in the Warner B movies. He retreated to supporting roles, like his turn in HIGH SIERRA and prospered for decades.
Although everyone gives their best, the obvious process shots and stunt doubles renders this a mediocre B picture. The big fire scene may hold some excitement, but by this point in the movie, all the obvious camera fakery had washed away any residuum of interest for me.
Barton MacLane plays a role that would have gone to Lon Chaney at MGM or George Bancroft at Fox in their heydays. His big, burly, loud performance is just fine for the Bs, but despite some real acting chops, there was no place for him as a leading man, even in the Warner B movies. He retreated to supporting roles, like his turn in HIGH SIERRA and prospered for decades.
Although everyone gives their best, the obvious process shots and stunt doubles renders this a mediocre B picture. The big fire scene may hold some excitement, but by this point in the movie, all the obvious camera fakery had washed away any residuum of interest for me.