In The Big Wheel, Mickey Rooney plays a racecar driver who juggles his personal and professional troubles. Unless you're a die-hard Mickey fan, you might not like this one, since it's a pretty simple story and not particularly compelling. There are a couple of funny one-liners included in Robert Smith's script, and a supporting cast that helps make the movie more interesting. "He looks like Gary Cooper, James Mason, and Charles Boyer all rolled into one!" Mary Hatcher gushes before her first date with Mickey. "Uh-huh, and what does he look like when you unroll him?" Hattie McDaniel quips, seeing the young love through realistic eyes.
In another funny scene, while trying to get a good table to see his nightclub singer girlfriend, Mickey tries to bribe the headwaiter by telling him his name is Alexander Hamilton. "I don't have a Hamilton here," the waiter says as he looks as the reservation list, but Mickey whips out his wallet and says, "I have a Hamilton here." Ironically, the most memorable parts of the movie don't have anything to do with the racetrack. With Thomas Mitchell in a romantic role, and Spring Byington as someone not ridiculously vapid, it makes for a nice change.
In another funny scene, while trying to get a good table to see his nightclub singer girlfriend, Mickey tries to bribe the headwaiter by telling him his name is Alexander Hamilton. "I don't have a Hamilton here," the waiter says as he looks as the reservation list, but Mickey whips out his wallet and says, "I have a Hamilton here." Ironically, the most memorable parts of the movie don't have anything to do with the racetrack. With Thomas Mitchell in a romantic role, and Spring Byington as someone not ridiculously vapid, it makes for a nice change.