Dark Hazard
Directed by Alfred E. Green
Written by Ralph Block and Brown Holmes from a novel by W.R. Burnett
1934/US
First National Pictures (Warner Bros.)
IMDb page
First viewing/Forbidden Hollywood Vol. 8
Valerie ‘Val’ Wilson: Oh, boy, oh, boy, what times we used to have. Say, Buck, remember that afternoon in Louisville when my nightgown caught on fire?
Joe: Yeah and I almost didn’t get it off ya in time. Remember that?
Fine cast cannot save lackluster gambling flick.
Jim ‘Buck’ Turner (Edward G. Robinson) is a professional gambler with a mixed track record. During a low point he marries Marge (Genevieve Tobin) and attempts to go straight. No such luck and soon Robinson has fallen in love with a greyhound named ‘Dark Hazard’, is playing footsie with old flame Val Wilson (Glenda Farrell), and is betting on dog races. He makes his fortune on the dogs and tries to return to Marge. But a fool and his money are soon parted as the old saying goes.
I’m counting this as a pre-Code movie since it is included in Forbidden Hollywood. It’s not too risque. It’s not too anything, really. Quite missable in my book despite the presence of Eddie Robinson who never gave a bad performance.
Tribute to Eddie G. – some great clips here
