Dark Hazard (1934)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Alfred E. Green

Writers:

W.R. Burnett (novel)
Ralph Block (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

3 February 1934 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Jim is a compulsive gambler. He meets Marge at a boarding house and they get married. His gambling causes problems...

Plot Keywords:

Boarding House | Dog | Gambling | Hotel | Dice Game

Cast

Edward G. Robinson	...	Jim 'Buck' Turner
Genevieve Tobin	...	Marge Mayhew Turner
Glenda Farrell	...	Valerie 'Val' Wilson
Robert Barrat	...	Tex Willis
Hobart Cavanaugh	...	George Mayhew
Gordon Westcott	...	Joe
Sidney Toler	...	John Bright
War Cry	...	Dark Hazard, a Greyhound Dog
Henry B. Walthall	...	Schultz
George Meeker	...	Pres Barrow
Emma Dunn	...	Mrs. Mayhew
Willard Robertson	...	Bill 'Billy' Fallen
William V. Mong	...	Plummer, Hotel Owner

Runtime:

73 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #2693-R, 22 September 1936 for re-release)

Company:

First National Pictures

Trivia:

Henry B. Walthall is listed in studio records playing Schultz in this movie, but he is not seen in the print.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Lady Killer (1933)

Soundtrack:

Honeymoon Hotel

Undeservedly obscure

Without good looks or commanding stature, Edward G. Robinson fashioned a long, impressive career out of sheer talent. Curiously enough, he was versatile where his limitations would seem to have worked against his being convincing in a wide variety of roles. During the 1930s, in particular, he often played an "off-center" character, a man with a fractured psyche who, despite good intentions and some sensitivity toward the feelings of others, was too emotionally flawed to find security or happiness.

Such a character was Jim Turner in this film, and, as usual, Robinson's skillful portrayal generates our sympathy for someone barely deserving of it. Too weak to abandon the seedy, sleazy world of small-time gambling, he loses - not once, but twice - the love and forgiveness of a devoted wife, capably played by Genevieve Tobin. Glenda Farrell, as a gold-digging good time gal, and Sidney Toler, playing a shady operator involved in "deals," are also effective.

The picture covers a considerable period of time in only 72 minutes, being composed of a multitude of short scenes. Good and bad: more extensive character motivation would have helped; but there is nary a dull moment.

Most people don't know that this picture exists. What a shame.