Heat Lightning (1934)

In the Mohave Desert, Olga runs a gas station, lunch counter, and auto camp with her younger sister Myra. In a 24-hour period, Olga must deal with Myra's desire to go to a town dance with a... See full summary »

Director:

Mervyn LeRoy

Writers:

Leon Abrams (from the original play by), George Abbott (from the original play by),

Stars:

Aline MacMahon, Ann Dvorak, Preston Foster

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Aline MacMahon	...	Olga
Ann Dvorak	...	Myra
Preston Foster	...	George
Lyle Talbot	...	Jeff
Glenda Farrell	...	Mrs. Tifton
Frank McHugh	...	Frank
Ruth Donnelly	...	Mrs. Ashton-Ashley
Theodore Newton	...	Steve Laird
Willard Robertson	...	Everett Marshall
Harry C. Bradley	...	'Popsy' - a Businessman
James Durkin	...	The Sheriff
Jane Darwell	...	Gladys - the Wife
Edgar Kennedy	...	Herbert - the Husband
Muriel Evans	...	Blonde Cutie

Storyline

In the Mohave Desert, Olga runs a gas station, lunch counter, and auto camp with her younger sister Myra. In a 24-hour period, Olga must deal with Myra's desire to go to a town dance with a cad, the appearance by happenstance of George, an old boyfriend whose conduct is never above suspicion, and the overnight presence of two women recently divorced in Reno, who, with a chauffeur, are carrying valuable jewels. George gets wind of the jewels and plays with Olga's heartstrings to set up a robbery. Myra arranges to sneak off with her beau. It's hot, and the heat lightening is crackling on the horizon. Is Olga's life of peace and hard work in the desert about to change for the worse?

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Plot Keywords:

jewels | desert | auto camp | sister | robbery | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 March 1934 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

63 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Condemned by the Catholic Legion of Decency just before it changed its name to the National Legion of Decency in April, 1934.

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Quotes

George: Want another barbequed sandwich?
Jeff: I can hear the warden ask if I have any last words before they turn on the heat and you ask if I want another barbequed sandwich?

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Connections

Version of Highway West (1941)

User Reviews

Desert heat, strangers meet, violence flares -- granddaddy of the genre

This predecessor of The Petrified Forest (criminals on the lam change the lives of assorted characters at an isolated lunchroom) shows its origin as a Broadway play, but it's faster moving, less pretentious, and a lot less talky than the better known movie. The large cast is wonderful, especially the great Aline MacMahon; their characters well defined; and the direction and cinematography are crisp and professional. It's well worth the hour it takes to watch it.