This story about preacher Russell Hayden trying to save his church from a $5,000 debt due immediately, "Buzz" Henry trying to save his horse by entering him in a trotting race, Pamela Blake as the meanest woman in town, who's in love with Russell Hayden.... well, there are an awful lot of moving parts in this sweet-natured movie produced by the Lippert organization -- not known for its classy productions -- and directed by B western specialist William Berke. It has has very little in its pedigree to make it look like it's going to work; the only major acting talent is Jean Parker. There is the usual wealth of nearly-forgotten talent on its rolls, including Jimmy Conlin, Raymond Hatton, Jonathan Hale, William Farnum, Elmo Lincoln, as well as Harry Carey Jr (the IMDb claims it's his first movie. His actual first movie was made in 1921. It was a Harry Carey Sr. movie directed by John Ford and Jr. was he about a month old when it was released). Yet, it works surprisingly well. Perhaps it's the religious aspect...
I will take some exception to the idea of entering a rodeo horse in a trotting race. They're very fastidious about horses maintaining a trotting pace, and given that the horse was the wrong breed for the race, and untrained for the purpose, and winds up being driven by a driver with no experience.... well, it's such a good-natured effort, that I don't mind. It simply goes to show that all these people who spent their life turning out cheap features for little money were actually good actors, directors, cameramen and editors.
I will take some exception to the idea of entering a rodeo horse in a trotting race. They're very fastidious about horses maintaining a trotting pace, and given that the horse was the wrong breed for the race, and untrained for the purpose, and winds up being driven by a driver with no experience.... well, it's such a good-natured effort, that I don't mind. It simply goes to show that all these people who spent their life turning out cheap features for little money were actually good actors, directors, cameramen and editors.