The Crowd Roars (1932)

Sports car racer becomes overprotective of his brother when he decides to become a racer as well.

Director:

Howard Hawks

Writers:

John Bright, Niven Busch (as Nevin Busch)

Stars:

James Cagney, Joan Blondell, Ann Dvorak

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
James Cagney	...	Joe Greer
Joan Blondell	...	Anne Scott
Ann Dvorak	...	Lee Merrick
Eric Linden	...	Edward 'Eddie' Greer
Guy Kibbee	...	Pop Greer
Frank McHugh	...	Spud Connors
Billy Arnold	...	Billy Arnold
Leo Nomis	...	Jim
Fred Frame	...	Fred Frame
Ralph Hepburn	...	Ralph Hepburn
Wilbur Shaw	...	Wilbur Shaw
Shorty Cantlon	...	Shorty Cantlon
Mel Keneally	...	Mel Keneally
Stubby Stubblefield	...	Stubby Stubblefield

Storyline

Famous motor-racing champion Joe Greer returns to his hometown to compete in a local race. He discovers his younger brother has aspirations to become a racing champion and during the race Joe loses his nerve when another driver his killed, leaving his brother to win. Joe's luck takes a plunge while his brother rises to height of fame.

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Plot Keywords:

speed | indianapolis 500 | automobile racing | car accident | indianapolis indiana | 

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Taglines:

-Ablaze with excitement-Heart pounding romance Women never Forget!

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Sport

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

The principal driver for the racing scenes was Indianapolis 500 veteran Harry Hartz. He entered the race each year from 1922-27, finishing second three times and fourth twice during that six-year span. He appears as himself in the film as well.

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Goofs

A Santa Fe Railroad car is being shown unloading in Indianapolis, Indiana. That railroad only operated as far east as Chicago, Illinois.

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Quotes

Anne Scott: Well, I'd hate to admit that what I know about men, I learned from you. I've had my share and I'm not quotin' any books. You can take those hard drinkin', hard ridin' men and put them not into an automobile; but, into a truck and shove them over a cliff, as far as I'm concerned. And that guy of yours thinks cause he's ridin' in a one-seater, he's ridin' alone. He doesn't know that you're covering every lap of every race with him.

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Connections

Spoofed in The Crowd Snores (1932)

User Reviews

It's best to stick with the original

Jimmy Cagney plays a race car driver who's at the top of his game. When he returns home to visit family, he's shocked to find that his much younger brother has also taken up racing. Despite Jimmy loving his work, he knows it's dangerous and wants better for his kid brother. This sets the stage for a major falling out between them and eventually the young whippersnapper actually surpasses Cagney--leading to a dandy conclusion.

This is a very good, though not especially great film by Jimmy Cagney towards the beginning of his career. The acting, writing and direction are competent. However, just seven years later, the studio remade this movie--practically word-for-word in places and even using some of the same auto racing footage!!! Considering that the remake wasn't quite as good, lacked originality and lacked Cagney, I say it's best to stick with the original.

By the way, remaking movies--often using pretty much the original script--was a common practice in the 1930s--especially at Warner Brothers. Again and again, films were recycled--sometimes only a couple years later!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 April 1932 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Roar of the Crowd

Filming Locations:

Nutley Velodrome, Nutley, New Jersey, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min 70 min (TCM Print)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1