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IMDbPro

The Dark Horse

  • 19321932
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 15m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
1.3K
YOUR RATING
Bette Davis and Warren William in The Dark Horse (1932)
  • Comedy
Jailbird is hired to lead a dimwitted candidate's campaign for governor.Jailbird is hired to lead a dimwitted candidate's campaign for governor.Jailbird is hired to lead a dimwitted candidate's campaign for governor.
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
1.3K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Alfred E. Green
  • Writers
    • Joseph Jackson
    • Wilson Mizner
    • Courtney Terrett(story)
  • Stars
    • Warren William
    • Bette Davis
    • Guy Kibbee
Top credits
  • Director
    • Alfred E. Green
  • Writers
    • Joseph Jackson
    • Wilson Mizner
    • Courtney Terrett(story)
  • Stars
    • Warren William
    • Bette Davis
    • Guy Kibbee
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 24User reviews
    • 14Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos12

    Harrison Greene and Guy Kibbee in The Dark Horse (1932)
    Vivienne Osborne and Warren William in The Dark Horse (1932)
    Warren William in The Dark Horse (1932)
    Bette Davis, Vivienne Osborne, and Warren William in The Dark Horse (1932)
    Bette Davis and Warren William in The Dark Horse (1932)
    Guy Kibbee, Frank McHugh, Vivienne Osborne, and Warren William in The Dark Horse (1932)
    Bette Davis, Guy Kibbee, and Warren William in The Dark Horse (1932)
    Bette Davis and Warren William in The Dark Horse (1932)
    Bette Davis and Warren William in The Dark Horse (1932)
    Bette Davis, Guy Kibbee, and Warren William in The Dark Horse (1932)
    Warren William in The Dark Horse (1932)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Warren William
    Warren William
    • Hal Samson Blake
    Bette Davis
    Bette Davis
    • Kay Russell
    Guy Kibbee
    Guy Kibbee
    • Zachary Hicks
    Vivienne Osborne
    Vivienne Osborne
    • Maybelle Blake, Hal's ex-wife
    Frank McHugh
    Frank McHugh
    • Joe
    Sam Hardy
    Sam Hardy
    • Mr. Black
    Harry Holman
    Harry Holman
    • Mr. Jones
    Charles Sellon
    Charles Sellon
    • Mr. Green
    Robert Emmett O'Connor
    Robert Emmett O'Connor
    • Sheriff
    • (as Robert E. O'Connor)
    Berton Churchill
    Berton Churchill
    • William A. Underwood
    Robert Warwick
    Robert Warwick
    • Mr. Clark
    Louise Beavers
    Louise Beavers
    • Levinnia, Kay's Maid
    • (uncredited)
    Harry C. Bradley
    Harry C. Bradley
    • Blue Ribbon Man
    • (uncredited)
    Edgar Dearing
    Edgar Dearing
    • Delegate
    • (uncredited)
    Harrison Greene
    • Delegate Next to Hicks
    • (uncredited)
    Otto Hoffman
    Otto Hoffman
    • Justice of the Peace
    • (uncredited)
    Harry Leroy
    • Delegate
    • (uncredited)
    Wilfred Lucas
    Wilfred Lucas
    • Debate Chairman
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Alfred E. Green
    • Writers
      • Joseph Jackson
      • Wilson Mizner
      • Courtney Terrett(story) (uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The Abraham Lincoln speech referred to in this movie wasn't a speech at all, but a published letter from Lincoln. It was his first announcement of running for political office. He was just 23 years old at the time and was a newcomer to Illinois - having moved there in 1830. He was running for a seat in the Illinois General Assembly. The letter was printed March 9, 1832, in the Sangamo Journal of Springfield, IL. The letter is lengthy and describes Lincoln's views on public improvements, navigation of the Sangamon River, and education.

      The words, supposedly plagiarized in this movie from a Lincoln speech, were at the end of the last paragraph in his long letter. They read, "I am young and unknown to many of you. I was born and have ever remained in the most humble walks of life. I have no wealthy or popular relations to recommend me. My case is thrown exclusively upon the independent voters of this county, and if elected they will have conferred a favor upon me, for which I shall be unremitting in my labors to compensate. But if the good people in their wisdom shall see fit to keep me in the back ground, I have been too familiar with disappointments to be very much chagrined." The letter was signed, "Your friend and fellow-citizen, A. Lincoln, New Salem, March 9, 1832.
    • Goofs
      When Kay (Bette Davis) brings back the $400 to Maybelle, she returns to her office. Hal tries to enter her office but can't because the door is locked. The locking handle is on Hal's side of the door.
    • Quotes

      Hal Samson Blake: He's the dumbest human being I ever saw. Every time he opens his mouth he subtracts from the sum total of human knowledge.

    • Connections
      Featured in Hollywood and the Stars: The Angry Screen (1964)
    • Soundtracks
      For He's a Jolly Good Fellow
      (uncredited)

      Traditional

      Played at the convention

    User reviews24

    Review
    Top review
    Strong Comedy with a Terrific Cast
    The Dark Horse (1932)

    *** (out of 4)

    The dimwitted Zachary Hicks (Guy Kibbee) gets nominated for governor through a complete mistake but since he's such a long horse his secretary (Bette Davis) suggests that they hire political spinner Hal Blake (Warren William) to try and help them win the election. THE DARK HORSE is a Warner comedy at its very best as we get a fun story, some pre-code moments and of course there's the terrific cast that really seals the deal. The majority of the credit has to go to the terrific cast, all of which deliver perfect performances. William has no trouble playing the fast-talking spinner who constantly has to be on his toes try to cover and make people like this idiot. Kibbee can play dumb like no other and he does it in a charming way. I think most actors would have been annoying playing a character as dumb as this one but Kibbee manages to make the character very charming and fun. Davis is basically reduced to a supporting role but it's fun getting to see her at this early point in her career and she has a nice chemistry with William. Vivienne Osborne is perfect as Blake's ex-wife who is a complete snake that you love to hate. Frank McHugh plays his typical comic relief role and does a nice job with it. I think the film works best when it's making fun of politics. The last portion of the film finds the ex-wife working for the other party to set up Kibbee and I think some of this was a bit too far fetched to be entertaining. Still, the terrific cast and amount of laughs make this a must see for fans of this era.
    helpful•5
    0
    • Michael_Elliott
    • Aug 19, 2012

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 16, 1932 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • El corcel negro
    • Filming locations
      • Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA
    • Production company
      • First National Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 15 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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