Thoroughbreds Don't Cry
(1937)
80 mins | Drama | 3 December 1937
Director:
Alfred E. GreenWriter:
Lawrence HazardProducer:
Harry RapfCinematographer:
Leonard SmithEditor:
Elmo VeronProduction Designer:
Cedric GibbonsProduction Company:
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corp.This was the first film in which Judy Garland received top billing and was the first of many in which she co-starred with Mickey Rooney. This was also the first M-G-M film for Ronald Sinclair, who changed his name from Ra Hould, by which he was billed in several films prior to his contract with M-G-M. One news item noted that M-G-M planned to change the boy's name to Ronnie St. Clair, but that name was apparently never used. A MPH news item on 31 Jul 1937 noted that Douglas Scott was to replace Freddie Bartholomew in the picture, however, later HR news item noted that Sinclair was to play the role. Bartholomew was involved in a contract dispute and lawsuit with M-G-M at the time. His suit was not settled until mid-October 1937, around the time this picture was completed. Although reviews list Harold Hough as assistant director, SAB lists Charles O'Malley as first assistant director. It is unclear which man was the man assistant director or if both served in different capacities. A news item in MPH in Aug 1937 announced that Lewis Stone and Edna May Oliver were to co-star with Rooney in the picture, however, Stone was replaced by C. Aubrey Smith and Oliver was replaced by Sophie Tucker. Portions of the film were shot on location at Santa Anita Racetrack in San Gabriel, CA. A news item in HR on 17 Mar 1938 reported that a sequel to this film was to be made entitled Thoroughbreds Together; none was made, however. ...
This was the first film in which Judy Garland received top billing and was the first of many in which she co-starred with Mickey Rooney. This was also the first M-G-M film for Ronald Sinclair, who changed his name from Ra Hould, by which he was billed in several films prior to his contract with M-G-M. One news item noted that M-G-M planned to change the boy's name to Ronnie St. Clair, but that name was apparently never used. A MPH news item on 31 Jul 1937 noted that Douglas Scott was to replace Freddie Bartholomew in the picture, however, later HR news item noted that Sinclair was to play the role. Bartholomew was involved in a contract dispute and lawsuit with M-G-M at the time. His suit was not settled until mid-October 1937, around the time this picture was completed. Although reviews list Harold Hough as assistant director, SAB lists Charles O'Malley as first assistant director. It is unclear which man was the man assistant director or if both served in different capacities. A news item in MPH in Aug 1937 announced that Lewis Stone and Edna May Oliver were to co-star with Rooney in the picture, however, Stone was replaced by C. Aubrey Smith and Oliver was replaced by Sophie Tucker. Portions of the film were shot on location at Santa Anita Racetrack in San Gabriel, CA. A news item in HR on 17 Mar 1938 reported that a sequel to this film was to be made entitled Thoroughbreds Together; none was made, however.
Sir Peter Calverton takes his horse "The Pookah" to California to run in the Santa Anita Cup race in the hope of winning enough money to save his financially strapped estate. His grandson Roger and their trainer Wilkins also go along and convince Sir Peter to hire jockey Timmie Donovan. Donovan, though a brilliant jockey, has a reputation for having a "swelled head." He lives at Mother Ralph's boardinghouse along with her niece, Cricket West, and several other jockeys. Timmie and Roger develop a strong friendship as they prepare for the race, and it is only at Roger's urging that Timmie goes to see his estranged father. "Click" Donovan abandoned Timmie as a boy, but now begs him to throw a pre-Cup race so that his friends can win enough to pay for his expensive medical bills. Timmie is reluctant, but finally agrees and throws the race. When The Pookah loses, Sir Peter has a heart attack and dies. Timmie is so remorseful that he disappears, but when he discovers that his father's "illness" is all a ruse, he takes some of the winnings to pay for The Pookah's entrace fees in the Cup race. Click meanwhile arranges for track officials to learn about Timmie's crime. Timmie admits his guilt, exonerating Sir Peter and Roger, but is banned from racing. With Mother Ralph's help, however, Roger is able to qualify and he rides The Pookah to victory. Now financially solvent, Timmie, Roger, Cricket, Wilkins and Mother Ralph are able to ride from racetrack to racetrack in ...
Sir Peter Calverton takes his horse "The Pookah" to California to run in the Santa Anita Cup race in the hope of winning enough money to save his financially strapped estate. His grandson Roger and their trainer Wilkins also go along and convince Sir Peter to hire jockey Timmie Donovan. Donovan, though a brilliant jockey, has a reputation for having a "swelled head." He lives at Mother Ralph's boardinghouse along with her niece, Cricket West, and several other jockeys. Timmie and Roger develop a strong friendship as they prepare for the race, and it is only at Roger's urging that Timmie goes to see his estranged father. "Click" Donovan abandoned Timmie as a boy, but now begs him to throw a pre-Cup race so that his friends can win enough to pay for his expensive medical bills. Timmie is reluctant, but finally agrees and throws the race. When The Pookah loses, Sir Peter has a heart attack and dies. Timmie is so remorseful that he disappears, but when he discovers that his father's "illness" is all a ruse, he takes some of the winnings to pay for The Pookah's entrace fees in the Cup race. Click meanwhile arranges for track officials to learn about Timmie's crime. Timmie admits his guilt, exonerating Sir Peter and Roger, but is banned from racing. With Mother Ralph's help, however, Roger is able to qualify and he rides The Pookah to victory. Now financially solvent, Timmie, Roger, Cricket, Wilkins and Mother Ralph are able to ride from racetrack to racetrack in comfort.
Viewed by AFI
Partially Viewed
Offscreen Credit
Name Occurs Before Title
AFI Life Achievement AwardTOP SEARCHES
CASABLANCA
During World War II, Casablanca, Morocco is a waiting point for throngs of desperate refugees fleeing Nazi-occupied Europe. Exit visas, which are necessary to leave the country, are at ... >>
CITIZEN KANE
Seventy-year-old newspaper tycoon Charles Foster Kane dies in his palatial Florida home, Xanadu, after uttering the single word “Rosebud.” While watching a newsreel summarizing the years during which Kane ... >>
REAR WINDOW
Laid up with a broken leg during the height of summer, renowned New York magazine photographer L. B. “Jeff” Jeffries enters his last week of home confinement, bored and ... >>
RAGING BULL
In 1941, at a boxing match in Cleveland, Ohio, pandemonium breaks out when Jake La Motta, an up-and-coming young boxer, loses a decision to Jimmy Reeves, suffering his first ... >>
CITY LIGHTS
At an outdoor dedication ceremony, a tramp is discovered sleeping in the arms of a statue as it is being unveiled before a crowd. He is chased into ... >>
