Heat Lightning
(1934)
63-64 mins | Drama | 3 March 1934
Director:
Mervyn LeRoyWriters:
Brown Holmes, Warren DuffCinematographer:
Sid HickoxEditor:
Howard BrethertonProduction Designer:
Jack OkeyProduction Company:
Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc.The character "George" is addressed as such by his partner, "Jeff," but "Olga" calls him "Jerry" throughout the film. Although the plot does not clarify this point, "George" was probably an alias that "Jerry" used. A news item in DV on 17 Nov 1933 notes that the film crew was on location in Vacaville, CA for two-and-a-half weeks. This film was on the Legion of Decency's first list of banned films, which was published in MPD on 14 May 1934. According to files in the MPAA/PCA Collection at the AMPAS Library, the Hays Office objected to the seductions that occur in the film because they were in violation of the Production Code, particularly the scene in which "George" leaves "Olga's" room in the morning and buttons his coat. The Office also objected to the underlined portion of the divorcée's line (in reference to the chauffeur): "Say, it's your turn to sit up in front with that old thigh-pincher." The film was remade by First National in 1941 as Highway West, starring Brenda Marshall and Arthur Kennedy and directed by William McGann. ...
The character "George" is addressed as such by his partner, "Jeff," but "Olga" calls him "Jerry" throughout the film. Although the plot does not clarify this point, "George" was probably an alias that "Jerry" used. A news item in DV on 17 Nov 1933 notes that the film crew was on location in Vacaville, CA for two-and-a-half weeks. This film was on the Legion of Decency's first list of banned films, which was published in MPD on 14 May 1934. According to files in the MPAA/PCA Collection at the AMPAS Library, the Hays Office objected to the seductions that occur in the film because they were in violation of the Production Code, particularly the scene in which "George" leaves "Olga's" room in the morning and buttons his coat. The Office also objected to the underlined portion of the divorcée's line (in reference to the chauffeur): "Say, it's your turn to sit up in front with that old thigh-pincher." The film was remade by First National in 1941 as Highway West, starring Brenda Marshall and Arthur Kennedy and directed by William McGann.
Two sisters, Olga and Myra, operate a combination gas station, lunchroom and tourist hotel in the California desert. Olga works as a mechanic and is jaded when it comes to men. Myra, her younger sister, is in love with a man named Steve Laird, whom Olga distrusts, as she believes that Steve will take advantage of Myra sexually. Despite her sister's warnings, Myra makes plans to meet Steve after dark. George and Jeff, two thieves on the run from a bank heist in Salt Lake City in which George killed two cashiers, stop at the station on their way to the Mexican border. Olga recognizes George as Jerry, the man she loved and walked out on when she was a beautiful cabaret dancer in Tulsa. When the sheriff passes through, George pretends to be an oilman and Olga says that he is an old friend. That evening, Mrs. Tifton, called "Feathers," and Mrs. Aston-Ashley, called "Tinkle," rich, divorced women who are laden with jewels, arrive with their chauffeur Frank on their way home from Reno. Hoping to steal the jewels, George and Jeff plan to spend the night. When Olga asks him to leave, George tells Olga he no longer wants her because she has let herself go. As heat lightning flashes in the distance, Olga transforms herself into a beautiful woman and says goodbye to George, who kisses her. While Olga is distracted, Myra sneaks out with Steve. The divorcées, meanwhile, have locked their jewels in Olga's safe to protect them from a friendly Mexican family who they fear are gypsies. At dawn, Steve brings Myra home after having taken advantage ...
Two sisters, Olga and Myra, operate a combination gas station, lunchroom and tourist hotel in the California desert. Olga works as a mechanic and is jaded when it comes to men. Myra, her younger sister, is in love with a man named Steve Laird, whom Olga distrusts, as she believes that Steve will take advantage of Myra sexually. Despite her sister's warnings, Myra makes plans to meet Steve after dark. George and Jeff, two thieves on the run from a bank heist in Salt Lake City in which George killed two cashiers, stop at the station on their way to the Mexican border. Olga recognizes George as Jerry, the man she loved and walked out on when she was a beautiful cabaret dancer in Tulsa. When the sheriff passes through, George pretends to be an oilman and Olga says that he is an old friend. That evening, Mrs. Tifton, called "Feathers," and Mrs. Aston-Ashley, called "Tinkle," rich, divorced women who are laden with jewels, arrive with their chauffeur Frank on their way home from Reno. Hoping to steal the jewels, George and Jeff plan to spend the night. When Olga asks him to leave, George tells Olga he no longer wants her because she has let herself go. As heat lightning flashes in the distance, Olga transforms herself into a beautiful woman and says goodbye to George, who kisses her. While Olga is distracted, Myra sneaks out with Steve. The divorcées, meanwhile, have locked their jewels in Olga's safe to protect them from a friendly Mexican family who they fear are gypsies. At dawn, Steve brings Myra home after having taken advantage of her. Myra then sees George leaving Olga's room and confesses to Olga that she was right about Steve, and the sisters hold each other. Olga then catches George and Jeff picking her safe and overhears George tell Jeff he slept with Olga so that Jeff could perform the robbery. Olga then shoots George, who is armed, and he apologizes as he dies in her arms. Olga lets Jeff get away, then explains the incident to her friend, Everett Marshall, who promises to take care of everything. Olga then returns to her emotionless life as a mechanic.
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