Phillips Holmes, when everything was going right (good screenplay, good director etc) was able to give sensitive, insightful performances but he couldn't do it on his own. When the film was not good he couldn't seem to rise above it and his performances were shallow and one dimensional as he found out when he signed with MGM. They didn't really care enough about him to foster his talent so by "Stage Mother" (1933) his billing was prominent but his role was scarcely more than a bit. "70,000 Witnesses" was his last film under his Paramount contract and was a pretty involved story but at least Paramount had tried with him. College movies had a long vogue - and this film looked at the world of college football with a different twist!! Just love Charlie Ruggles, love his chortling laugh and the fact that he sounds as though he would have been just as jolly in real life!!! He makes his appearance as Moran, a sports broadcaster, who is trying to convince old pal (David Landau), an ex-FBI man that football is one sport that is completely on the level!!!
Apart from the fact that he looks nothing like a footballer, Phillips Holmes gives a terrific performance as Buck Buchanan, one of the shining stars of the State Football team. His best friend is Clark (John Mack Brown) star quarter back and he is "almost" engaged to Dorothy, Clark's sister (Dorothy Jordan is her usual sweet, charming Southern self), although he is hesitant to tell her of his family background. That's because he has something to hide - like his brother (Lew Cody) who is the head of a syndicate organization but he is forced to confront his past when big brother wants a big favour. Buck is asked to keep Clark out of Saturday's big game so the other team (University) can win. Holmes gives everything to his role - even though he returns to the dormitory with a powerful sedative he has no intention of giving it to Clark but in the end it doesn't matter because by the game's end Clark is dead and suspicion is pointing to Buck!!!
This is a well made movie very evenly paced - Ruggles is funny and doesn't wear out his welcome. It's nice to see David Landau playing a regular, decent guy instead of Mr. Nasty!! For keen viewers of early thirties movies, it's not hard to figure out who the villain is. Holmes is ruled out pretty quickly - he is so earnest to find the real killer and falls in with the detective's determination to replay the game!! Even Lew Cody is shocked - sure, he wanted the likable Clark out of the game but to resort to foul play - Never!!!
Highly Recommended.
Apart from the fact that he looks nothing like a footballer, Phillips Holmes gives a terrific performance as Buck Buchanan, one of the shining stars of the State Football team. His best friend is Clark (John Mack Brown) star quarter back and he is "almost" engaged to Dorothy, Clark's sister (Dorothy Jordan is her usual sweet, charming Southern self), although he is hesitant to tell her of his family background. That's because he has something to hide - like his brother (Lew Cody) who is the head of a syndicate organization but he is forced to confront his past when big brother wants a big favour. Buck is asked to keep Clark out of Saturday's big game so the other team (University) can win. Holmes gives everything to his role - even though he returns to the dormitory with a powerful sedative he has no intention of giving it to Clark but in the end it doesn't matter because by the game's end Clark is dead and suspicion is pointing to Buck!!!
This is a well made movie very evenly paced - Ruggles is funny and doesn't wear out his welcome. It's nice to see David Landau playing a regular, decent guy instead of Mr. Nasty!! For keen viewers of early thirties movies, it's not hard to figure out who the villain is. Holmes is ruled out pretty quickly - he is so earnest to find the real killer and falls in with the detective's determination to replay the game!! Even Lew Cody is shocked - sure, he wanted the likable Clark out of the game but to resort to foul play - Never!!!
Highly Recommended.