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4.9/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 4.9/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Maker of Men remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Alright, so Maker of Men. You're probably not rushing out to find a 1934 football movie, but if you're into those classic sports dramas, especially ones with a good old-fashioned family spat, this one's got some charm. It’s definitely for folks who appreciate film history and don’t mind a slower pace. If you need explosions or lightning-fast action, you’ll probably find yourself checking your watch pretty often. Think of it as a quiet afternoon kind of film. 🕰️
The core of it is Bob, a college football player who just isn't very good. His dad, Coach Dudley, is a hard man. Like, really hard. He practically disowns Bob for fumbling a play, which feels a bit much, even for a coach. But that's the whole point, I guess.
It’s interesting how his girlfriend, Dorothy, also kinda gives him the cold shoulder when he's down. You'd think she'd be more supportive, but nope. The whole school just seems to write him off.
So, Bob does what any self-respecting, rejected son in a 1930s movie would do: he joins the rival team. The irony isn't lost on anyone, especially his dad. This sets up the whole central conflict, which is pretty straightforward.
The football scenes themselves are a trip. Don't expect modern cinematography or bone-crunching hits. It's more like a bunch of guys running around in slow motion, sometimes falling over. But hey, it's 1934! You can still feel the *intensity* they're trying to convey, even if the actual plays look a bit choreographed.
There's this moment where Bob, after getting sacked, just lies there. The camera holds on him for a beat too long. You almost feel the director saying, "See how sad he is?" It’s not subtle.
And then there's the cast. You’ve got Jack Holt playing Coach Dudley, and he just radiates 'stern authority' with every line. Richard Cromwell as Bob does a decent job of looking forlorn and then determined. But here's a fun bit: John Wayne is in this! He's a very young, uncredited player. Blink and you might miss him, but it's a cool little nod to how far back his career goes. He's just another face in the locker room, really.
The locker room scenes have a real old-timey feel, lots of shouting and tough talk. Some of it comes off a little forced, like everyone's trying really hard to sound like a gruff coach or a tough player. One line about 'making men' out of these boys feels pretty heavy-handed by today's standards.
When Bob's on the rival team, he suddenly gets good. Like, *really* good. It’s a bit of a convenient plot point, but you roll with it. The movie needs him to be a threat to his dad's team, after all. The buildup to the big game is pretty standard, but it works.
There's a lot of emotional gesturing throughout. People throw their hands up a lot. Or clench their fists. It’s very much a product of its time in terms of acting style. Everything is a bit amplified.
The ending, as you might expect, brings everything to a head on the field. Without giving too much away, it’s all about redemption and proving oneself. The kind of thing that probably had audiences cheering back then.
It's not a masterpiece, but it's a solid, if predictable, old sports drama. If you’re a film buff, or just curious about what early football movies looked like, it’s worth a peek. It's got heart, even if it wears it on its sleeve a bit too much.
IMDb 6.9
1926
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