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6/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Racing Luck remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly? Only if you’re a completist for 1930s poverty row cinema or you just really like horses. If you’re looking for high-stakes drama or tight pacing, look elsewhere. It’s one of those movies that exists mostly because a studio had some film stock and a few horses hanging around.
The story is exactly what you think it is. A good guy gets screwed by a bad guy, and then he spends an hour trying to prove he’s not a scumbag. There isn't much depth here, but it doesn't try to be anything it isn't.
The barn fire scene is… well, it’s a choice. It feels like they really wanted to dial up the intensity, but the flames look like they’re struggling to find something to burn. You can almost see the actors thinking about lunch while the 'disaster' unfolds.
I found myself comparing it to other lightweights like The Weakling. Both share that same specific feeling of 'let's get this shot done before the sun goes down.' There’s no fat on the bone, but that’s mostly because there’s barely any meat either.
There’s a moment where Dan Morgan is just wandering around looking concerned, and it drags on for a solid minute too long. You just want him to walk into the office and shout at the guy already. It’s not necessarily bad, just incredibly sleepy.
If you liked the vibe of The E-Flat Man, you might find a bit of charm in this, but it’s a stretch. It’s a very specific kind of 1930s filler. Not great, not terrible, just there. Like a piece of furniture you don't remember buying.
I caught myself checking my watch during the middle act. That’s never a good sign. Still, the black and white photography has that grainy, dusty charm that keeps you from turning it off completely. It’s an easy watch if you’re doing laundry or something equally mindless.