James Murray was once described by King Vidor as the most naturally gifted actor he had ever seen. From working as an extra to the lead role in MGM's "The Crowd" he gave an extraordinarily sensitive performance as John Sims who is eventually beaten by life. Historians have said he had the same dynamism as Spencer Tracy. That is probably why, even though Murray was battling alcoholism during the making of "Rose Marie" (1927), in 1933 he was still given the chance to make good. "High Gear" was his last chance - from his next picture on ("Central Airport") there were only bit parts or roles that any actor could play.
The maudlin story - dare devil racer (James Murray) accidentally causes the death of his mechanic and is left to look after his young son, is given a fresh look due to some innovative direction (well, innovative for Goldsmith Hollywood Pictures). Mark "High Gear" Sheridan (Murray) is in the race of his life but he hasn't got his mind on his job - it is off with his latest flame, hot shot reporter Anne (Joan Marsh), so he has a smash up and his mechanic is killed. He instantly takes charge of Jimmie (Jackie Searl, in a very winning performance, proving that child star "brats" could also play for sympathy), sending him off to military school which had been his father's dream. When Mark finally gets back in a racing car he realises he has lost his nerve and vows never to race again.
To keep Jimmie in the prestigious school he gets a job as a taxi driver and as luck would have it one of his fares wants to go to the military academy. In a novel twist he also visits Jimmie on the sly but surprisingly the secret does not get out and Jimmie gets to keep his dreams. Due to a disgruntled suitor of Anne's, Sheridan's come down gets into the papers, Jimmie runs away and stumbles into the middle of a taxi war but when Jimmie is hit by a flying object only Sheridan's quick but skillful driving gets him to the hospital in time.
Joan Marsh had been a Wampas Baby Star in 1931 but to me she always looked like a second string Barbara Pepper. Marion Sayers, Murray's real life wife, also had a bit as a telephone operator. Sayers, who had once been "Miss Florida" in a beauty contest, divorced him soon after this movie claiming he drank to excess (surely a big understatement)!!!
The maudlin story - dare devil racer (James Murray) accidentally causes the death of his mechanic and is left to look after his young son, is given a fresh look due to some innovative direction (well, innovative for Goldsmith Hollywood Pictures). Mark "High Gear" Sheridan (Murray) is in the race of his life but he hasn't got his mind on his job - it is off with his latest flame, hot shot reporter Anne (Joan Marsh), so he has a smash up and his mechanic is killed. He instantly takes charge of Jimmie (Jackie Searl, in a very winning performance, proving that child star "brats" could also play for sympathy), sending him off to military school which had been his father's dream. When Mark finally gets back in a racing car he realises he has lost his nerve and vows never to race again.
To keep Jimmie in the prestigious school he gets a job as a taxi driver and as luck would have it one of his fares wants to go to the military academy. In a novel twist he also visits Jimmie on the sly but surprisingly the secret does not get out and Jimmie gets to keep his dreams. Due to a disgruntled suitor of Anne's, Sheridan's come down gets into the papers, Jimmie runs away and stumbles into the middle of a taxi war but when Jimmie is hit by a flying object only Sheridan's quick but skillful driving gets him to the hospital in time.
Joan Marsh had been a Wampas Baby Star in 1931 but to me she always looked like a second string Barbara Pepper. Marion Sayers, Murray's real life wife, also had a bit as a telephone operator. Sayers, who had once been "Miss Florida" in a beauty contest, divorced him soon after this movie claiming he drank to excess (surely a big understatement)!!!