David Palmer, a young chemist, returns to his father's Indiana farm, to marry a local school teacher, Ruth Treadwell. David meets again his father's horse-trainer, Ben Lathrop, whose daughter, Cissy, has left high school to help her father. Palmer marries and becomes wealthy through an invention, and is able to indulge his socially-ambitious wife. His father dies and Palmer returns to Indiana, where his interest in harness-racing is rekindled, as is his interest in Cissy Lathrop.
Acting
Gail Russell's wistful glances that speak whole novels.
Production
Authentic harness-racing sequences with real trotting legends.
Director
Joseph M. Newman
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The real Dan Patch was a celebrity trotter who set world records in 1906; this film fictionalized his owner's life decades later.
Gail Russell's performance came during her struggles with studio pressure and alcoholism, adding unintended melancholy to Cissy's longing scenes.
US
