"Down the Stretch” Is Racetrack Thriller

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 4, 6 January 1937, Page 5

"Down the Stretch” Is Racetrack Thriller

MICKEY ROONEY AND PATRICIA ELLIS LEADING PLAYERS (Mayfair: Screening To-day.) In one of the most thrilling pictures of horse racing ever filmed, “Down the Stretch,” a first national production. Mickey Rooney, Patricia Ellis, Dennis Moore and William Best have the leading roles. Though the races represent the running of the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Handicap, the Arlington (Jlassic and the Gold Cup at Ascot, iu England, the scenes actually wero filmed at the famous Santa Anita track in California and at the training stables and track at Encino, with all the warmth, colour and excitement of the real races found in the scenes. Mickey Rooney, who made such a hit as Puck in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and in many other films, has the principal role,that of a jockey whom no one will engage because of his father, a famous jockey, who was disbarred for throwing a race. He is given an opportunity by a woman owner of a famous Kentucky stable. He finally makes good, winning the Derby and many other races, and winning them w'ith a horse that had wings on its feet, but a mean streak in its heart, like its sire—a horse that but one jockey could handle. Mickey proves to be a brilliant rider as well as an accomplished actor. This fifteeu

year old boy gives a finished performance in a role that would task a far more experienced actor. Patricia Ellis has the role of the owner of the stables for which Mickey rides. Whe picks him up in th© night court, after recognising him, and persuading the judge to turn him over to her instead of sending him to a reformatory for vagrancy. Miss Ellis, trained on both stage and screen, shows moro finesse and poise in her work than many an older actress, and gives a fine performance throughout. Dennis Moore, who makes his picture bow in this film, plays opposite Miss as her husband. He is a handsome and athletic youth, and his work is excellent. William Best, negro stable boy for Mickey, adds no inconsiderable amount of comedy to the thrills of the picture. Others in the cast deserving special mention ar© Gordon Hart, Gordon j Elliott, Virginia Brissac, Charles Wilson, Joseph Crehan and Mary Treen.