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Very well executed

Pretty Good

everything you have heard about this movie is true.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

I was very fortunate to DVR a pristine copy of this many years ago on TCM and I have watched it probably 30 times since.My dad made several auto trips across the US in the twenties and earlier. Though this was 1934, it provides me with a visual perspective on some of what he may have encountered before there was a national system of highways, or many paved roads for that matter.My enjoyment of this film comes mostly from the glimpses into early motoring. As a kid in the early fifties I made many a trip from California to Iowa with my folks on route 66. Motoring was not all that sophisticated even in the early fifties and that plays into it as well.This review/comment is not so much about the finer points of the movie as it is a statement on how enjoyable it is for me because of the time in which it was made.The fact that there is a great little drama playing out and lots of ventures into quirky personalities and side plots, is just icing on the cake.

That was how the cast of 'Seinfeld' described their show. But they were beaten to the punch in 1934 by Warner Bros. with the release of "Heat Lightning", a static and unfunny comedy/drama taken from the Broadway show of the same name.The beginning was the best part, with Edgar Kennedy and Jane Darwell as a bickering married couple. It made you think that the best was yet to come, but no. The rest of the film is loaded with unnecessary, awkward situations and with the actors seeming ill at ease and mouthing stilted and clumsy dialogue which often falls flat. I cannot believe George Abbott had a hand in the movie script and must have been credited since he wrote the play, because this script is poorly written and lacking humor in humorous situations.This was a shame because Warners had assembled a great cast but saddled them with a boring story which lacks action and energy. Ann Dvorak, an excellent actress, comes off as whiny and annoying and Ruth Donnelly could have sued the script writer, her comic lines were so prosaic. And a contributor mentioned 'Key Largo'?! There is no similarity at all. "Heat Lightning" ran only 44 performances on Broadway for a reason, and I'll bet it wasn't the depression. The four rating points are for the cast despite the fact they were mistreated.

... must have been filmed around Joshua Tree or Lone Pine.. unfortunately, no locations listed as of March 2010. Warner Brothers shortie... but TCM host Robert Osborne mentioned that the Catholic League wanted changes made, so I wonder if the original play was longer or even naughtier. Also loved seeing Frank McHugh & Aline MacMahon... McHugh was toned way down for this part...he's funnier and louder in some of his other roles; MacMahon was the big star of this one.... as one of the female mechanics (sisters) that run the gas station, they come REAL close to being lesbians, whether or not that was the intention... Jerry, her ex says: "you're right... you changed plenty!" and when Myra goes out with a guy, her sister Olga gives her hell when she gets back. When the folks in the car insist it'll take a "darn good man" to get the radiator cap off, Olga opens it, no problem. Fun, quick story, even if i'm not really sure what we learned.. I thought it had a lot in common with Key Largo, but lesser known actors in this one.

After reading several reviews that enjoyed the film, I almost did not write a comment.However, after reading the one comparing it to a poor man's Petrified Forest, I wanted to say that's just plain unfair.I, was not around for the New York Times drab review in 1934, like the previous reviewer, but I can form my own opinion. I really liked the movie. Aline McMahon, pulled off the difficult character of playing a woman mechanic/business owner, and Preston Foster played the crook on the lam quite believable for the situation he was in.I personally wish Ann Dvorak had more of a developed part, I always like her, but sadly hers was the least developed of the several interesting characters in the film. Obviously made on a small budget, it's just unfair to compare this to Petrified Forest. They are not the same film at all.