The Dark Horse (1932)
Hilarity is just around the corner, in this screaming burlesque on the political parade! You'll Vote For Every Star!
75 min
The Progressive Party convention is deadlocked for governor, so both sides nominate the dark horse Zachary Hicks. Kay Russell suggests they hire Hal Blake as campaign manager; but first they have to get him out of jail for not paying alimony. Blake organizes the office and coaches Hicks to answer every question by pausing and then saying, "Well yes, but then again no." Blake will sell Hicks as dumb but honest. Russell refuses to marry Blake, while Joe keeps people away from Blake's office. Blake teaches Hicks a speech by Lincoln. At the debate when the conservative candidate Underwood recites the same speech, Blake exposes him as a plagiarist. Hicks is presented for photo opportunities and gives his yes-and-no answer to any question, including whether he expects to win.
- Release date
- June 16, 1932
- Country of origin
- United States
Where to watch
No streaming options in United States for now. Pick another country.
Cast
- Bette Davis as Kay Russell
- Warren William as Hal Samson Blake
- Guy Kibbee as Zachary Hicks
- Vivienne Osborne as Maybelle Blake, Hal's ex-wife
- Frank McHugh as Joe
- Sam Hardy as Mr. Black
- Harry Holman as Mr. Jones
- Charles Sellon as Mr. Green
- Robert Emmett O'Connor as Sheriff
- Berton Churchill as William A. Underwood
- Robert Warwick as Mr. Clark
- Louise Beavers as Kay's Maid Levinnia
- Harry C. Bradley as Blue Ribbon Man
- Harrison Greene as Delegate Next to Hicks
- Wilfred Lucas as Debate Chairman
- Wilbur Mack as Conservative Party Man
- Tom McGuire as Conservative Party Man
- Bert Moorhouse as Reporter
- Edmund Mortimer as Convention Delegate
- Henry Otho as Delegate Spreading the Word
- Paul Panzer as Delegate Telephoning
- Cyril Ring as Airport Clerk
- Cliff Saum as Progressive Party Man
- Harry Seymour as Conservative Party Man
- Charles Sherlock as Progressive Party Man
- Phil Tead as Bellhop
- Jim Thorpe as Blackfeet Indian Chief
- Monte Vandergrift as Delegate
Crew
- Alfred E. Green · Director
- Joseph Jackson · Writer
- Wilson Mizner · Writer
- Darryl F. Zanuck · Writer
- Sol Polito · Cinematographer
- George Marks · Editor