The Long Shot (1936)

Beautiful Martha Sharon watches helplessly as a disastrous string of bad luck at the track causes her uncle Henry to lose everything - his horses, his beloved farm and his fortune. Henry Sharon has been swindled by a crooked rival, Lew Ralston, who is paying Sharon's jockeys big money to throw their races. Martha joins forces with track veteran Jeff Clayton to train her "secret weapon," a thoroughbred that breaks speed records every time he runs. They manage to get their horse entered in the big race at Santa Anita, where Lew Ralston, believing he has a sure thing, is bound to bet his entire fortune on his own pony.

Character actor Gordon Jones gets a rare leading role and he makes the most of it, in this excellent but rarely seen racing saga. Jones had a busy career in supporting roles beginning in the 30s and continuing through the golden age of television, but is probably best remembered as Mike the Cop from the "Abbott and Costello Show". In The Long Shot Jones get strong support from beautiful young Marsha Hunt and veteran lovable old man Harry Davenport.

• drama