Charles Bickford plays a muscular canal worker who fights his way through a community who enjoy watching a fight. It's like being at school where pupils relish the prospect of watching a fight in the playground.
Henry Fonda makes his film debut in this Victor Fleming directed offering. He enters the scene as a passive farmer with no presence or personality. Janet Gaynor plays a charming cook with a half smile that Fonda falls for.
Andy Devine plays a supporting role as his usual self.
The tension between Bickford and Fonda doesn't ring true. They are not a match of equals, nor do you believe that Fonda would win a fight with Bickford. The film should have started with Bickford beating Fonda in a fight, and then the rest of the film having Fonda evolve into a man and a equal that can challenge and win a fight with Bickford. Fonda didn't prove himself in this film, and it was obviously a vehicle for him to be launched into Hollywood.
Henry Fonda makes his film debut in this Victor Fleming directed offering. He enters the scene as a passive farmer with no presence or personality. Janet Gaynor plays a charming cook with a half smile that Fonda falls for.
Andy Devine plays a supporting role as his usual self.
The tension between Bickford and Fonda doesn't ring true. They are not a match of equals, nor do you believe that Fonda would win a fight with Bickford. The film should have started with Bickford beating Fonda in a fight, and then the rest of the film having Fonda evolve into a man and a equal that can challenge and win a fight with Bickford. Fonda didn't prove himself in this film, and it was obviously a vehicle for him to be launched into Hollywood.