''Thoroughbreds Don't Cry'' is a 1937 American

musical comedy film Musical film is a film genre in which songs by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, but in some cases, they serve merely as breaks ...

directed by Alfred E. Green and starring Mickey Rooney and

Judy Garland Judy Garland (born Frances Ethel Gumm; June 10, 1922June 22, 1969) was an American actress and singer. While critically acclaimed for many different roles throughout her career, she is widely known for playing the part of Dorothy Gale in '' The ...

in their first film together.

Plot

Cricket West is a hopeful actress with a pair of vocal cords that bring down the house. Her eccentric aunt runs a boarding house for the local jockeys, whose leader is the cocky but highly skilled Timmie Donovan, famous for his daring come-from-behind wins in the stretch. Into their lives comes Sir Peter Calverton and his young grandson Roger Calverton, who are titled but cash poor with only one asset, a prize-winning stakes horse called The Pookah. Donovan's the best there is at his profession, but he is fatally compromised because his no-good gambler of a father, Charles D. Brown, pretending he is at death's door, extorts a pledge from Donovan to throw the prep race The Pookah is running in, in order to obtain cash for a "cure". Donovan does it but then is warned by the stewards that they're suspicious of his actions. When The Pookah lost the race, the stress was too much for Sir Peter, and he died of a heart attack. Roger hasn't the money to enter The Pookah in The Cup, and is planning to sell him. But Cricket tracks down Donovan he has an attack of conscience and snatches the entrance fee from his conniving father. Roger wins the American Cup and Donovan's father is arrested.

Cast

* Mickey Rooney as Timmie Donovan *

as Cricket West * Sophie Tucker as Mother Ralph *

C. Aubrey Smith Sir Charles Aubrey Smith (21 July 1863 – 20 December 1948) was an English Test cricketer who became a stage and film actor, acquiring a niche as the officer-and-gentleman type, as in the first sound version of ''The Prisoner of Zenda'' (1937) ...

as Sir Peter Calverton *

Ronald Sinclair Ronald Sinclair (21 January 1924 – 22 November 1992), born Richard Arthur Hould and sometimes credited as Ra Hould or Ron Sinclair, was a child actor from New Zealand, turned film editor. Early years Sinclair was the son of Arthur Hould and ...

as Roger Calverton *

Forrester Harvey Forrester Harvey (27 June 1884 – 14 December 1945) was an Irish film actor. From 1922 until his death year Harvey appeared in more than 115 films. He was credited for about two-thirds of his film appearances, but some of his roles were un ...

as Wilkins *

Charles D. Brown Charles D. Brown (July 1, 1887 – November 25, 1948) was an American stage and film actor. Born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Brown wrote and directed a single short film in 1914. As an actor, he appeared in more than 100 films, stretching fro ...

as 'Click' Donovan *

Frankie Darro Frankie Darro (born Frank Johnson, Jr.; December 22, 1917 – December 25, 1976) was an American actor and later in his career a stuntman. He began his career as a child actor in silent films, progressed to lead roles and co-starring roles ...

as 'Dink' Reid *

Henry Kolker Joseph Henry Kolker (November 13, 1874 ome sources 1870– July 15, 1947) was an American stage and film actor and director. Early years Kolker was born in Quincy, Illinois. Career Kolker, like fellow actors Richard Bennett and Robert Wa ...

as 'Doc' Godfrey * Helen Troy as Hilda * Francis X. Bushman as Racing Steward (uncredited) *

Robert Homans Robert Edward Homans (November 8, 1877 – July 28, 1947) was an American actor who entered films in 1923 after a lengthy stage career. Life and career Robert Homans was born November 8, 1877, in Malden, Massachusetts. Although he studied ...

as Police Officer Higgins (uncredited)

Production

Following the sensational audience reaction to Judy Garland singing "

You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want to Do It) "You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want to Do It)" is a popular song from 1913 composed by James V. Monaco with lyrics by Joseph McCarthy. It was introduced by Al Jolson in the Broadway revue ''The Honeymoon Express'' (1913), and used in the 197 ...

" to a picture of

Clark Gable William Clark Gable (February 1, 1901November 16, 1960) was an American film actor, often referred to as "The King of Hollywood". He had roles in more than 60 motion pictures in multiple genres during a career that lasted 37 years, three decades ...

in ''

Broadway Melody of 1938 ''Broadway Melody of 1938'' is a 1937 American musical film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and directed by Roy Del Ruth. The film is essentially a backstage musical revue, featuring high-budget sets and cinematography in the MGM musical trad ...

'' (1937), Garland was rushed into shooting two films back to back, this and the more musically elaborate ''

Everybody Sing ''Everybody, Sing!'' is a Philippine Musical film, musical game show created, developed, produced and distributed by ABS-CBN, ABS-CBN Entertainment It was hosted by Vice Ganda. The show aired for first season from June 5 to October 10, 2021, ...

'', which was held for later release in 1938. This was the first film to team Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland.

Arthur Freed Arthur Freed (September 9, 1894 – April 12, 1973) was an American lyricist and Hollywood film producer. He won the Academy Award for Best Picture twice, in 1951 for '' An American in Paris'' and in 1958 for '' Gigi''. Both films were musicals. ...

and

Nacio Herb Brown Ignacio Herbert "Nacio Herb" Brown (February 22, 1896 – September 28, 1964) was an American writer of popular songs, movie scores and Broadway theatre music in the 1920s through the early 1950s. Amongst his most enduring work is the scor ...

wrote two songs for Garland, but only one, "Got A Pair of New Shoes", made it into the final film. "Sun Showers" was also recorded by Garland, which still survives today."Sun Showers" (outtake from film) on YouTube
/ref> Ronald Sinclair substitutes for

Freddie Bartholomew Frederick Cecil Bartholomew (March 28, 1924 – January 23, 1992), known for his acting work as Freddie Bartholomew, was an English-American child actor. One of the most famous child actors of all time, he became very popular in 1930s Hollywoo ...

, for whom this role was originally intended, but whose voice had changed, according to accounts later told by Judy Garland. The chemistry between Mickey and Judy was readily apparent in this film and MGM would team them several more times until '' Words and Music'' in 1948. The film features a cameo appearance from

as Dink Reid.

Box office

According to MGM records the film earned $426,000 in the US and Canada and $305,000 elsewhere resulting in a loss of $29,000.

References

External links

* * * * {{Alfred E. Green 1937 films 1937 musical comedy films American musical comedy films American horse racing films Films directed by Alfred E. Green Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films Films produced by Harry Rapf American black-and-white films 1930s American films