When the story begins, Ricky (Douglas Fairbanks) is working for the bootlegger, Jim Dial (Alan Hale). Dial is a real piece of work and soon tries to have Ricky beaten and left for the police... because, essentially, Dial is a big jerk! But Ricky slips out of this trap. As for Dial, he then blackmails Ricky...telling him that he has a stolen ring and will give it to the police if Ricky doesn't continue working for him.
Several years pass. Ricky is no longer of any value to Dial now that Ricky has announced he's going to lead an honest life...so Dial turns Ricky over to the police and flees. However, Ricky once again slips away and then more years pass.
Ricky has never forgiven Dial...and you certainly can understand why. But instead of killing Dial, Ricky falls in love with Dial's fiancee! She agrees not to marry Dial but Ricky instead. But before the wedding, Dial kidnaps her and forces her to marry him...otherwise, he promises to kill Ricky. So, she goes through with the wedding.
Not surprisingly, Ricky isn't about to let her remain with Dial...who now has recreated himself as a decent philanthropist...Colonel Fane. So, on Dial's wedding night, he breaks in and draws a gun on him. Dial jumps Ricky, the two struggle and what happens next, well, is REALLY tough to believe...and most everything before this also was really tough to believe! What's next? See the film.
During the 1930s, many American studios set up local British subsidiaries. Why? Because the Brits had a law that a certain percentage of films shown in their theaters had to be domestically produced. "Jump for Glory" is one of these film--having been filmed at Warner Brothers' British studio. That is why two American actors, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Alan Hale star in this film.
So is it any good? Well, it's never, ever dull and offers a lot to like...provided you really don't think through the plot. This is because there are so many impossible to believe incidents in the film....one on top of another. So, try not to think this one through too much...just accept it for what it is, which is entertaining and exciting.
