Sporting Blood

1931
Passed
1h 22m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Clark Gable and Madge Evans in Sporting Blood (1931)

The saga of thoroughbred Tommy Boy, born in a rain puddle, and his various owners as he evolves into a a champion stakes horse.The saga of thoroughbred Tommy Boy, born in a rain puddle, and his various owners as he evolves into a a champion stakes horse.The saga of thoroughbred Tommy Boy, born in a rain puddle, and his various owners as he evolves into a a champion stakes horse.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.0/10

384

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Photos42

+ 35

Top cast23

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Clark Gable

Warren 'Rid' Riddell

Ernest Torrence

Mr. Jim Rellence

Madge Evans

Miss 'Missy' Ruby

Lew Cody

Tip Scanlon

Marie Prevost

Angela 'Angie' Ludeking

Hallam Cooley

Bill Ludeking

J. Farrell MacDonald

MacGuire
(as J. Farrell McDonald)

John Larkin

Uncle Ben

Eugene Jackson

Sam 'Sammy'

Tommy Boy

Tommy Boy

Charles Curtis

Charles Curtis, Vice-President of the United States, at Kentucky Derby
(archive footage)

Sidney Bracey

The Tout
(uncredited)

Lynton Brent

Ticket Seller
(uncredited)

Edward Brophy

Newsreel Cameraman
(uncredited)

Richard Cramer

Charlie, a Gambling Mobster
(uncredited)

James Donlan

Jim, a Trainer
(uncredited)

Harry Holman

B.H. 'Jerry' Hartwick
(uncredited)

Tenen Holtz

Gus, Bald Gambling Mobster
(uncredited)

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The first feature film in which Clark Gable received top billing (even though he doesn't appear until almost halfway into the movie).

Goofs
When Southern Queen falls in the mud, a trip wire is clearly visible on the horse's hind leg.

Quotes
Preface: Since the beginning of Time the Horse has been Man's loyal friend... But Man has not always been the Friend the Horse has to Man...

Crazy credits
...to Man-O'-War, Zev, Crusader, Fair Play, Gallant Fox, Twenty-Grand and all the heroes of the turf and track, this record is reverently dedicated.

Connections
Featured in Clark Gable: Tall, Dark and Handsome (1996)

Soundtracks
My Old Kentucky Home, Good Night
(1853)
Written by Stephen Foster
In the score for the opening scene at Jim's horse farm
Reprised in the score when Tommy Boy leaves the farm
Reprised in the score when Tommy Boy returns to the farm
Reprised in the score at the end

User reviews17

Review

Featured review

8/10

A pleasant surprise

I recently caught this film on TCM during their celebration of Clark Gable as "Star of the Month" and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Good behind the scenes racing story, with the added attraction of a very young Clark Gable in his first top-billed role. Yes, the story is sentimental, but exceedingly well done, with excellent performances by all. But the best surprise of all is the treatment of the African American characters in the film. Considering the time period, all of the African Americans are treated as intelligent, thinking HUMAN beings, not as shuffling minstrel show caricatures. Why isn't this film better known? Catch it when you have the chance. Highly recommended!