The Big Wheel

1949
Approved
1h 32m

IMDb RATING

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Jack Nicholson, Mickey Rooney, and John Ireland in The Big Wheel (1949)

A brash young midget car race driver lives in the shadow of his famous father, a drunken womanizer, who was killed in an accident years earlier.A brash young midget car race driver lives in the shadow of his famous father, a drunken womanizer, who was killed in an accident years earlier.A brash young midget car race driver lives in the shadow of his famous father, a drunken womanizer, who was killed in an accident years earlier.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

5.6/10

673

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Photos16

+ 9

Top cast28

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Mickey Rooney

Billy Coy

Thomas Mitchell

Red Stanley

Michael O'Shea

Vic Sullivan

Mary Hatcher

Lou Riley

Spring Byington

Mary Coy

Steve Brodie

Happy Lee

Lina Romay

Dolores Raymond

Hattie McDaniel

Minnie
(as Hattie McDaniels)

Allen Jenkins

George

Monte Blue

Deacon Jones

Richard Lane

Reno Riley
(as Dick Lane)

Eddie Kane

Head Waiter

Charles Irwin

Drunk

Kippee Valez

Carla

Denver Pyle

Doctor

George Fisher

Announcer

Jackson King

Announcer
(as Jack Colin)

Mike Donovan

Indy 500 Spectator
(uncredited)

Director
- Edward Ludwig
Writer
- Robert Smith
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
In the 33rd running of the Indianapolis 500 in 1949, Wilbur Shaw, the President of the Speedway, actually did drive the pace car, as the movie announcer had noted.

Goofs
Early in the film, Billy crashes his car. A radio announcer is giving a play-by-play description of his rescue. A man and a woman listening to the radio smile and show relief - before the announcer says that Billy has been pulled from the wreckage unhurt.

Quotes
Red Stanley: The way I figure it, another thousand dollars and she'll be ready for Indianapolis.
Reno Riley: I wouldn't give you another buck and a half.
Red Stanley: But Reno, this is the fastest iron in the business!
Reno Riley: How many years have you been takin' this pile of junk to the race, Red? Six? Seven?
Red Stanley: Eight.
Reno Riley: And you never even qualified.

Crazy credits
The film opens with the following written acknowledgements: "Grateful acknowledgement for their invaluable assistance is made to the AAA, the URA, the Racing Drivers of America, the Indianapolis Speedway and Mr. Wilbur Shaw."

Connections
Edited into Your Afternoon Movie: Big Wheel (2023)

Soundtracks
Que Bueno
Written by Kermit Goell and Fred Spielman
Sung by Lina Romay (uncredited) at nightclub

User reviews22

Review

Featured review

5/10

If it feels like you've seen this before, you probably have....or at least a film very much like it.

"The Big Wheel" is not a bad movie. However, the plot is very, very familiar and although I hadn't seen this movie before, it sure felt that way as MANY films made during the 1930s, 40s and 50s had similar themes. So the film certainly won't get any kudos from me for originality. But, it is moderately engaging and isn't a bad time-passer.

Mickey Rooney plays Billy Coy--the son of a very famous race car driver that was killed years ago at the Indy 500. He's intent on following in his father's footsteps--well, as least as far as being a racing champ! But he's a bit too cocky and young and folks around him think that he's a bit too eager. However, it turns out he is very talented and has what it takes to win--provided he doesn't sabotage himself. In addition, his father's old pal (Thomas Mitchell) is intent on wooing the widow Coy (Spring Byington). What's to happen? See the film...or not.

Rooney and the rest of the cast were just fine in this film. There were some other similar films before it and the plot about a guy who alienates everyone but eventually learns humility and makes good is possibly one of the oldest clichés in films! Fortunately, the racing sequences are competently made and the film has enough going for it that you won't hate it. Not exactly a glowing endorsement, huh?