Frank Capra did not particularly like his film Broadway Bill. It's chief problem was that Warner Baxter did not like horses and it showed. He got to re-make it with a man who loved horses. Bing at the track was a natural fit.
One of the great subjects for Crosby jokes was sports. Bing's golf and his racehorses and after he bought a quarter interest in the Pittsburgh Pirates, baseball. For awhile Bing owned a percentage of DelMar race- track.
This story is sooooo right for Crosby, I only wish he'd made it with Capra back in 1935. Capra had Paramount buy the film from Columbia and then actually was able to hire just about the entire cast from Broadway Bill to repeat their scenes with Crosby and the other players who had since passed away. The only criticism I have is I wish he could have gotten Myrna Loy from MGM.
Good Van Heusen-Burke score. Sunshine Cake became one of Bing's million sellers, a great addition to his group of upbeat philosophical numbers. My favorite number however was his version of De Camptown Races, sung while walking Broadway Bill to the track for the big race, accompanied by a gang of kids.
This film is Capra casting at its best. My favorites are Raymond Walburn and William Demarest. Demarest is one of the few of the replacement cast since Lynne Overman had died the year before. Also watch for Oliver Hardy, he has a bit that is memorable.
