Born Reckless
Born Reckless

Movie spotlight

Born Reckless

1937
Movie
59 min
English

Racketeer Jim Barnes is trying to force the independent taxicab-drivers to join his "protection service" at the cost of five bucks a day. Champion race-car driver, Bob Kane, joins with his friends Lee and "Dad" Martin in a fight for the street rights of a big city.

Insights

IMDb5.9/10
Director: Gus EdwardsGenres: Drama, Musical

Plot Summary

A young woman, the daughter of a ruthless slum landlord, is torn between her desire to escape her father's criminal empire and her love for a crusading reporter. She gets involved with a dangerous gangster, leading to a dramatic confrontation. The film explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the struggle for a better life against a backdrop of urban corruption.

Critical Reception

Born Reckless received mixed to negative reviews upon its release, with critics often citing its predictable plot and melodramatic tone. However, some appreciated its earnest performances and its attempt to tackle social issues, though often finding the execution lacking. The musical numbers were sometimes singled out as a high point, though they couldn't entirely salvage the film's overall impact.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film suffers from a weak and uninspired narrative.

  • Performances are generally adequate but fail to elevate the material.

  • The musical interludes offer some temporary relief from the heavy melodrama.

Google audience: Audience reception for Born Reckless is largely undocumented in readily available public records. However, based on critical reception and its status as a less prominent film from the era, it's likely that audience opinions mirrored the general sentiment of it being a forgettable, if not entirely unwatchable, B-movie.

Fun Fact

The film is notable for featuring one of the few on-screen appearances by Gus Edwards, a vaudeville performer and composer who was instrumental in launching the careers of many child stars of the early 20th century.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review