Movie spotlight
The Devil Is Driving
In the fine tradition of And Sudden Death, Columbia's The Devil is Driving tabulates the dangers of drunken driving in an exciting, unabashedly melodramatic fashion. In his first true portrayal of a "little creep," Elisha Cook Jr. stars as Tony, the spoiled-rotten son of the wealthy and influential Mr. Stevens.
Insights
Plot Summary
The film follows the tragic story of a young doctor who, consumed by ambition and a reckless lifestyle, becomes addicted to drugs. His addiction leads him down a dark path, jeopardizing his career, his relationships, and the lives of those he cares about.
Critical Reception
Upon its release, 'The Devil Is Driving' was noted for its attempt to tackle the then-sensitive issue of drug addiction among professionals. While praised for its earnestness and the performance of its lead, it was also seen by some as melodramatic and perhaps too explicit for its time.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its dramatic portrayal of a serious social issue.
Richard Dix delivers a strong performance as the troubled doctor.
Some found the subject matter too dark or sensationalized for the era.
Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this film from 1937 is not readily available.
Fun Fact
The film was considered quite daring for its time, as it openly addressed the issue of drug addiction within the medical profession, a topic rarely explored in mainstream cinema of the 1930s.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources