Sporting Blood (1940) User Reviews (3)

The Return of Myles Vanders

[sol-kay · 6/10 · 18 May 2013]

***SPOILERS*** It when horse breeder and trainer Davis "Lockjaw" Lockwood, Lewis Stone, got the news that young Myles Vanders, Robert Young, was back in town he knew that his troubles were about to begin. Myles after a 20 year self imposed exile was now back trying to get into the state's horse racing circles and planned to run his horse "Skipper" in the $20,000.00 Thomas Jefferson Handicap against Lockwood's top racehorse ""Prince of Virginia". Not only that he wanted "Lockjaw" Lockwood to help him get a $3,000.00 loan in order to enter Skipper in the race! Knowing that Skipper doesn't have a chance to win Lockwood guaranteed him the loan but what later happened was far worse that his horse "Prince of Virginia" losing to "Skipper" in big the race. Lockwood's two beautiful southern belle daughters Joan & Linda, Lynne Carver & Maureen O'Sullivan, fell madly and uncontrollably in love with the handsome brazen and in your face Myles! Which was the worst thing that old man Lockwood could have imagine! The Vanders name is mud in these parts of the state of Virgina in Myles dad stealing "Lockjaw" Lockwood's old lady away from him. It was a short time later on their honeymoon the former Mrs. Lockwood ended up perishing together her new husband when the cruse ship they were on was sunk by a possible German U-boat torpedo attack.

Lockwood did get a savor of sorts when Joan whom Myles was to marry dumped him for the rich and blue-breaded Ted Milner whom she eloped with to Washington D.C to marry. But it was Old Man Lockwood's second stringed filly, in Myles opinion, Linda who stood by Myles which in the end was to be the person who would be responsible in him winning the Thomas Jefferson Handicap. And thus end up making a fool of her dad Davis "Lockjaw" Lockwood.

***SPOILERS*** Before all this happened Myles had some hard times with both his horses "Skipper" and the filly "Sweetheart" being out of the running. "Skipper" was injured during a workout and "Sweetheart" killed in a barn fire started by Lockwood's loyal and faithful servant Jeff, Clerence Muse. Jeff in trying to please his master David "Lockjaw" Lockwood started an arson fire at Myles' barn that ended up killing two of his horses and could have possibly killed Myles and those who, including Linda, were trying to put it out! Yet there were no charges pressed against Jeff like arson and attempted murder as well as cruelty to animals and he even kept his job as the butler at the Lockwood Estate! You go figure that out!

Anti climactic ending that's been done before and much better in many other horse racing films with Myles' new acquired Philly "Miss Richmond" beating Lockwood's prizes horse "Prince of Virginia" to the finish line with Linda who was to check out on Myles suddenly changed her mind about him when he went to collated the 20 thousand dollars in winning the race. A race that Myles won with her not his horse "Miss Richmond" no less!

Old feuds die hard....

[planktonrules · 5/10 · 14 October 2016]

Horseman Myles Vanders (Robert Young) is at the end of the line--he's broke and his best horse has an injury. With no other apparent options, he returns to his ancestral home in Virginia...a place he's dreaded ever visiting again. This is because long ago, his father ran off with Mrs. Lockwood...and the Lockwoods have done their best to make him feel unwelcome since this family practically owns the county. Interestingly, while Mr. Lockwood (Lewis Stone) is NOT pleased to see Myles, folks seem to think they would be helping Lockwood by doing Myles dirty...which happens several times throughout the film. But Myles has a plan...to date Lockwood's daughter and use her against him. But the plan fizzles...when she runs off and marries another man. However, oddly, her sister (Maureen O'Sullivan) marries Myles...but their marriage is a complicated one to say the least. What's to come of all this? See the film...or not

This film is in many ways like a soap opera and a horse racing film in one. However, it also is a movie that seems to go on too long and isn't quite sure of its plot. Many important story lines just seem to fade and the overall film is too long and disjoint to be anything more than a time passer.

A very enjoyable old film, and the topic is perfect now between the Preakness and the Belmont races.

[dlscioscia · 17 May 2004]

The story has some important lessons in it that are not put forth in today's movies. The movie has a wholesome story line that is so much a part of the past as compared to the 'whatever feels good' examples that are shown to our young people today.

Robert Montgomery is best remembered for his role in the "Father Knows Best" sitcom and this much younger version of him is great fun to watch.

The musical theme is very familiar and if anyone knows the name of it, I would like to hear from them. I recently heard the same theme in another film, also a horse race movie, but do not remember the title. Perhaps the music has something to do with the state of Virginia.