The Dark Horse

Alfred E. Green
1932-06-16

Hilarity is just around the corner, in this screaming burlesque on the political parade! You'll Vote For Every Star!
7.2
75 min

The Progressive Party convention is deadlocked for governor, so both sides nominate the dark horse Zachary Hicks. Kay Russell suggests they hire Hal Blake as campaign manager; but first they have to get him out of jail for not paying alimony. Blake organizes the office and coaches Hicks to answer every question by pausing and then saying, "Well yes, but then again no." Blake will sell Hicks as dumb but honest. Russell refuses to marry Blake, while Joe keeps people away from Blake's office. Blake teaches Hicks a speech by Lincoln. At the debate when the conservative candidate Underwood recites the same speech, Blake exposes him as a plagiarist. Hicks is presented for photo opportunities and gives his yes-and-no answer to any question, including whether he expects to win.

Cast

Name Character Team
Bette Davis Kay Russell Unowned
Warren William Hal Samson Blake Unowned
Guy Kibbee Zachary Hicks Unowned
Vivienne Osborne Hal's Ex-Wife Maybelle Blake Unowned
Frank McHugh Joe Unowned
Sam Hardy Mr. Black Unowned
Harry Holman Mr. Jones Unowned
Charles Sellon Mr. Green Unowned
Robert Emmett O'Connor Sheriff Unowned
Berton Churchill William A. Underwood Unowned
Robert Warwick Mr. Clark Unowned
Louise Beavers Kay's Maid Levinnia Unowned
Harry C. Bradley Blue Ribbon Man Unowned
Harrison Greene Delegate Next to Hicks Unowned
Harry Leroy Delegate Unowned
Wilfred Lucas Debate Chairman Unowned
Wilbur Mack Conservative Party Man Unowned
Tom McGuire Conservative Party Man Unowned
Bert Moorhouse Reporter Unowned
Edmund Mortimer Convention Delegate Unowned
Field Norton Delegate Unowned
Henry Otho Delegate Spreading the Word Unowned
Paul Panzer Delegate Telephoning Unowned
Cyril Ring Airport Clerk Unowned
Cliff Saum Progressive Party Man Unowned
Harry Seymour Conservative Party Man Unowned
Charles Sherlock Progressive Party Man Unowned
Phil Tead Bellhop Unowned
Jim Thorpe Blackfeet Indian Chief Unowned
Monte Vandergrift Delegate Unowned
Harry Wilson Man in Jail Cell Unowned