Thoroughbreds Don't Cry (1937)

Great Film overall

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

A different way of telling a story

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

When Mickey Rooney died last month, I got a jones to watch some of his movies so when I went to the library, and this was among the films there, I had to get it especially since I knew this was the first one he made with Judy Garland. He plays a jockey and Ms. Garland plays the niece of the owner of the boardinghouse for jockeys. But the main character is played by Ronald Sinclair, another teen who's from England (actually Sinclair was from New Zealand), who has a horse he wants to enter into the America's Cup race. I'll stop there and just say it was quite fascinating watching Rooney and Garland bicker and also helping Sinclair in his troubles. Ms. Garland had one song she performed a few times in the movie. Her character dreams of stardom which, of course, is what happened to Judy in real life. Legendary singer Sophie Tucker plays her aunt but she doesn't have a number for some reason. All in all, Thoroughbreds Don't Cry was quite an entertaining programmer.

Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland don't especially dance here at all, and Judy only belts out one or 2 songs in this sort of entertaining 1937 film.As Judy's aunt here, Sophie Tucker, is way out of her league. This is the type of part that went to the usually reliable Jesse Ralph of the period. Tucker is somewhat subdued and in the racing scene, she is so nonchalant, she looks like she needs a chair to converse with the other women in front of her apartment building.The premise here is a good one. C. Aubrey Smith and his grandson come to America to race their horse. They meet up with Mickey Rooney, a tough-minded jockey, who lives in the boarding house for jockeys run by Tucker and "niece" Judy Garland. Through chicanery, Rooney's crooked father gets him to throw a race. To make matters worse, Aubrey is felled by a fatal coronary while viewing the race.Rooney agrees to race the horse again at a bigger race, but his father gets him thrown out for throwing the previous race. The grandson steps in to race the horse and we're all happy about as the characters sing along in a trailer at film's end.This is rather bland fanfare with a good story line.

Mickey Rooney truly shines in this film. Outshining top billed Judy Garland. If you are a fan of Mickey and Judy you will love this movie. And of course, if you love horses you will be thrilled. Mickey Rooney playes a tough Jockey who can really win those races. That is until his father pretends to be sicks and tricks Mickey into throwing a race. His father will make you angry throughout the entire film. Mickey Rooney will break your heart and Judy will bring joy as she sings Got A Pair Of New Shoes. Mickey Rooney, in my opinion, is probably the most talented actor to ever live. This is a very enjoyable film to watch and is highly recommended. Catch it on TCM the next time it's aired. You'll love it!

Mickey Rooney was already a seasoned performer when he starred in this film about a young English friend and his horse. Rooney plays an egotistical jockey with all the cockiness and fireball energy of a young James Cagney. Ronald Sinclair, the child actor who later worked behind the scenes, is the young English chap. However, the irrepressible Rooney easily outshines the young Sinclair. The film also features a young girl by the name of Judy Garland. Judy repeats a similar role she had in The Broadway Melody of 1938 as the young charge of boardinghouse mama, Sophie Tucker. The blustery Tucker, who surprisingly does not sing in the film, easily steals every scene she is in. It's always good to see old stalwart C. Aubrey Smith add an air of dignity to the proceedings. Mickey and Judy are foes as well as friends in their debut film together. Judy sings a little, but the film is not a musical. It's almost as if MGM was giving the juvenile star movie format a trial run here. It's pretty much a predictable, formulaic movie, but, as is frequently the case with movies from the 30's, 40's, and 50's, the stars make it entertaining by their sheer presence and energy. **1/2 of 4 stars.