Saratoga (1937)

80% of users liked it
(399 ratings)

Jean Harlow offers her final screen performance in this witty and -- in retrospect -- quite moving racetrack comedy-drama co-starring Clark Gable and Walter Pidgeon. When her father dies shortly after losing his horse farm to Duke Bradley (Gable), Carol Clayton (Harlow) refuses the handsome… More Jean Harlow offers her final screen performance in this witty and -- in retrospect -- quite moving racetrack comedy-drama co-starring Clark Gable and Walter Pidgeon. When her father dies shortly after losing his horse farm to Duke Bradley (Gable), Carol Clayton (Harlow) refuses the handsome bookmaker's offer to forget the debt and instead vows to pay him back in full. She even forbids her stockbroker fiancé, Harley Madison (Pidgeon), to make wagers that may benefit Duke, but promises to marry him once her champion horse wins at Saratoga. But against all the odds, Carol falls in love with Duke and when he appears in danger of ruination, she finds herself rooting for the competitor to win the all-important race. Saratoga, which was finished using both onscreen and voice doubles for Jean Harlow, was partially filmed on-location at Lexington and Louisville, KY, and in Saratoga Springs, NY. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 34 min.
Directed By: Jack Conway
Written By: Anita Loos, Robert E. Hopkins
Genres: Drama, Romance, Comedy

In Theaters: Jul 23, 1937 Wide
On DVD: Dec 9, 1992

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
This typical Gable vehicle, a horse racing feature that blends comedy, adventure, and melodrama, marks the very last (and one of the best) appearance of Jean Harlow who died of poisoning before the shoot was over.

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Really a nothing film, no more special then any of the hundreds churned out by Metro, albeit with a top flight cast, one far better then the material deserved. Of interest most since Jean died during filming and you sort of can't help watching and picking out the scenes where… More
Really a nothing film, no more special then any of the hundreds churned out by Metro, albeit with a top flight cast, one far better then the material deserved. Of interest most since Jean died during filming and you sort of can't help watching and picking out the scenes where they used a double, most are easy to see, a rather ghoulish viewing experience.

Cast

            Jean Harlow as Carol Clayton

            Clark Gable as Duke Bradley

            Lionel Barrymore as Grandpa Clayton

            Frank Morgan as Jesse Kiffmeyer

            Walter Pidgeon as Hartley Madison

            Una Merkel as Fritzi O'Malley

            Cliff Edwards as Zip O'Brien

            George Zucco as Dr. Harmsworth Bierd

            Jonathan Hale as Frank Clayton

            Hattie McDaniel as Rosetta

            Frankie Darro as Dixie Gordon

            Franklyn Ardell as Passenger on Train

            Herbert Ashley as Bartender

            Hooper Atchley as Bidder

            George Chandler as Cameraman

            Nick Copeland as Passenger on Train

            Edgar Dearing as Medbury the Trainer

            Mary Dees as Carol Clayton (double for Harlow after her

            Drew Demarest as Cameraman

            Sam Flint as Judge

            Charley Foy as Valet

            Irene Franklin as Passenger on Train

            Ruth Gillette as Mrs. Hurley

            Harrison Greene as Clipper

            Margaret Hamilton as Maizie

            John Hyams as Horse Owner

            Si Jenks as Gardener

            Robert Emmett Keane as Auctioneer

            Hank Mann as Passenger on Train

            Frank McGlynn Sr. as Kenyon

            Victor McLaglen as Butler

            John Miller as Passenger on Train

            Charles R. Moore as Bartender

            Forbes Murray as Pullman Steward

            Patsy O'Connor as Hurley's Kid

            Lionel Pape as Horse Owner

            George H. Reed as Butler

            Bert Roach as Passenger on Train

            Mel Ruick as Tout

            Gertrude Simpson as Bit

            Carl Stockdale as Boswell

            Fred 'Snowflake' Toones as Train Porter

            Pat West as Horse Owner

            Dennis O'Keefe as Bidder

            Bill Carey as Passenger on Train

            Ernie Stanton as Passenger on Train

            Geraldine Dvorak as Harlow's Double

            Walter Robbins as Limpy

            Joseph E. Bernard as Attendant
See full cast