From Hell to Heaven *** (1933, Carole Lombard, Jack Oakie, Sidney Blackmer, Adrienne Ames, David Manners) – Classic Movie Review 12,615

The 1933 ensemble drama film From Hell to Heaven is Paramount’s answer to Grand Hotel, set at a racetrack hotel where Colly Tanner (Carole Lombard) bets her virtue on a nag.

‘PANORAMIC DRAMA OF HUMAN GREED AND GLORY! 11 lives – gambling their destinies on the speed of a horse! Heaven if they Won – Hell if they Lost!’

Director Erle C Kenton’s 1933 Paramount Pictures’ black and white ensemble drama film From Hell to Heaven stars Carole Lombard, Jack Oakie, Sidney Blackmer, Adrienne Ames, and David Manners. Lombard is now the only name to conjure with in a once all-star cast.

Paramount’s multi-story answer to MGM’s 1932 triumph Grand Hotel is a sports drama set at a humble racetrack resort hotel where folks await the result of a horse race at a nearby track, as Colly Tanner (Carole Lombard) bets her virtue on a nag.

Sidney Blackmer plays her old flame Cliff Billings, Bradley Page plays a crook called Jack Ruby who kills his wife, Jack Oakie plays the course commentator Charlie Bayne, Adrienne Ames plays his sexy gal Joan Burt, and David Manners plays Wesley Burt.

From Hell to Heaven is a minor movie, but it is brisk and lively, and entertaining, though it does not have the allure of Grand Hotel because it cannot boast the same level or number of big star names, and the racetrack setting lacks the allure of the Grand Hotel. Also, with a running time of only 70 minutes, it lacks the scope or ambition of Grand Hotel.

Still, Lombard, Oakie, Blackmer and Ames all give ideal, enjoyable performances.

Also in the cast are Verna Hillie, James C Eagles, Shirley Grey, Bradley Page, Walter Walker, Berton Churchill, Donald Kerr, Nydia Westman, Cecil Cunningham, Thomas Jackson, Rita LeRoy, Clarence Muse, and Del Henderson.

It is adapted from the stage play by Lawrence Hazard, in which people from different walks of life gather to watch a horse race, whose outcome will affect their lives.

The cast are Carole Lombard as Colly Tanner, Jack Oakie as Charlie Bayne, Adrienne Ames as Joan Burt, David Manners as Wesley Burt, Sidney Blackmer as Cliff Billings, Verna Hillie as Sonnie Lockwood, James C Eagles as Tommy Tucker, Shirley Grey as Winnie Lloyd, Bradley Page as Jack Ruby, Walter Walker as Pop Lockwood, Berton Churchill as Toledo Jones, Cecil Cunningham as Mrs Chadman, Nydia Westman as Sue Wells, Donald Kerr, Thomas Jackson, Rita LeRoy, Clarence Muse, and Del Henderson.

It is written by Percy Heath and Sidney Buchman, cinematography by Henry Sharp, production company Paramount Pictures, and running time 70 minutes.

Release date: 24 February 1933.

© Derek Winnert 2023 – Classic Movie Review 12,615

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