The Road to Reno ** (1938, Randolph Scott, Hope Hampton, Glenda Farrell, Helen Broderick, Alan Marshal) – Classic Movie Review 6602

Director S Sylvan Simon’s 1938 Universal screwball comedy Western The Road to Reno stars Randolph Scott as rancher farm boss Steve Fortness, who battles with the perils of Western life – and particularly fights with his feisty socialite wife Linda Halliday (Hope Hampton), who wants a divorce so that she can get married to Walter Crawford (Alan Marshal).

There are considerable points of interest in this muddled romantic comedy drama, mostly in the writing and the acting. The tolerable screenplay, based on a story by I A R Wylie, throws in snatches of light humour and action, juggling the elements with some flair.

Unfortunately, The Road to Reno is all very silly. But, thanks to the energy in the performances, especially by the largely forgotten Hampton, it is still a fair bit of vintage fun.

Also in the cast are Glenda Farrell, Helen Broderick, Samuel S Hinds, Spencer Charters, Ted Osborne, Dorothy [Dot] Farley, Charles Murphy, Mira McKinney, Renie Riano, Lita Chevret, Willie Fung, Jack Rube Clifford, Grace Goodall and Eddie Hall.

The Road to Reno runs 72 minutes, is written by Roy Chanslor, Adele Comandini, Brian Marlow, F Hugh Herbert and Charles Kenyon, shot in black and white by George Robinson, produced by Jules Brulatour and Edmund S Grainger, and scored by Charles Henderson, with Art Direction by Jack Otterson.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 6602

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