Interesteg What makes it different from others?

Inclubabu Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

Intcatinfo A Masterpiece!

Patience Watson One of those movie experiences that is so good it makes you realize you've been grading everything else on a curve.

MartinHafer In many ways, this film reminds me of another Warner Brothers film made just a few years later, "The Petrified Forest". Both are set at isolated gas stations in the desert and both involve gangsters who come there to seek shelter. However, the films are certainly different enough to make it worth seeing them both.Olga (Aline MacMahon) is a world-weary soul who has chosen to move into the middle of nowhere because she's tired of people. Her sister, Myrna (Ann Dvorak), however, isn't tired of people and yearns for excitement and men-- and the pair couldn't be more different. Into their very dull and predictable lives come an assortment of folks to stay at their gas station/motor court. One pair are a couple of divorcées on their way from Reno after their latest conquest. Another are a pair of crooks on the run from the law. In a coincidence you'll only see in a play or movie, it turns out the boss (Preston Foster) was once Olga's lover! What's next? See the film.There are two main things going for this film--Foster and MacMahon. Their characters are interesting and the final scene between them is something to see! Unfortunately, Dvorak's role is very whiny and annoying--and the character significantly impairs the film with her overwrought performance. Overall, it is worth seeing but is far from brilliant work from the studio.

GManfred That was how the cast of 'Seinfeld' described their show. But they were beaten to the punch in 1934 by Warner Bros. with the release of "Heat Lightning", a static and unfunny comedy/drama taken from the Broadway show of the same name.The beginning was the best part, with Edgar Kennedy and Jane Darwell as a bickering married couple. It made you think that the best was yet to come, but no. The rest of the film is loaded with unnecessary, awkward situations and with the actors seeming ill at ease and mouthing stilted and clumsy dialogue which often falls flat. I cannot believe George Abbott had a hand in the movie script and must have been credited since he wrote the play, because this script is poorly written and lacking humor in humorous situations.This was a shame because Warners had assembled a great cast but saddled them with a boring story which lacks action and energy. Ann Dvorak, an excellent actress, comes off as whiny and annoying and Ruth Donnelly could have sued the script writer, her comic lines were so prosaic. And a contributor mentioned 'Key Largo'?! There is no similarity at all. "Heat Lightning" ran only 44 performances on Broadway for a reason, and I'll bet it wasn't the depression. The four rating points are for the cast despite the fact they were mistreated.

bkoganbing Heat Lightning was an early work by George Abbott, written and directed by him in 1933 it had only a run of 44 performances in that anemic Depression Era season on Broadway. It was not the best work Abbott was ever associated with, but I'm sure he was grateful that Warner Brothers bought the screen rights in those cash strapped times.It stars Aline McMahon and Ann Dvorak as a pair of sisters running a filling station, automobile camp out in the American west, very similar to the one Bette Davis and her family was running in The Petrified Forest. They're both a bit antsy being stuck out in the desert without the attention of the male of the species. But McMahon's been around the track a little too often and she tries to steer Dvorak right.The guy who gave her that ride a few times is Preston Foster and he's shown up with pal Lyle Talbot. On the lam as it turns out, but the sisters don't know it. Foster's putting the moves on Dvorak and McMahon ain't having any of that. Truth be told she's got a bit of a yen still left and the desert isolation ain't curing the yen.Some other characters pop up in this drama, a pair of would be divorcées heading for Reno with their 'chauffeur' played by Glenda Farrell, Ruth Donnelly and Frank McHugh. Also at the beginning Edgar Kennedy and Jane Darwell are a married couple going west. I wish we could have seen more of them. In fact I'm surprised that Jack Warner didn't recognize a good potential comic team there and made more films with them.As you can see there are a lot of similarities to The Petrified Forest, but I think that even with the tragedies that befall both Humphrey Bogart and Leslie Howard there, The Petrified Forest is a more optimistic play. Bette Davis does get her chance to leave and see the wider world. Not quite what happens here, but I can't say more.As compared to some of the legendary work George Abbott was associated with on stage Heat Lightning is definitely minor league. Yet it's not a bad piece of work, definitely in keeping with the times. Mervyn LeRoy did a good job in filling the screen and striking a nice balance between the comic and the dramatic. Very typical of what came from the working man's studio.

wes-connors Grease monkey Aline McMahon (as Olga) runs a "Service Station and Auto Camp" in the California desert, with help from attractive little sister Ann Dvorak (as Myra). Ms. MacMahon takes care of gas and gaskets (outside), while Ms. Dvorak serves cold beer and Coca-Cola (inside). MacMahon has sworn off cabarets, after a bad relationship - but, innocent Dvorak wants to go out and have fun. There are opportunities in the middle of the desert, as frequent travelers abound.While discouraging Dvorak, MacMahon has second thoughts about the male gender after old flame Preston Foster (as George, but MacMahon still calls him "Jerry") chances by the station, with "peeping Tom" pal Lyle Talbot (as Jeff). The pair are on the lam, after a bank heist and double-murder. MacMahon covers for Mr. Preston, when the sheriff comes looking for the crooks. MacMahon seems ready to re-succumb to Preston's masculine charms, but may want to reconsider… Everyone pretends to be hot, but Mervyn LeRoy's "Heat Lightning" is all subtest, and no steam. The cast is fun, though.***** Heat Lightning (3/3/34) Mervyn LeRoy ~ Aline MacMahon, Preston Foster, Ann Dvorak, Lyle Talbot