Vashirdfel Simply A Masterpiece

Spidersecu Don't Believe the Hype

TaryBiggBall It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

BelSports This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

mark.waltz When Brian Donlevy arrives in the big city, he finds himself involved in a cab war. This ruthless racket (lead by Barton MacLane) is out to get the small cabs off the road so he can clean up. MacLane won't stop at anything to get what he wants, but a pretty sophisticate (Rochelle Hudson) has other ideas on her mind, playing both ends against the middle as she spends time with both Donlevy and MacLane in order to avenge a wrong from one of the two. At only an hour long, this fast moving crime drama is a small gem, no masterpiece, but certainly entertaining none the less. Harry Carey offers some wisdom as the wise "Dad Martin" while MacLane is playing one of the most nefarious villains of his varied career. (Take note, "I Dream of Jeannie" fans, yes this is the same actor who played the General some 30 years later!).With some non-stereotypical gangsters (not the usual dumb bully's) as part of the action (and some great use of street violence), this speeds on by just as Donlevy's racer did in the opening sequence. Hudson isn't one of those pretty heroines who stands back and frets as the hero tries to protect her; She's right in there on the action, and that makes her a much more interesting character. Donlevy, who played both heroes and villains, is quite dashing here, not afraid at all to stand up to the bad guy, yet not so angelic that butter wouldn't melt in his mouth, either.

JohnHowardReid An extremely lively, well-acted programmer, credited to director Mal St Clair, a top man in the silent period, but now working in Fox's "B" unit. As usual for Fox, the budget looks extremely generous for a "B"-grader, with lots of extras, attractive sets, and Miss Hudson modeling a stunning series of winning costumes. But most important ingredient of all: scads of action! Indeed perhaps too much action and too over the top. The script is credited to John Patrick, plus Fox's top writing team, Robert Ellis and Helen Logan. Unfortunately, "Born Reckless" was a troubled production. Donlevy injured his left hand, other writers were brought in, and director Gustav Machaty shot some footage – possibly all of the more spirited scenes with Donlevy which do not seem typical of credited director Mal St Clair's usual, far more leisurely style. The action spots are certainly most vigorously staged but rather far-fetched for what is supposed to be a realistic exposé of graft and corruption in the taxi industry.

Michael_Elliott Born Reckless (1937) ** (out of 4) Silly Fox film has gangsters running a taxi service and trying to bump off another taxi service in town. Then an auto racing champion (Brian Donlevy) joins forces with the good guys to wipe out the gangsters. This is a rather strange film throughout its 59-minute running time because at times the thing tries to be very serious but at other times its so over the top that it comes off very campy. There are several "bumper cars" type action with taxis running into one another and this is fun but it takes away from later scenes, which, again, are trying to be serious. Donlevy is good in a role where you can tell the studio would have preferred James Cagney. The supporting cast includes Rochelle Hudson, Robert Kent, Harry Carey, George Walcott and Pauline Moore.

boblipton This fast-paced Fox programmer -- originally issued at 78 minutes, although the version I saw was cut to just under an hour -- looks a lot like its Warner Brothers counterparts, B movies modeled on Jimmy Cagney vehicles. Brian Donleavy does a good job in the lead role, playing the cocky, brash young hot shot, although he lacks the detail work of Cagney.The piece, however, is a lot more violent than the equivalent Warner's fare, as Donleavy goes seeking trouble, rather than snapping into it when it finds him. top-billed Rochelle Hudson is pretty good as the moll/love interest and the bill is filled out with a fine supporting cast, particularly by Harry Carey, always solid and believable. But the script lacks the sense of exposing the social ills that usually infused the Warners actioneers, and the direction and camera work, although competent, are not top notch. A decent, if unexceptional movie.