Tonight's Movie: Hot Saturday (1932) - A Kino Lorber Blu-ray Review

The pre-Code drama HOT SATURDAY (1932), which provided early lead roles for Cary Grant and Randolph Scott, is now available on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber.

Nancy Carroll plays Ruth, who works as a bank clerk in the small town of Marysville.

Gossip is a blood sport in Marysville, and when jealous "friends" spread untrue stories about Ruth spending time alone with wealthy Romer Sheffield (Grant), she loses her job.

Childhood friend Bill (Scott), who has recently arrived in town for a visit due to his work, seems to be a likely "escape hatch" for Ruth when he proposes. She's genuinely fond of Bill and will have the security of marriage while moving away from the destructive gossip. And then Bill hears some of the stories about Ruth...

This is an interesting little 73-minute film which would pair well with PARTY WIRE (1935), in which Jean Arthur's life is nearly destroyed by small-town gossip.

HOT SATURDAY was released during the pre-Code era so it includes some relatively racy bits, including a moment near the end when Ruth decides that since her reputation is lost, she'll turn the gossip into reality. Despite that, there's still talk of finding a minister at the end, so all's well that ends well!

I previously enjoyed Carroll in the pre-Codes FOLLOW THRU (1930) and SCARLET DAWN (1932), and she's also appealing here as a restless young lady whose life consists of supporting her grasping parents during the week, followed by a weekend social life with people who go out with her yet aren't truly friends. Ruth's ultimate "liberation" at movie's end is a fascinating pre-Code twist.

Grant comes off for much of the movie as way too smooth, and the viewer is persuaded that he will prove to be a villain and Scott the hero. The course of action for both men thus proves to be quite interesting as they each show an unexpected side.

I certainly did not see the last 10 minutes or so of the movie coming, and it was refreshing to have a story conclude in a way that was "out of left field," defying typical storytelling conventions, yet also made perfect sense.

HOT SATURDAY was directed by William A. Seiter and filmed by Arthur L. Todd. The screenplay was by Seton I. Miller, adapted from a Harvey Fergusson novel by Josephine Lovett and Joseph Moncure March.

The supporting cast includes Jane Darwell, Lilian Bond, Edward Woods, Grady Sutton, Stanley Smith, and Jessie Arnold.

The Blu-ray print and sound are both excellent; I was quite impressed with the picture's sharpness, given the film's age.

The disc includes trailers for four additional films available from Kino Lorber which star various HOT SATURDAY cast members, plus a commentary track by Lee Gambin. An added plus is attractive reversible case cover art.

Thanks to Kino Lorber for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray.

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