''She Went to the Races'' is a 1945

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

comedy film A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending (black comedy being an exception). Comedy is one of the ol ...

directed by

Willis Goldbeck Willis Goldbeck (October 24, 1898 – September 17, 1979) was an American screenwriter, film director and producer. He wrote for 40 films between 1923 and 1962. He also directed ten films between 1942 and 1951. Willis graduated from Worcest ...

and starring James Craig,

Frances Gifford Mary Frances Gifford (December 7, 1920 – January 22, 1994) was an American actress who played leads and supporting roles in many 1930s and 1940s movies. Early years Gifford was born and raised in Long Beach, California, and at the age of 16, ...

and

Ava Gardner Ava Lavinia Gardner (December 24, 1922 – January 25, 1990) was an American actress. She first signed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1941 and appeared mainly in small roles until she drew critics' attention in 1946 with her perform ...

. The screenplay concerns a team of scientists who discover a seemingly foolproof way of discovering the winner of

horse races Horse racing is an equestrian performance sport, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its basic p ...

Plot

Dr. Ann Wotters, working at the Brockhurst Institute of Research in Los Angeles, is devastated when she learns that her uncle, Dr. Homer Pecke, will be let off because the institute can't afford to keep him on staff and his research project running. The institute would need another $20,000 to afford Pecke's services. Ann and her uncle's colleagues Dr. Gurke, Dr. Pembroke and Dr. Collyer, put their sharp heads together to come up with a plan to raise the money needed. They get unexpected help from the institute janitor, who has had recent success at the racetrack. To ensure their wins at the racetrack, the uncle's scientist colleagues try to come up with a fool proof formula to foresee which horses will win the races. The four scientists then decide to try their "luck" at the Pasadena racetrack. They discover that there are no available hotel rooms left in the city, but Ann manages to persuade the staff of a hotel to let her into the room reserved for Steve Canfield, who is a race horse owner. When Steve checks in, Ann persuades him to let her keep one of the rooms in his suite. Steve's old girlfriend and horse owning colleague Hilda is also staying at the hotel. She is keen on reuniting with Steve, but Ann and Steve are starting to get romantically involved. Meanwhile, the three other scientists are trying to decide which horse to bet on and eventually decide on Steve's horse, Mr. McGillicudy. When Steve hears about this, he tries to persuade Ann not to bet on his horse, afraid that he will be blamed for her losing money if his horse loses. Homer goes missing from his home in Los Angeles, then turns up at the racetrack in Pasadena, too, and makes contact with Steve's horse trainer Jeff Habbard. Homer tells Ann that he has bet on Steve's horse because Steve himself has bet on it. Ann has followed Steve's advice, however, and bet on another horse, losing their money when Mr. McGillicuddy wins. Ann is furious and suspicious towards Steve after this. Steve feels bad, not knowing that Uncle Homer was misinformed about his betting on his own horse. The relationship between Ann and Steve comes to an abrupt halt, giving Hilda greater leverage for reconciliation with Steve. Even though Hilda is still in love with "the Count" and Steve with Ann, Hilda proposes they marry and merge their racing interests. Although Homer wins on Steve's horse, the scientists haven't won enough money to get Homer reinstated at the institute. Ann goes to Steve to borrow the rest of the money from him, but finds him and Hilda drinking and on the floor in Hilda's room. Steve, still unaware that Ann thinks he bet on his own horse, catches Ann off guard by offering her the money before she can ask. Elated at first, Ann storms off without the money when Steve tells her that he is now engaged to Hilda. At the next race, Ann asks Steve to place another bet for her on Mr. McGillicuddy, then challenges Hilda to withdraw her horse from a joint entry with McGillicudy to prove she isn't marrying Steve for the money. The scientists find that they have miscalculated, i.e., 2 + 2 = 5, and have placed the wrong bet. Hilda accepts the challenge and they decide to bet the outcome of the race—the one who has bet on the winning horse gets to be with Steve. Steve returns, having saved the scientists by betting on the horse he thought would win. Just before the race begins, Ann learns that the institute has found money to reinstate Homer. Mr. McGillicudy wins the race, Ann and the scientists win their bets, and Steve and Ann reunite with a kiss in the winner's circle.

Cast

* James Craig as Steve Canfield *

as Doctor Wotters *

as Hilda Spotts *

Edmund Gwenn Edmund Gwenn (born Edmund John Kellaway; 26 September 1877 – 6 September 1959) was an English actor. On film, he is best remembered for his role as Kris Kringle in the Christmas film ''Miracle on 34th Street'' (1947), for which he won th ...

as Doctor Pecke *

Sig Ruman Siegfried Carl Alban Rumann (October 11, 1884 – February 14, 1967), billed as Sig Ruman and Sig Rumann, was a German-American character actor known for his portrayals of pompous and often stereotypically Teutonic officials or villains in ...

as Doctor Gurke *

Reginald Owen John Reginald Owen (5 August 1887 – 5 November 1972) was a British actor. He was known for his many roles in British and American films and television programs. Career The son of Joseph and Frances Owen, Reginald Owen studied at Sir Herbert ...

as Dr. Pembroke *

J.M. Kerrigan Joseph Michael Kerrigan (16 December 1884 – 29 April 1964) was an Irish actor. Early life Joseph Michael Kerrigan was born on 16 December 1884 in Dublin, which was part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland at that time. H ...

as Jeff Habbard *

Charles Halton Charles Halton (March 16, 1876 – April 16, 1959) was an American character actor who appeared in over 180 films. Life and career Halton trained at the New York Academy of Dramatic Arts. He made his Broadway debut in 1901, after which he ...

as Doctor Collyer *

Chester Clute Chester Lamont Clute (February 18, 1891 – April 2, 1956) was an American actor familiar in scores of Hollywood films from his debut in 1930. Diminutive, bald-pated with a bristling moustache, he appeared in mostly unbilled roles, consi ...

as Wallace Mason *

Frank Orth Frank Orth (February 21, 1880 – March 17, 1962) was an American actor born in Philadelphia. He is probably best remembered for his portrayal of Inspector Faraday in the 1951-1953 television series '' Boston Blackie''. Career By 1897, Ort ...

as Bartender Skelly * Joe Hernandez as Himself *

Buster Keaton Joseph Frank "Buster" Keaton (October 4, 1895 – February 1, 1966) was an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker. He is best known for his silent film work, in which his trademark was physical comedy accompanied by a stoic, deadpan expression ...

bellboy A bellhop (North America), or hotel porter (international), is a hotel employee who helps patrons with their luggage while checking in or out. Bellhops often wear a uniform (see bell-boy hat), like certain other page boys or doormen. This occupa ...

(uncredited) *

John Dehner John Dehner (DAY-ner) (born John Dehner Forkum, also credited Dehner Forkum; November 23, 1915February 4, 1992) was an American stage, radio, film, and television actor. From the late 1930s to the late 1980s, he amassed a long list of performan ...

as winner's announcer (uncredited)

References

External links

*{{IMDb title, 0038083 1945 films 1945 comedy films American black-and-white films American comedy films Films directed by Willis Goldbeck Films set in Los Angeles Films about gambling American horse racing films Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films Films with screenplays by Buster Keaton Films scored by Nathaniel Shilkret 1940s English-language films 1940s American films English-language comedy films