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Plot

An interesting precursor to such films as The Petrified Forest and Bus Stop, Heat Lightning takes place in a remote California-desert gas station-café. Several strange characters pass through the establishment's portals during one fateful 24-hour period, including cad-and-bounder George (Preston S. Foster). Resourceful proprietress Olga (Aline MacMahon) tries to remain detached throughout but is forced to take drastic action when George threatens to seduce and abandon her own sister Myra (Ann Dvorak). Glenda Farrell, one of Warners' most reliable players, is surprisingly wasted in a glorified bit role; even further down the cast list as "Husband and Wife" are 2-reel comedy star Edgar Kennedy and future Oscar winner Jane Darwell (talk about an odd couple!) Heat Lightning was based on a stage play co-scripted by George Abbott.
MPAA Rating:
Not Yet Rated
Genre(s):
Crime and Mystery,Drama,Thriller
Run Time:
63min.
Theatrical Release Date:
08/20/1999
DVD Release Date:
12/14/2010
Distributor(s):
No Studio
Director(s):
Mervyn LeRoy
Starring:
Aline MacMahon , Ann Dvorak , Preston S. Foster , Lyle Talbot , Glenda Farrell
Themes:
Intersecting Lives
Tone:
Deliberate,Downbeat,Humorous
Keywords:
Southwest,dance [art],defense [military],gas-station-attendant,highway,killing,lover,murder,past,romance,sister,station
Language:
English