6 Day Bike Rider
6 Day Bike Rider is a 1934 American comedy film directed by Lloyd Bacon, written by Earl Baldwin, and starring Joe E. Brown, Maxine Doyle, Frank McHugh, Gordon Westcott, Arthur Aylesworth and Lottie Williams. The film's production lasted for 11 days, starting on July 9, 1934. A multi-bicyclist collision happened during close-up filming. Reggie McNamara, who was known as the "Iron Man" due to his 108 six-day bicycle races, had his film debut as one of the racers. It was released by Warner Bros. on October 20, 1934.
| 6 Day Bike Rider | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Lloyd Bacon |
| Screenplay by | Earl Baldwin |
| Story by | Earl Baldwin |
| Starring | Joe E. Brown Maxine Doyle Frank McHugh Gordon Westcott Arthur Aylesworth Lottie Williams |
| Cinematography | Warren Lynch |
| Edited by | George Amy |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
Release date |
|
Running time | 69 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot edit
This is the story of a young clerk who has failed at everything he has tried in his life so far. He enters a six-day bicycle race to impress his girlfriend and hilarious hijinks ensue. He eventually wins this race, marries his girlfriend and they live happily ever after.
Production edit
Production began on July 9, 1934 by First National Pictures and it lasted for 11 days.[1][2] During production, children could meet the star Joe E. Brown and talk to him.[2] Warner Brothers distributed the film.[1] Bacon based the film on six-day racing, in which a team of two people would circle a wooden track on a bicycle for six days. The team typically consisted of a man and a woman and they would take turns riding on the bicycle.[3] Reggie McNamara, known as the “Iron Man” because of his 108 six-day bicycle races, played the part of one of the racers in his film debut.[4]
A collision started when a bicycle's wheel collapsed, causing 16 bicyclists to hit a cameraman's motorcycle who was attempting to film close to the action. Nine of the bicyclists were hurt, including one who was critically injured.[1][5]
Release edit
6 Day Bike Rider was released theatrically in 1934 with the featurettes Darling Enemy, starring Gertrude Niesen, the Merrie Melodies cartoon Rhythm in the Bow and recent news.[6] On November 24, 1934 in Plainfield, New Jersey, the film was screened during events that were based around the film. The two day long events included a "Recreation Field Day of Joe. E. Brown's 6 Day Bike Rider", a costume bicycle parade, a trick rider, a children's show, and a screening of 6 Day Bike Rider at the Oxford Theater.[7][8]
Reception edit
A review in The Owensboro Messenger said, "6 Day Bike Rider is a hilarious comedy of thrills and spills on racing track."[2] An Arizona Daily Star article stated that 6 Day Bike Rider is "said to be one of the most humorous pictures of Joe. E Brown's long comedy career."[9] AllMovie reviewer Hal Erickson wrote, "Even though the fad which inspired it has passed into history, Six-Day Bike Rider remains fresh and funny today."[10]
A Variety reviewer was unimpressed with the performances, stating that the film has a "foolish story" and concluded their review by saying, "With Director Lloyd Bacon, it was a case of being handed a bowl of tapioca and told to make caviar."[11] A TV Guide review states, "Unusually poor outing for Brown finds him entering a six-day bicycle race, which he wins, naturally".[12]
Cast edit
- Joe E. Brown as Wilfred Simpson
- Maxine Doyle as Phyllis Jenkins
- Frank McHugh as Clinton Hemmings
- Gordon Westcott as Harry St. Clair
- Arthur Aylesworth as Col. Jenkins
- Lottie Williams as Mrs. Jenkins
- Dorothy Christy as Mrs. Mabel St. Clair[10]
References edit
- ^ a b c "6 Day Bike Rider". AFI. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Joe E. Brown". The Owensboro Messenger. Owensboro, Kentucky. October 21, 1934 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ William H. Young Jr. (30 October 2002). The 1930s. ABC-CLIO. p. 121. ISBN 978-0-313-07747-0.
- ^ "Famous Bike Rider In Racing Film". The Daily Journal. Vineland, New Jersey. November 8, 1934 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Miller, Frank (June 25, 2014). "6 Day Bike Rider". TCM. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- ^ "6-Day Bike Rider Held Over Tuesday At Iowa Theater". The Gazette. Cedar Rapids, Iowa. October 22, 1934 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "6-Day Bike Rider With Joe E. Brown – His Greatest Picture". The Courier-News. Bridgewater, New Jersey. November 19, 1934 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Andrew Craig Morrison (2006). Theaters. W.W. Norton & Company. p. 131. ISBN 978-0-393-73108-8.
- ^ "6 Day Bike Rider Show At Opera House Today, Tomorrow, Tuesday". Arizona Daily Star. Tucson, Arizona. October 28, 1934 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Hal Erickson. "Six-Day Bike Rider (1934) – Lloyd Bacon". AllMovie. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- ^ "Six-Day Bike Rider". Variety. November 6, 1934. Retrieved January 10, 2021 – via Archive.org.
- ^ "Six-Day Bike Rider". TV Guide. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
External links edit
- 6 Day Bike Rider at IMDb