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      The Big Wheel

      Released Nov 4, 1949 1h 32m Adventure List
      Reviews 22% 50+ Ratings Audience Score Young Billy Coy (Mickey Rooney) lost his dad to a fiery wreck at the Indy 500, but that doesn't stop him from wanting to get behind the wheel as a professional driver. He makes his first step toward racing glory when he lands a gig in a garage with Red (Thomas Mitchell), the man who fine-tuned Billy's father's car. With the support of his mother (Spring Byington), love-struck beauty Louise (Mary Hatcher) and Red, Billy finally makes it as a pro, and gets his own shot at the Indy 500. Read More Read Less Watch on Prime Video Stream Now

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      The Big Wheel

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      Audience Reviews

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      Audience Member The best adventure, because Mickey Rooney played a racecar driver!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL, all ages. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Audience Member The first picture of Mickey's decline from stardom after the previous year's Words and Music where his terrible performance pretty much ended his tenure at MGM. It's fitting that it's a racing movie because it's a skid picture for the Mick without question. After years of the plush surroundings at Metro this low budget loser must have come as a rude shock. He's overly earnest as was typical of his starring career which was endurable in parts where he was the brash teenage Andy Hardy and similar roles but as he aged became arch and annoying. The story is standard cocky hothead knocked down a few pegs until his learns the necessary life lessons junk but if you're a race fan and don't mind the obvious rear projection shots it a certain entertainment value. What's great about these old Hollywood films is that even in an economy production like this the film is full of quality character actors who had more latitude in moving between studios, genres and types of productions. This one has a supporting cast better than it deserves with three greats in the cast, Spring Byington, Thomas Mitchell and in a small part Hattie McDaniel, this was her last theatrical feature. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member If you have no interest in the auto racing of bygone days, The Big Wheel probably won't do much for you. In 2012 it constitutes a niche film most noteworthy for its historically accurate portrayal of American open-wheel racing in the late 40s. But if that subject interests you, The Big Wheel is a must see. The film effectively portrays the drama and danger of racing in that era, as well as the rough-and-ready characters who confronted its hazards in order to obtain gold and glory. The Big Wheel, through lead character Billy Coy's mother, also shows the torment that plagued racing wives and mothers. All in all, The Big Wheel is a valuable lens onto a fascinating aspect of American history that is rapidly disappearing down the memory hole. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Audience Member NASCAR fans will get a kick out of the vintage footage. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member An uninteresting stench-fest of bad acting. At least Rooney has a little charisma. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Audience Member NIFTY LITTLE B MOVIE, WITH A GOOD CAST. MICKEY ROONEY, SPRING BYINGTON AND THOMAS MITCHELL DO A GOOD JOB. HATTIE MC DANIEL HAS A SMALL BUT FUN ROLE. THE STORY IS ABOUT RACE CAR DRIVING. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      The Big Wheel

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      Critics Reviews

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      Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews More suited for fans of race car driving than others. Rated: C Dec 26, 2004 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis Young Billy Coy (Mickey Rooney) lost his dad to a fiery wreck at the Indy 500, but that doesn't stop him from wanting to get behind the wheel as a professional driver. He makes his first step toward racing glory when he lands a gig in a garage with Red (Thomas Mitchell), the man who fine-tuned Billy's father's car. With the support of his mother (Spring Byington), love-struck beauty Louise (Mary Hatcher) and Red, Billy finally makes it as a pro, and gets his own shot at the Indy 500.
      Director
      Edward Ludwig
      Producer
      Harry M. Popkin
      Screenwriter
      Robert Smith
      Distributor
      United Artists
      Production Co
      Samuel H. Stiefel Productions
      Genre
      Adventure
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Nov 4, 1949, Original
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Jan 15, 2016
      Runtime
      1h 32m
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