Heat Lightning

Directed by Mervyn LeRoy, Heat Lightning details the comings and goings within a remote desert gas station run by two sisters (Aline MacMahon’s Olga and Ann Dvorak’s Myra). It’s certainly not surprising to discover that Heat Lightning has been adapted from Leon Abrams and George Abbott’s theatrical production, as the movie, written by Brown Holmes and Warren Duff, has been saddled with about as stagy a feel as one could possibly envision – with the filmed-play atmosphere perpetuated by LeRoy’s decidedly less-than-cinematic approach. There’s little doubt, then, that Heat Lightning benefits from its assortment of agreeably melodramatic subplots and raft of compelling, above-average performances, with, in terms of the latter, the various actors’ first-class efforts going a long way towards elevating the proceedings on a regular basis. (Both MacMahon and Dvorak are, in particular, quite compelling here, to be sure.) By the time the predictably yet satisfying finale rolls around, Heat Lightning has confirmed its place as a decent-enough drama that does, at least, run an appreciatively brisk 63 minutes.

**1/2 out of ****