White Lightning is a 1953 film directed by Edward Bernds and starring Stanley Clements, Barbara Bestar and Steve Brodie. The film also features a young Lee Van Cleef in an early role.

Plot

The film centers around a professional ice hockey team called the Red Devils who are in the midst of an extended losing streak. The losing streak is due to the team's proprietor Jack Monohan (Steve Brodie) taking bribes from gamblers. The team receives fresh hope in the form of a new player, Mike Connors (Stanley Clements). Mike is an arrogant and self-assured man, who is also Jack's former childhood friend. His talent helps the team regain their formerly winning ways. However, the new star quickly becomes disliked for his egocentric attitude and playing style. Matters worsen when Jack's sister Margaret (Barbara Bestar) becomes attracted in Mike. This romantic interest leads to an out-and-out brawl between the two men. The fight is stopped after a local drifter named Brutus steps in but tragically is stabbed by Mike. The situation takes a turn for the worse when an angered Mike takes a bribe - to throw the extremely important final game - from a gambler named Rocky Gibraltar (Lyle Talbot). During the game, Mike sees sense with the help of a young, admiring fan named Davey (Duncan Richardson). He helps win the game.

White Lightning (1953 film)

Cast

Stanley Clements as Mike Connors

Barbara Bestar as Margaret Monohan

Steve Brodie as Jack Monohan

Gloria Blondell as Ann Garfield

Paul Bryar as Stew Barton

Lyle Talbot as Rocky Gibraltar

Frank Jenks as Benny Brown

Lee Van Cleef as Brutus Allen

Myron Healey as Nelson

Riley Hill as Horwin

Duncan Richardson as Davey

Tom Hanlon as Announcer

John Bleifer as Tailor

Jane Easton as Girl

Jon Andrew as Brutus the handicapped sailor

See also

List of films about ice hockey

References

External links

1953 films

American black-and-white films

Films directed by Edward Bernds

Monogram Pictures films

1950s sports films

American ice hockey films

1950s English-language films

1950s American films

White Lightning (1953 film)