William Haines should have retired before appearing in this dreary film. It has to have been his worst performance. He must have been cast just because his name was still bankable. He had been a good-looking, talented, generally likable actor, but, oy, here he was so childishly silly, it was painful to watch.
He didn't even look good. He was puffy, as if ill. Certainly he looked too old for the character.
The director and a trite script are also to blame, although the director and photographer deserve a lot of credit for the exciting car racing scenes at the Indianapolis track.
Haines' fellow players, especially the adorable and lovely Anita Page, but also Karl Dane, Ernest Torrence, and John Miljan did their best -- which is very good! -- but the predictable story and Haines' performance prevent "Speedway" from being worthwhile.
Remember that William Haines had given some great performances in the past. Maybe you will want to see this just to complete your knowledge of him and his career. When, a few years later, he retired from pictures, he became probably the number one most sought-after interior decorator in Los Angeles.
My favorite William Haines quote: "I can only tell you this -- I would rather have taste than either love or money."
