Tornado

Chester Morris is a hard-working coal miner, liked by the men in his crew, and by Gwen Kenyon. He loves showgirl Nancy Kelly, so they get married. Then they discover a vein of coal on some property they own, and he sees the chance to become a rich mine owner. But Miss Kelly's social climbing offends the local gentry.

It's another of the competent moviesproduced by the "Dollar Bills", William Pine and William Thomas, using stories that have been proven winners, and stars, like Morris, a bit past their peak, but still fine performers. This one has something extra to it. Miss Kelly's character shows signs of mental illness, and the characters don't know how to deal with it. Morris is also surprised to discover that the tough mine owner who used to employ his father and him has a social conscience and is willing to help him out in order to give the workers jobs, while his friends are not as reliable in a pinch.

Perhaps that last point appeals to me more than it would to most people, but the cast is up to handling the detail work under competent director William Berke. There's also a very good special effect sequence when the eponymous tornado rages through town. A competent team can always produce a watchable movie. Occasionally, when the stars align, they manage something even better.