Watch Heat Lightning

Heat Lightning is a classic drama movie from the 1930s. Directed by Mervyn LeRoy, it stars Aline MacMahon, Ann Dvorak, and Preston Foster in the leading roles. The movie tells the story of two sisters, Olga and Myra, who run a gas station in the middle of nowhere, in the desert of California. Olga is the older sister, and she's tough, no-nonsense, and pragmatic. She's the one who runs the gas station and takes care of the customers while Myra is the younger sister, and she's more dreamy, fanciful, and romantic. She spends most of her time reading books, daydreaming, and longing for a better life.

The movie begins with Olga and Myra arguing about their future. Myra wants to leave the gas station and go to New York City to start a new life, but Olga wants to keep things as they are. She's content with their life and doesn't see the point of taking risks or chasing dreams.

One day, a strange man named George comes to the gas station, looking for a drink of water. Olga is suspicious of him, but Myra is fascinated by him. George is charming, handsome, and mysterious, and he tells Myra that he's a world traveler, a writer, and a lover of adventure.

Myra falls for George and invites him to stay at the gas station for a few days. Olga is not happy about it, but she grudgingly accepts. However, George's presence soon causes trouble. He flirts with Myra, tries to sell stolen jewelry to the customers, and gets into a fight with a local tough guy.

Meanwhile, a group of bank robbers is on the loose in the area, and the police are looking for them. Olga is worried about their safety, but Myra is more interested in George's stories and his promise of a better life. She starts to see George as her savior, her ticket to a new world of excitement and adventure.

As the movie goes on, tensions rise, and the relationships between the characters become more complicated. Olga and Myra start to reveal their secrets and their true feelings, and George's true identity is finally revealed.

Heat Lightning is a compelling, well-crafted movie that explores timeless themes of love, family, ambition, and betrayal. The characters are well-drawn, and the acting is superb, especially from Aline MacMahon as Olga, who delivers a powerful and nuanced performance as a woman torn between her love for her sister and her fear of the unknown.

The movie's visual style is also impressive, with beautiful cinematography that captures the desolate beauty of the desert landscape and the starkness of the gas station. The use of light and shadow is particularly impressive, creating a moody and atmospheric tone that adds to the movie's sense of tension and drama.

Overall, Heat Lightning is a movie that stands the test of time. It's a gripping and emotionally satisfying drama that showcases the best of 1930s Hollywood. If you're a fan of classic movies or just looking for a great story, this is one movie you shouldn't miss.

Heat Lightning is a 1934 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 3 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.