Lightnin' | 1930 | Comedy

Title: Lightnin' | 1930 | Comedy Director: Henry King Studio: Fox Film Corporation Starring: Will Rogers, Louise Dresser, Joel McCrea, Helen Cohan, Jason Robards Sr., Luke Cosgrave, J. M. Kerrigan, Ruth Warren, Sharon Lynn, Joyce Compton, Rex Bell Based on: Play *Lightnin’* by Winchell Smith and Frank Bacon Release Date: December 7 1930 Runtime: 96 minutes Format: Black and white with sound Country: United States Language: English Genres: Comedy Drama --- Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction at the border hotel 00:15:00 Lightnin’ and Mary’s hotel life 00:30:00 Divorce seekers and quirky guests 00:45:00 Crooks attempt to buy the hotel 01:00:00 Marriage conflict and resolution 01:15:00 Heart-to-heart talk and reconciliation --- Summary: Lightnin’ is a 1930 American pre-Code comedy drama starring Will Rogers as “Lightnin’” Bill Jones, a genial co-owner of a hotel straddling the California-Nevada border where couples establish quick divorce residency. When unscrupulous outsiders attempt to buy the property, Lightnin’ and his wife Mary confront both legal and personal challenges. Through humor, heartfelt moments, and down-home wisdom, Lightnin’ helps a young couple reconcile and ultimately reinforces the bonds of his own marriage. The narrative blends character-driven comedy with themes of love, loyalty, and the quirks of small-town life, reflecting Will Rogers’s trademark folksy charm and observational humor. --- Background: Directed by Henry King and adapted for the screen by S. N. Behrman and Sonya Levien, Lightnin’ was produced by Fox Film Corporation as a sound remake of the 1925 silent adaptation of the same play. Filmed on location around Lake Tahoe, the movie utilized Rogers’s star persona to bring warmth and wit to the story’s exploration of marriage and community. --- Trivia: Will Rogers’s performance as Lightnin’ showcased his signature humor and conversational style. The 1930 version was a sound remake of a 1925 silent film directed by John Ford based on the same popular play. Joel McCrea appears early in his career in a supporting role. The movie’s setting at a divorce-friendly border hotel offered a comedic backdrop for social commentary on marriage norms. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: December 7 1930 Original Studio / Distributor: Fox Film Corporation Copyright Status: Public Domain Renewal: Not applicable --- Hashtags: #Lightnin1930 #WillRogers #HenryKing #ClassicComedy #PublicDomain #EarlySoundFilm