Preceded by shorts:Barney Oldfield's Race for a Life (Mack Sennet, 1913). Famed speedster Oldfield races a train to save the helpless Mabel Normand tied perilessly to the tracks. (c. 10 mins, Silent with music track, B&W, 16mm, From Em Gee).Over the Top (1918). A 1918 Buick makes it up and over the Sierras in this historic race to Reno. (9 mins, Silent with music track, B&W, 16mm, Courtesy of Russell Merritt)Director Hawks was no newcomer to the squeal of tires. He had raced cars himself and would cap off a grand career with yet another racing film, Red Line 7000. In The Crowd Roars, James Cagney plays Joe Greer, a strong-willed Indie driver troubled by his younger brother's desire to get into the racing world. Though overly reckless himself, Greer attempts to protect his speedy sibling (Eric Linden) from the seamier side of racing. This extends to his self-righteous effort to chase away a very sassy Joan Blondell. Being pure of heart and speed, the young Greer goes on to great success while his brother hits the skids. Their showdown takes place on the concrete apron at Indianapolis. For the making of The Crowd Roars, Hawks brought together some great Indie drivers, including William Arnold, Fred Frame, Billy Arnold, and Stubby Stubblefield. The Duesenberg brothers supplied many of the cars-those that weren't Miller powered-and devised a special tow bar to help choreograph the high-speed crashes. From dirt tracks to night racing, Hawks looks at the racing milieu with high rev(erence).-Steve Seid