Born to Be Wild
“GANGLAND RIDES the HIGHWAY! (original poster)”
Synopsis
Truck drivers Steve Hackett and Bill Purvis are fired from their jobs with the West Coast Trucking company for not using second-gear going down steep grades. Davis, the company vice-president, surprisingly asks them to carry a load of merchandise to Arrowhead and offers a $1000 bonus. He tells them it is a load of lettuce. Several miles out of Los Angelese, they are stopped by a mob of lettuce-farm workers on strike. When the first crate is tossed off the truck, it explodes and the two pals learn their merchandise is a cargo of dynamite. The workers let them proceed and they crash into a car driven by Mary Stevens, whom they had met at a restaurant. She and her dog, "Butch" (played by a Credited dog named Stooge), join them and they deliver their cargo, and learn unscrupulous real-estate operators have jammed the locks on the dam in order to ruin the ranchers and farmers and take over their property.
Top Cast
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Ralph Byrd
Steve Hackett
Doris Weston
Mary Stevens
Ward Bond
Bill Purvis
Robert Emmett Keane
J. Stearns Davis
Ben Hewlett
Wilson
Charles Williams
Company Spotter
Davison Clark
Stranger
Byron Foulger
Husband
George Anderson
Mayor
Edwin Stanley
Randolph
Ben Hendricks Jr.
Deputy
Sterlita Peluffo
Manuela
Lew Kelly
Reilly, Diner Counterman
Harrison Greene
J. Carroll Malloy
George Magrill
Hank
Anna Demetrio
Cristobella
Sam Appel
Mexican Waiter (uncredited)
Stanley Blystone
Henchman (uncredited)
Release History & Theatrical Window
February 16, 1938
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Joseph Kane
- Screenplay & Story
- Nathanael West
- Original Title
- Born to Be Wild
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 6m
- Production Studios
- Republic Pictures
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Joseph Kane
Nathanael West
Department Leadership Roster
Joseph Kane
Director
Nathanael West
Screenplay
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
NR: Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Parental Guidance Suggested.
Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Born to Be Wild.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Born to Be Wild
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Born to Be Wild about?
Truck drivers Steve Hackett and Bill Purvis are fired from their jobs with the West Coast Trucking company for not using second-gear going down steep grades. Davis, the company vice-president, surprisingly asks them to carry a load of merchandise to Arrowhead and offers a $1000 bonus. He tells them it is a load of lettuce. Several miles out of Los Angelese, they are stopped by a mob of lettuce-farm workers on strike. When the first crate is tossed off the truck, it explodes and the two pals learn their merchandise is a cargo of dynamite. The workers let them proceed and they crash into a car driven by Mary Stevens, whom they had met at a restaurant. She and her dog, "Butch" (played by a Credited dog named Stooge), join them and they deliver their cargo, and learn unscrupulous real-estate operators have jammed the locks on the dam in order to ruin the ranchers and farmers and take over their property.
Who directed Born to Be Wild?
Born to Be Wild was directed by Joseph Kane.
Who stars in Born to Be Wild?
The principal cast of Born to Be Wild includes Ralph Byrd, Doris Weston, Ward Bond, Robert Emmett Keane, Ben Hewlett.
When was Born to Be Wild released and how long is it?
Born to Be Wild was released in 1938 with a total runtime of 1h 6m.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Born to Be Wild?
Born to Be Wild holds official age classifications: CA: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested.); US: NR (Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.).