Is Red Lights Ahead Worth Watching?
Honest Review & Verdict (1936)

📖 The Core Premise

Red Lights Ahead returns to the screen in 1936, bringing a fresh narrative to the Family, Comedy genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "A family loses its collective head going from rags to riches in this low-budget comedy from also-ran studio Chesterfield. Former slapstick comedian Andy Clyde starred as Grandpa Tom Hopkins who, after selling his junk business, moves in with daughter Molly (Lucille Gleason), her husband Ed (Roger Imhof), and their children Mary (Ann Doran), Edna (Paula Stone), George (Ben Alexander, and Willie (Frank Coghlan Jr.). Ed, who is a member of the town lodge "the Whales," is persuaded by Whitney (Sam Flint) the "Grand Harpoon," to buy $5,000 worth of shares in a promising gold mine, mortgaging the family home to do so. Soon the family is rich and everyone except Molly takes on airs."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In Red Lights Ahead, Andy Clyde delivers a performance that attempts to elevate the material. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Family. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Red Lights Ahead worth your time? If you appreciate Family, Comedy films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Red Lights Ahead is a mixed bag to the genre. With a runtime of 70 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.