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Steve Prefontaine was he really that obnoxious and difficult to like? Love life didn't help film

Steve Prefontaine was an amazingly gifted athlete, so I am not surprised there are two movies about his short life. It's pretty amazing that they both came out at about the same time...but not surprising there were made. Of the two, "Without Limits" is the higher rated.

As I watched the movie, I noticed two things. First, yes, he was very gifted. Second, when he isn't competing, there's a lot NOT to like about the guy. He is portrayed as arrogant, difficult to coach and kind of a jerk. Whether this is the real Steve Prefontaine, I have no idea...and I couldn't find any information about this online. In hindsight, I think the film would have worked better if it had less of the romance and arrogance and more of the great athlete he was.

It's a shame really, as the acting is good and they went to the trouble of actually going to Prefontaine's alma mater to film the story. It has a lot going for it...and a lot which left me wondering why they chose to portray him the way they did.

"A Strange Adventure" is a 1930s B-movie with a very standard plot...in fact, hundreds of similar films were made during that decade. Because of this, fans of 1930s films might just feel underwhelmed by it...a case of 'been there, done that'.

A rich guy has brought all his hated family to his home to discuss his will and sign a new one. However, as he is signing, he collapses and a knife is found plunged into his chest...yet no one seemed to see who did it. A police detective (Regis Toomey) arrives to investigate and he brings along a couple dopey cops to help. Additionally, a spunky female reporter shows up and she just happens to be the detective's girlfriend.

As I said in the summary, pretty much all the usual cliches of these sorts of movies are present. Because of this, there are very few surprises. Additionally, much of the acting and dialog are on the cheesy side. As a result, it's not a film I'd recommend unless you want a simple, no demand time-passer.

By the way, Fred 'Snowflake' Toones appears in this one as comic relief. An adult man called 'Snowflake' and his antics (mostly being afraid of everything) are a sad sign of the times...when laughing at childish black men was considered not only acceptable but fun.

Rex Lease was a cowboy star who is mostly forgotten today. Part of it is that his characters lacked the charisma of the later singing cowboys like Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. Part of it also is likely due to many of his films being silents. However, "The Utah Kid" is one of his later talking pictures.

When the story begins, outlaw Cal Reynolds (Lease) is on the run from the law. He is able to eventually meet up with a criminal gang where he is welcomed. However, after the gang capture a young woman, Cal tells them she's his fiancee in order to save her from the slobbering gang members. But they call his bluff...forcing him to marry her. Little do any of them know that she is actually the Sheriff's girlfriend! What's next? Well, a lot of punching and lovin'...and more.

This is a very brief B-picture, running at only 45 minutes. It could be that the film was trimmed to that length, but it's just as likely it was always 45 minutes, as some Bs were that brief.

So is it any good? Well, it's okay...neither bad nor good. Lease certainly ain't a pretty singing cowboy but he is realistic in is subdued performance. As for the story, it's decent and interesting. Plus, the short run time prevents you from being bored! Worth seeing but far from a must-see.

By the way, Boris Karloff plays a henchman in the film but you'd hardly recognize him unless you are paying attention. It's not that he's barely in the movie (he's in quite a bit) but his part and his acting are a bit on the subdued side.