... given that two of the great comic character actors of the 1930s were in starring roles - James Gleason and Zasu Pitts as Jimmy and Belle McGill, middle class married couple and owners of a diner where Jimmy happily presides every day. They have a daughter, Jane (Margaret Calahan) who is in love with a guy who works at the car wash. Oddly they call it an "auto laundry", which was maybe another name for it 80 years ago.
At any rate, the McGills don't want their daughter to marry a fellow who is just working at a car wash. Jane says he intends to buy the place, and they give their blessings if that happens. The problem is, he only has 200 dollars of the 2000 he needs. Now this is where two problems collide. Jimmy has a thing for horse racing. He's not a compulsive gambler as much as he is just fascinated with the entire endeavor. So Jimmy promises their daughter's fiancé that if he gives him the two hundred he has, he'll find a sure thing at the track, bet the money, and run the two hundred into the two thousand he needs.
Now Jimmy does this like an exact science. He isolates himself off in a room, lays out papers and research on the horses and comes to a decision. His decision is right...BUT, at the last minute he ignores his instincts and bets on another horse. His original choice that he did not bet on wins. So now he feels obligated to use his own money since he lost the money of his future son in law. This is where the hijinks begin.
For two days, Jimmy is doing all sorts of things to get the money he needs to bet on Honey Girl, a new horse running at the track. Problem is Honey Girl's owner isn't exactly good with money, and debtors keep putting a lien against the horse, keeping her from running, so Jimmy is having to cover those financial problems too. It isn't long until he is involved in mortgaging everything he owns - sometimes twice - and writing bad checks to get this horse and his money into the race. If he succeeds - prosperity. If he fails - prison.
Now this sounds like the stuff of tragedy, but everybody involved is so ridiculous and farcical it comes off completely as comedy. The other big problem? Jimmy never bothered to tell his wife about any of this - the original bet, the larceny to recover the original money, nothing. As a result he doesn't come home for two days and his wife is ready to divorce him. How will this all work out? Watch and find out.
Why did I give this only a five? Because Zasu is off by herself being as funny as she can be given the situation, but she really doesn't have that many comic moments to play off of. Likewise, James Gleason is funny, but would have been funnier if he had someone of comparable talent - like Zasu - to play off of. The script just doesn't give him that opportunity since the two are apart for most of the film.
If you like the actors I'd recommend it. Otherwise it is probably a fifty fifty proposition that you'll enjoy it.
At any rate, the McGills don't want their daughter to marry a fellow who is just working at a car wash. Jane says he intends to buy the place, and they give their blessings if that happens. The problem is, he only has 200 dollars of the 2000 he needs. Now this is where two problems collide. Jimmy has a thing for horse racing. He's not a compulsive gambler as much as he is just fascinated with the entire endeavor. So Jimmy promises their daughter's fiancé that if he gives him the two hundred he has, he'll find a sure thing at the track, bet the money, and run the two hundred into the two thousand he needs.
Now Jimmy does this like an exact science. He isolates himself off in a room, lays out papers and research on the horses and comes to a decision. His decision is right...BUT, at the last minute he ignores his instincts and bets on another horse. His original choice that he did not bet on wins. So now he feels obligated to use his own money since he lost the money of his future son in law. This is where the hijinks begin.
For two days, Jimmy is doing all sorts of things to get the money he needs to bet on Honey Girl, a new horse running at the track. Problem is Honey Girl's owner isn't exactly good with money, and debtors keep putting a lien against the horse, keeping her from running, so Jimmy is having to cover those financial problems too. It isn't long until he is involved in mortgaging everything he owns - sometimes twice - and writing bad checks to get this horse and his money into the race. If he succeeds - prosperity. If he fails - prison.
Now this sounds like the stuff of tragedy, but everybody involved is so ridiculous and farcical it comes off completely as comedy. The other big problem? Jimmy never bothered to tell his wife about any of this - the original bet, the larceny to recover the original money, nothing. As a result he doesn't come home for two days and his wife is ready to divorce him. How will this all work out? Watch and find out.
Why did I give this only a five? Because Zasu is off by herself being as funny as she can be given the situation, but she really doesn't have that many comic moments to play off of. Likewise, James Gleason is funny, but would have been funnier if he had someone of comparable talent - like Zasu - to play off of. The script just doesn't give him that opportunity since the two are apart for most of the film.
If you like the actors I'd recommend it. Otherwise it is probably a fifty fifty proposition that you'll enjoy it.