Hot Money (1935) User Reviews

Amusing comedy short is brief and to the point...

[Doylenf · 6/10 · 30 August 2010]

PATSY KELLY is a bit more brash than usual as THELMA TODD's roommate, informed by their landlord that unless they pay the rent that evening he'll have to evict them.

Kelly rubs an Aladdin's lamp and asks for $50,000 but instead of a genie a criminal with hot money in his hands drops off the loot in the sum of $50,000 at their apartment until he can return to collect it. Naturally, Kelly thinks it's a way to pay the landlord and flee with the cash. Todd isn't sure what to do, and always comes up with the line that she has to "take a rest and think about it." It's an amusing caper, totally improbable as most of these screwball shorts always were, but good for a few laughs.

Shown on TCM as part of a tribute to Thelma Todd, it's an example of her flair for comedy in the '30s before her untimely and controversial death.

I agree with Michael Elliott...

[planktonrules · 5/10 · 7 September 2010]

I noticed in Michael Elliott's review that he felt that Patsy Kelly could be funny but she was also quite often abrasive and annoying. Well, I couldn't agree more and assume her rather obnoxious persona was much of the reason she isn't more well-known today. As for her partner in these Hal Roach films, Thelma Todd, she was incredibly bland in most of these films and I doubt if they would have made a lot more of these films even if Miss Todd hadn't died under somewhat mysterious circumstances soon after completing this film. I mean no disrespect, but the fact is that their films were never the equal to the premier talent at the studio--Laurel & Hardy and Charley Chase. And, it seems like Kelly & Todd (as well as the earlier teaming of Zasu Pitts & Todd) got the cast-off scripts that weren't good enough for these comedians.

The plot to this film is very contrived. While Patsy and Thelma are at home in their apartment bemoaning their fate that they can't afford to pay the rent, a thief bursts into their room and leaves a huge wad of money with them--asking them to hold it until (and IF) he returns. Moments later, the crook is gunned down and the ladies hope to escape with the loot. But, when they are caught by the cops, problems develop--starting with the body which has mysteriously disappeared--and re-appears in their apartment! However, the biggest mystery to me is how stupid the cops are in this film! What will happen to our two annoying leading ladies? Tune in and see for yourself...if you care! Overall, this one isn't bad at all...but it's also not really funny! As a result, it's a decent time-passer but don't bother trying to figure out why this team was created in the first place...that's a mystery for the ages!

Once again the Official Propaganda Arm . . .

[oscaralbert · 5/10 · 15 December 2018]

. . . of the USA's devious Fat Cat One Per Center Class try to bamboozle the Public into believing that ANY financial windfall can NEVER belong to the "Little People." From the title card for HOT MONEY, this nefarious Bellowing Cat film outfit strives to tell We True Blue Loyal Patriotic Normal Average Silent Majority 99 Per Center Progressive Union Label Citizens that IF a bag of gold coins bounces off the back of a money truck, we should immediately turn it over to the Rich People's Police, and pray that someone remembers to give us a five-buck "reward" (to help defray the cost of the back brace we now need after straining our self by lifting all that gold). Though the $50,000 money belt the nitwits receive during HOT MONEY may not weight as much as a sack of gold, the many greedy misers behind this live-action short try to make it seem equally radioactive. "Money is for Rich People," is their constant refrain, "and we'll allow YOU enough only to put the crusts of bread on your table necessary to enable you to keep showing up at OUR building to 'earn' the slave wages we dole out to you." Notice that the two floozies do not get to keep a cent of the HOT MONEY!

Funny Hal Roach Short

[Kalaman · 25 September 2003]

"Hot Money" is a funny and likable Hal Roach short comedy starring Patsy Kelly & Thelma Todd, directed James W. Horne. A runaway thief dumps large of amount money on Kelly & Todd's apartment. The police are searching their room where the thief is hiding somewhere. Kelly as the dumb brunette gets mad and yells most of the time; Thelma Todd as the smart blonde is a bit restrained and understanding.

A harmless fun and a must if you like classic short comedies.

For Patsie and Thelma Fans Only

[verbusen · 4/10 · 31 August 2010]

The funniest parts of this short are strictly with the bad cops. It's forgettable otherwise except if you want to watch it as a Hal Roach, Patsy, or Thelma fan. The gags and story are very predictable and have been played a million times for several decades. Kind of like watching a comedy team that's past their prime although these two gals were just starting out. The material is not very good that they are working with.

It could have used some outrageous slapstick special effects ala Laurel and Hardy, Little Rascals type to make it more funny.

OK to watch, not totally horrible but definitely nothing special. I wrote this review while it was playing and didn't miss anything. I watched another Hal Roach short (Soup and Fish) they did and it was likewise nothing special but slightly funnier about the two working girls crashing a high society party. Like another reviewer said, TCM shows it.

Oh FYI, if you like the theme music (most recognized for The Little Rascals), it has been resurrected by a band called The Beau Hunks, check them out on Amazon and Youtube, good stuff!

4 of 10

A Few Laughs

[Michael_Elliott · 26 February 2008]

Hot Money (1935)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Hal Roach short with Thelma Todd and Patsy Kelly. In the film the two girls are about to be kicked out of their apartment but that's until a thief enters their room and drops off $50,000. Todd is a favorite of mine and she delivers plenty of laughs but I've always had a problem with Kelly. She can be a funny woman and has several funny moments here but when she goes off on her "tough girl" act, it gets rather annoying. She has several annoying moments here that keep this from being better.

As of now these Roach shorts aren't on DVD but Turner Classic Movies plays them once in a while.