Risa y dinero

I have not got much to say about this movie as a whole, apart from the fact that it is an okay comedy featuring some great actors such as Edna Mae Oliver, Hugh Herbert, Dorothy Lee and of course Maude Fealy... who is the main reason why i am writing this piece in the first place.

This was Maude Fealy's first talkie movie at the age of 48, it is possibly the biggest role she got in her later movie career and most dialogue recieved. She's seen playing the role of Miss Teasdale, who only appears in a couple of short scenes (I don't think it is made clear on who this character is), but we do get a glimpse of what Maude Fealy really sounded like. Treating us to a minute long scene of her talking.

The no-nonsense wife of a whimsical, unemployed inventor knows it's impossible to LAUGH AND GET RICH.

This mildly amusing little movie is blessed with the talents of two of Hollywood's finest character actors - Miss Edna May Oliver & Mr. Hugh Herbert. As usual , they both give their full effort, wringing all they can out of their lines. Alas, the script gives them scant support, indecisive as to whether it wants to be a domestic comedy or a drama. Much of the time is spent dealing with the characters' financial woes and it is difficult to get many laughs from penury.

But the two leads are worth watching, irregardless, if only for their one wonderful scene, in which an inebriated Oliver & compliant Herbert joyously compel an entire party of stuffy society types to unbend and romp about the room to the music of 'Pop! Goes The Weasel.'

Kewpie doll-cute Dorothy Lee (doubtless on parole from Wheeler & Woolsey) plays their daughter, a young lady replete with all the requisite romantic difficulties. Oliver's boarding house tenants include elderly, deaf Charles Sellon & Italian immigrant George Davis, an artist handicapped by his inability to paint anything but cows.

Movie mavens will recognize teenager Rochelle Hudson at the country club dance and Ivan Lebedeff as the oily Count at the party, both uncredited.

A complete waste of talent. To be fair, there are some comedic moments about 45 minutes into the film, but they are brief.

For lovers of Ms. Oliver and Mr. Herbert (and who isn't?), a must-see. Herbert in this film is not a caricature (as in, e.g., Golddiggers of 1935 -- where he is great) but afully realized and sympathetic human being. Ms/ Oliver is great as usual. Vincentini and his paintings are a wonderful touch! Wonderful Depression=era comedy/drama directed by the talented Gregory LaCava of My Man Godfrey fame.

Times are tough. Sarah Austin (Edna May Oliver) makes ends meet running her home as a boarding house. Her husband Joe (Hugh Herbert) is trying every get-rich scheme in the book. Their daughter Alice (Dorothy Lee) has a crush on poor inventor Larry Owens (Russell Gleason), but her mother keeps pushing her to be with Bill Hepburn (John Harron) from a good family.

This is a pre-Code comedy. Edna May Oliver is the real lead behind the throne. It becomes rather chaotic and more serious than I expected. I was looking for a non-consequential comedy. Ultimately, this is too uneven and not funny enough.