Three Men on a Horse

Considering this sketch type comedy was released 82 years ago (almost a century ago) it still holds up very well for the millenium babies who should get a kick out of the fast paced and simple story line that even they can keep up with. I know what I speak of as we have three (3) millenials of our own who are more focused on their cell phones text, streaming instantly the latest on the huge facebook privacy breach that contains almost all of their personal information, and marching to the "no guns, no more" campaign.

This simple story has a hard working jingle writer by trade named Erwin Trowbridge (Frank McHugh) capable of picking the winner of each horse race as long as he only plays for fun and does not gamble with any of his own money. Three hard core race track gamblers soon realize that in Erwin Trowbridge they hold the "golden goose" and after each race won by Erwin Trowbridge picking the winner their greed becomes ever more prevalent but we the audience don't know when Erwin Trowbridge's luck may just run out.

Through one of the gansters' acquaintances named Patsy (Sam Levene) Erwin meets a cute blonde moll named Mabel (Joan Blondell) who sees the need to protect Erwin from her violent boyfriend Patsy who is hell bent on threatening his golden goose Erwin if he fails to deliver yet another winning horse as these three comedic and compulsive gambling goons keep doubling up on their bets and continue their win streak.

We the audience can sit back and enjoy this comedic cat and mouse game that continues between the innocence of Erwin and his three hostage holders who refuse to let their golden goose go home, and/or back to what Erwin does best which is writing jingles for a greeting card company. Erwin repeatedly says he justs wants to go home to his loving wife Audrey (Carol Hughes) who rewards Erwin's love by ordering an endless string of dresses and hats, although his pesky brother-in-law Clarence Dobbins (Paul Harvey) is always over at his house defending his little sister and calling Erwin derogatory names.

Erwin's innocence shines through all the troubles he is subjected to and we the fans want to see what poor Erwin will be subjected to next in this laugh fest door opening/door slamming slap fest comedy. If the internet ever goes down for a couple of hours Three Men On A Horse would be an enjoyable way for even millenials to spend a Sunday morning or afternoon. I give this fast paced comedy a good 6 out of 10 rating which is pretty good for a black and white comedy released some 82 years earlier.

This movie at least has a plot and is funny. The only question not answered was why the hero was in the hotel drunk. This would be a great movie to remake for those who love comedy. The only problem with it is the set and that it was made in 1936 before we quit being entertained by the plot instead of special effects. Throw a few special effects in and the movie would be a real winner. For those who like old movies, this is a winner.

A meek & mild fellow, with the uncanny knack of picking winning race horses, is taken in charge by a trio of racketeering gamblers.

Fast-moving & fun, THREE MEN ON A HORSE is another example of the comedy crime picture that Warner Bros. was so expert at producing in the 1930's. Casts & plots could be shuffled endlessly, with very predictable results. While this assembly line approach created few classics, audience enjoyment could usually be assured.

Frank McHugh & Joan Blondell are both well cast in the lead roles, especially Brooklyn-accented Blondell with her unsophisticated charm & pert blonde looks. Interesting thing about the screenplay is that there is absolutely no romantic development between McHugh & Blondell. He remains true to his dimwitted spouse Carol Hughes, while Blondell carries the torch for her bad guy boyfriend Sam Levene.

The rest of the cast is excellent. Guy Kibbee appears as McHugh's bad-tempered blustery boss. Plain talking Allen Jenkins & excitable little Teddy Hart play Levene's gang members. Slow-burning Edgar Kennedy has a good role as the bartender who wants to use McHugh's talents to finance his early retirement. Obnoxious Paul Harvey does very well as McHugh's bullying brother-in-law.

In smaller roles, Eddie ‘Rochester' Anderson scores as a gambling elevator operator; Harry Davenport has one tiny scene as an employee in a greeting card publishing house; and Eily Malyon plays a stern maternity ward nurse. Movie mavens will recognize an unbilled Charles Lane playing a laconic laundry man.

It's very tame and dated, but there are still more than a few chuckles in this comedy concerning a young man (McHugh) who is having marital and work troubles and ties up with gangsters when they find he has the ability to predict winners at the horse racing track. LeRoy directs at a tight, fast paced clip. McHugh was arguably one of the funniest guys in Hollywood for many decades.

In adapting Three Men On A Horse for the screen Jack Warner took a big chance in not having one of his box office leads headline in this film. Instead Three Men On A Horse remains pretty faithful to the Broadway play and gives some of the character people under contract at Warner Brothers a chance to shine on their own. I don't know about you, but personally I like these kind of films where all these performers with a particular shtick get to outdo the other.

The nominal lead is Frank McHugh and it seemed like either he or Alan Hale appeared in every Warner Brothers production of consequence for a while. McHugh plays the typical henpecked milquetoast who does poetry for greeting cards for a living and grossly underpaid for his originality and he has a genius at doping out winning horses. But that's only a hobby, he never bets himself.

But when Damon Runyon like characters Sam Levene, Teddy Hart, and Allen Jenkins find out about his 'hobby' one night in the Hotel Lavalliere Bar, these three gibbronis decide to ride along on a winning thing. They kidnap the poor schlimiel, but treat him ever so gently and cater to his whims which aren't all that much. Along for the ride are Joan Blondell as Levene's girlfriend, Eddie Anderson as the hotel porter and elevator operator and Edgar Kennedy the bartender.

But there's more than that here. Frantically looking for McHugh who's disappeared is his wife, Carol Hughes and his boss Guy Kibbee. And also on the scene is McHugh's brother-in-law Paul Harvey who doesn't think much of him. Actually Harvey's blowhard character is my favorite in this film.

Amazingly enough it all kind of works out for McHugh in the end. But you have to see the film to find out. And I mean HAVE to see the film which is a real treat with some of the best character players ever on screen in the golden age of the studio system all in one film.

And no big stars to get in their way.