The Wild Man of Borneo

Snake-oil salesman Frank Morgan (as J. Daniel "Dan" Thompson) learns a wealthy sister-in law has died. He quits his crooked "Medicine Man" traveling show and goes to live with estranged 18-year-old daughter Mary Howard (as Mary) in her Twin Rapids mansion. Upon arriving, Mr. Morgan discovers Ms. Howard had to sell the furniture. The penniless pair move to a New York (36 East 17th Street) boarding house run by matronly Marjorie Main (as Irma). She and an eccentric group of theatrical supporting players help maintain interesting this farcical story. The writers give it a good sense of setting, with the characters involved in early 1900s theatrical antics. Examples include Morgan being rejected as a leading man for Sarah Bernhardt, appearing as a "black-face" voodoo native, and the development of motion pictures. However, the characters are patchy and the main story is drawn and inconsiderable.

**** The Wild Man of Borneo (1941-01-24) Robert B. Sinclair ~ Frank Morgan, Mary Howard, Billie Burke, Donald Meek

So Frank Morgan (The WIZARD from wizard of oz... a couple years later!) is Thompson, a sideshow con man. when he meets up with his own daughter (Mary Howard), he can't bear to tell her he's broke.... and the daughter herself is so broke, there's no furniture, and no more house. so it has really hit the fan! They end up in a boarding house, and there are some fun co-stars there; Billy Burke (Glenda, the good witch from Wizard!) is Miss Marshall, who owns the house. Marjorie Main (from the Women) is the housekeeper. Donald Meek, in a silly wig, is another odd-ball boarder. a thirty year old comedian Phil Silvers is in here as Murdock. The lies pile up, and Thompson still can't bear to tell his daughter that they are broke. when it all falls apart, Thompson is the stand-up guy, and tries to protect the honor of everyone around. Burke was really married to the great Ziegfeld, Mister Showman! Z had lost all his money in the depression. and died in 1932. Film directed by Robert Sinclair. He met an untimely gruesome death at age 64. The story here moves right along, and is pretty solid; kind of plays like a big long episode of three's company. misunderstandings, coincidences. pretty good. Marj Main has a pretty small part... too bad they didn't use her more. that would have added to the fun.

Film is based on a failed 1927 Broadway play (15 performances) and was bought in 1928 for W.C. Fields. Pity it never got made because the blowhard character was perfect for Fields.

Instead we have Frank Morgan as the blowhard posing as a great actor while living in a theatrical boarding house in New York. He lives with his daughter (Mary Howard) and sparks the romantic interest of the owner of the house (Billie Burke). But he's not an actor; he sells snake oil, elixirs, and cheap soap on street corners.

While the naive daughter becomes involved with another boarder (Dan Dailey), Morgan tries to find work. Be he's piqued the nosy interest of other boarders because of his bragging and outrageous stories and he is discovered playing a "Wild Man of Borneo" in a cheap side show.

Not bad, but you can just hear W.C. Fields snarling out the lines. Co-stars include Donald Meek as Birdo, Connie Gilchrist and Bonita Granville and the mother/daughter boarders, Marjorie Main as the surly cook, Walter Catlett as Skelby, and Phil Silvers the side show barker.

This movie is filled with MGM bit players, like Donald Meek - in a very unpleasant role - plus two supporting actors: Billie Burke and Frank Morgan, both of whom did better work elsewhere. Actually, that can probably be said of everyone in this picture. The story, such as it is, just keeps mosying along, and the end comes as rather a surprise, and a downer at that. I can see why the movie would not have been a success.

I can't really recommend most of it. But there is a scene between Morgan and Burke near the end that is a masterpiece of line delivery in its own understated way. These two actors - and they were indeed both fine actors - deliver their lines very quietly, but very beautifully. The text is nothing special, but their way of delivering it is.

It's not a long movie - less than 90 minutes. And it's not bad. It's just sort of directionless, with several unappealing characters.

This simple little film features Frank Morgan playing his typical flim-flam man role. Morgan was one of the best at portraying a bragging, self important grifter who was never at a loss for words when playing one of his con games. In this film he is a good hearted but under achieving father who desperately wants to provide a good life for his grown up daughter. He meets many obstacles along the way but also receives help from some old friends who, obviously, are very fond of him. One caution: Bonita Granville plays an obnoxious bratty young teen ager who never lets up throughout the entire film. Her performance caused me to almost bail out and change the channel on a couple of occasions. Her performance is pretty hard to take. But, all in all, if you have some spare time and wish to spend it watching a simple little "puff" piece, you may enjoy this film.