Três Homens e um Cavalo

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.

The film definitely has some dated elements...even some humor that in the 30's probably would have been great but today one shrudders at their use.

Nevertheless, the film is great -- Frank McHugh plays a rare principle (which is a travesty since he is extremely funny and steals practically every scene he is in). Allen Jenkins also appears, playing another great hood (but loveable) character that he is so good at.

Watch McHugh's mastery of slight mannerisms that make his shy character come to life.

Old black and white film pros Frank McHugh, Joan Blondell, and Guy Kibbee get together for a caper. we learn two things right at the start of the film: Erwin is GREAT at picking winners in the races. and erwin's brother in law is a pain, who yells and keeps interfering in Erwin and Audrey's marriage. when Charlie (Allen Jenkins) finds out that Erwin can pick winners, they kidnap Erwin and try to keep him locked up. Blondell is the good-hearted moll for the bad guys, and tries to help Erwin. it's silly and campy, and moves right along. Keep an eye out for Charles Lane.. he's the man who picks up the cleaning. for a while, he held the record for the most roles in films. Eddie Anderson (Rochesterrrr !) is in here as the elevator guy. the annoying brother-in-law (Paul Harvey) had worked with Bogart on FIVE films. it's pretty good, but the fake brooklyn accents get annoying after a while. funny scene where the elevator guy is in the room rooting for the winner with the rest of them. directed by Mervyn LeRoy. Gypsy, Wizard of Oz.

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.

Well, Warner Brothers didn't spend much money on this little b-movie, but, the results were very satisfactory. Basically, they filmed a stage play, loaded it with the best character actors, and let them go. If you enjoy witty dialogue, and silly escapism, this is a nice way to spend a few hours.