Pop Always Pays

Jeff Thompson (Dennis O'Keefe) is a free-spender. His girlfriend Edna Brewster (Pamela Blake) reminds him that he needs to save money if they are to marry. Her father Henry Brewster (Leon Errol) refuses to give his permission unless Jeff can save $1000.

$1k in 1940 is equivalent to $23k today. It certainly isn't pocket change unless he has a high paying job. This is a comedy about counting cash. At some point, I lost the thread. I couldn't feel the comedy. It starts with the nickel quarter con. If he tries that in real life, he's getting knocked out. He's not necessarily right either. It depends on where you place the comma. That gag lost me and everything else after that.

WE JUST SCREENED this RKO potboiler today. Prior to that time, we never heard of it; although star Leon Errol has been familiar to us for some time now. Back in the early 1970's, Chicago TV station, Channel 32, WFLD TV (Now a Fox subsidiary) would alternate the showing of RKO sound comedies that featured LEON ERROL with those in EDGAR KENNEDY's series on different afternoons.

THIS FEATURE WAS essentially an extension of the 2 reelers that Mr. Errol had done during that period; which both exploited the existing screen character & familiarity, but also provided a short "B" picture to fill out the then popular Double Feature packaging to movie house operators.

THE ADDITION OF an expanded cast did help to transform in l-e-n-g-t-h-e-n-I-n-g the story from 2 reeler to short feature. Those included were: Dennis O'Keefe, Pamela Blake, Marjore Gleason and (curiously) Erskine Sanford (late of CITIZEN KANE). Unbilled Frank Faylen as loan company clerk along with Tom Kennedy and Walter Catlett provide great foils for Leon.

THE PRINT THAT was run on Turner Classic Television (though distributed by Warner Brothers TV)was that bearing the umbrella title of "MOVIETIME USA". That was the name used by RKO circa 1958 when +C & C Television Corp." released hundreds of old RKO RADIO Pictures features to the local TV stations. Until recently, WLS TV Channel 7 ran many of these movies on their late night weekend schedules. These included mostly unknown and forgettable titles, but also the likes of KING KONG, THE INFORMER and even CITIZEN KANE!

This movie is another one of those "tours de force" for Leon Erroll. He can, at times be a very funny man. Unfortunately, at other times, he is simply nerve wracking and annoying. IMHO it's split about 50-50 in this film. Erroll has promised his daughter and her fiancee that if the fiancee is able to save $1000, he will give them an additional $1000. But, for reasons that are never adequately explained and are rather far fetched, Erroll suddenly becomes cash poor and will not be able to come up with the additional $1000. Of course all of this leads to a series of deceptions and mix ups as Erroll frantically tries to obtain the money without having to tell his family of his financial situation. If you are a fan of Leon Erroll you will probably enjoy this picture. All others should be warned that there are several scenes that will test your' patience and your' nerves. BTW, the family maid and the next door neighbor are both extremely obnoxious and very grating characters.