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{{short description|1931 film directed by Gregory La Cava}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{italic title}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = Laugh and Get Rich
| name = Laugh and Get Rich
| image = LaughAndGetRichPoster.jpg
| image = LaughAndGetRichPoster.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| caption = theatrical release poster
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| film name =
| native_name =
| director = [[Gregory La Cava]]<ref name=Theiapolis>{{cite web|url=http://cinema.theiapolis.com/movie-2N99/laugh-and-get-rich|title=Laugh and Get Rich: Technical Details|publisher=theiapolis.com|accessdate=August 18, 2014}}</ref>
| director = [[Gregory La Cava]]<ref name=Theiapolis>{{cite web|url=http://cinema.theiapolis.com/movie-2N99/laugh-and-get-rich|title=Laugh and Get Rich: Technical Details|publisher=theiapolis.com|access-date=August 18, 2014}}</ref>
| producer = [[William LeBaron]]<ref name=TCM>{{cite web|url=http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/2023/Laugh-and-Get-Rich|title=Laugh and Get Rich, Credits|publisher=Turner Classic Movies |deadurl=no |accessdate=December 2, 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150306041523/http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/2023/Laugh-and-Get-Rich/|archivedate=March 6, 2015}}</ref>
| producer = [[William LeBaron]]<ref name=TCM>{{cite web|url=http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/2023/Laugh-and-Get-Rich|title=Laugh and Get Rich, Credits|publisher=Turner Classic Movies |url-status=live |access-date=December 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150306041523/http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/2023/Laugh-and-Get-Rich/|archive-date=March 6, 2015}}</ref>
| writer = Douglas MacLean<ref name=AFI/><br>[[Ralph Spence (screenwriter)|Ralph Spence]] ''(dialogue)''
| writer = Douglas MacLean<ref name=AFI/><br>[[Ralph Spence (screenwriter)|Ralph Spence]] ''(dialogue)''
| screenplay = Gregory La Cava
| screenplay = Gregory La Cava
| starring = [[Edna May Oliver]]<br>[[Hugh Herbert]]<br>[[Dorothy Lee (actress)|Dorothy Lee]]<br>[[Russell Gleason]]
| starring = [[Edna May Oliver]]<br>[[Hugh Herbert]]<br>[[Dorothy Lee (actress)|Dorothy Lee]]<br>[[Russell Gleason]]
| music =
| music =
| cinematography = [[Jack MacKenzie]]<ref name=TCM/>
| cinematography = [[Jack MacKenzie (cinematographer)|Jack MacKenzie]]<ref name=TCM/>
| editing = [[Jack Kitchin]]<ref name=TCM/>
| editing = [[Jack Kitchin]]<ref name=TCM/>
| studio = [[RKO Pictures|RKO Radio Pictures]]<ref name=RKO>{{cite book|title=The RKO Story|last1=Jewell|first1=Richard B.|last2=Harbin|first2=Vernon|publisher=Arlington House|year=1982|place=New York|page=36|ISBN=0-517-546566}}</ref>
| studio = [[RKO Pictures|RKO Radio Pictures]]<ref name=RKO>{{cite book|title=The RKO Story|last1=Jewell|first1=Richard B.|last2=Harbin|first2=Vernon|publisher=Arlington House|year=1982|place=New York|page=36|isbn=0-517-546566}}</ref>
| distributor = RKO Radio Pictures
| distributor = RKO Radio Pictures
| released = {{Film date|1931|3|27|''NYC''|1931|4|20|''US''|ref1=<ref name=AFI>{{cite web|url=http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=4843|title=Laugh and Get Rich: Detail View|publisher=American Film Institute |deadurl=no |accessdate=December 2, 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329072753/http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=4843|archivedate=March 29, 2014}}</ref>|ref2=<ref name=AFI />}}
| released = {{Film date|1931|3|27|''NYC''|1931|4|20|''US''|ref1=<ref name=AFI>{{cite web|url=http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=4843|title=Laugh and Get Rich: Detail View|publisher=American Film Institute |url-status=live |access-date=December 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329072753/http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=4843|archive-date=March 29, 2014}}</ref>|ref2=<ref name=AFI />}}
| runtime = 72 minutes
| runtime = 72 minutes
| country = United States
| country = United States
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}}
}}


'''''Laugh and Get Rich''''' is a 1931 [[Pre-Code Hollywood|Pre-Code]] American [[comedy film]], directed by [[Gregory La Cava]], from a screenplay he also wrote with contributions from [[Douglas MacLean]], who also was the associate producer, and [[Ralph Spence (screenwriter)|Ralph Spence]]. The film stars [[Edna May Oliver]], [[Hugh Herbert]], and Russell Gleason, and revolves around the antics in a boarding house in the early 1930s, run by Oliver, and the complications caused by her husband.
'''''Laugh and Get Rich''''' is a 1931 [[Pre-Code Hollywood|pre-Code]] American [[comedy film]], directed by [[Gregory La Cava]], from a screenplay he also wrote with contributions from [[Douglas MacLean]], who also was the associate producer, and [[Ralph Spence (screenwriter)|Ralph Spence]]. The film stars [[Dorothy Lee (actress)|Dorothy Lee]], [[Edna May Oliver]], [[Hugh Herbert]], and Russell Gleason, and revolves around the antics in a boarding house in the early 1930s, run by Oliver, and the complications caused by her husband.


==Plot==
==Plot==
Line 32: Line 32:
Sarah's illusions about Bill, however, are dashed when Bill kidnaps Joe, whom he mistakes for Mr. Pennypacker. Shortly after this, Joe takes Sarah's life savings, which she has hidden in a lamp, and invests it in an oil well, conned into it by one of Sarah's boarders, Mr. Phelps ([[Robert Emmett Keane]]). When Sarah finds out, she is furious, so Joe goes out and takes a job as a ditch digger. However, much to everyone's surprise, the oil well actually strikes oil. Believing that they are rich, Sarah and Joe go visit Sarah's sister, Cassie Palfrey (Louise Mackintosh), who lives in an estate on Long Island.
Sarah's illusions about Bill, however, are dashed when Bill kidnaps Joe, whom he mistakes for Mr. Pennypacker. Shortly after this, Joe takes Sarah's life savings, which she has hidden in a lamp, and invests it in an oil well, conned into it by one of Sarah's boarders, Mr. Phelps ([[Robert Emmett Keane]]). When Sarah finds out, she is furious, so Joe goes out and takes a job as a ditch digger. However, much to everyone's surprise, the oil well actually strikes oil. Believing that they are rich, Sarah and Joe go visit Sarah's sister, Cassie Palfrey (Louise Mackintosh), who lives in an estate on Long Island.


While there, the oil well runs dry, and their newfound wealth evaporates. However, all is not lost, as they find out that one of Joe's inventions, a tire valve, has attracted an investor, and they will be making over $50,000 per year off the invention, a veritable fortune in 1931.
While there, the oil well runs dry, and their newfound wealth evaporates. However, all is not lost, as they find out that one of Larry's inventions (which Joe has promoted), a tire valve, has attracted an investor, and they will be making over $50,000 per year off the invention, a veritable fortune in 1931.


==Cast==
==Cast==
Line 49: Line 49:
* [[Ivan Lebedeff]] as The Count
* [[Ivan Lebedeff]] as The Count


⚫
<small>Source:Cast list as per [[American Film Institute|AFI]] database, and Theiapolis.com<ref name=Theiapolis/><ref name=AFI/></small>

⚫
'''<small>Source:Cast list as per [[American Film Institute|AFI]] database, and Theiapolis.com<ref name=Theiapolis/><ref name=AFI/></small>'''


==Production==
==Production==
Line 56: Line 55:


==Reception==
==Reception==
[[Mordaunt Hall]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' gave the film a good review, calling it, "...a pleasant little comedy of boarding house life, distinguished by the performance of Edna May Oliver as the head of the establishment."<ref name=nyt>{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9802E4DE143BE433A2575BC2A9659C946094D6CF|publisher=[[The New York Times]]|last=Hall|first=Mordaunt|authorlink=Mordaunt Hall|title=Laugh and Get Rich: A Boarding House Farce|date=March 28, 1931|accessdate=August 18, 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9802E4DE143BE433A2575BC2A9659C946094D6CF|archivedate=December 8, 2013}}</ref>
[[Mordaunt Hall]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' gave the film a good review, calling it, "...a pleasant little comedy of boarding house life, distinguished by the performance of Edna May Oliver as the head of the establishment."<ref name=nyt>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9802E4DE143BE433A2575BC2A9659C946094D6CF|work=[[The New York Times]]|last=Hall|first=Mordaunt|authorlink=Mordaunt Hall|title=Laugh and Get Rich: A Boarding House Farce|date=March 28, 1931 |url-status=live |access-date=December 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208132407/http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9802E4DE143BE433A2575BC2A9659C946094D6CF |archive-date=December 8, 2013}}</ref>


''Silver Screen'' magazine gave it a good, but not great, review, stating the film was "... a nice homey comedy ..." which was "entertaining, but not a laugh riot", and praised Herbert, but were less impressed by Oliver.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Silver Screen|date=September 1931|page=66|title=Talkies in Tabloid: Laugh and Get Rich|accessdate=August 28, 2014|url=https://archive.org/stream/silverscreen01unse#page/n653/mode/2up/search/%22Laugh+and+Get+Rich%22}}</ref> ''[[Photoplay]]'' was a bit kinder, complimenting both Herbert and Oliver, and saying that the film was "Good for plenty of laughs", and that audience members would be "... agreeably surprised at the newness of the treatment and gags."<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Photoplay|date=May 1931|page=126|title=The Shadow Stage: Laugh and Get Rich|accessdate=August 28, 2014|url=https://archive.org/stream/photo40chic#page/n693/mode/2up/search/%22Laugh+and+Get+Rich%22}}</ref> ''[[Motion Picture Magazine]]'' was the most impressed, not only praising Herbert and Oliver, but also Dorothy Lee, John Harron, and Russell Gleason as well. They called the picture, "... one of the best little comedies to happen along in many a celluloid moon."<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Motion Picture Magazine|date=June 1931|page=61|title=The Picture Parade: Laugh and Get Rich|accessdate=August 28, 2014|url=https://archive.org/stream/motionpicture41moti#page/n539/mode/2up/search/%22Laugh+and+Get+Rich%22}}</ref>
''Silver Screen'' magazine gave it a good, but not great, review, stating the film was "... a nice homey comedy ..." which was "entertaining, but not a laugh riot", and praised Herbert, but were less impressed by Oliver.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Silver Screen|date=September 1931|page=66|title=Talkies in Tabloid: Laugh and Get Rich|access-date=August 28, 2014|url=https://archive.org/stream/silverscreen01unse#page/n653/mode/2up/search/%22Laugh+and+Get+Rich%22}}</ref> ''[[Photoplay]]'' was a bit kinder, complimenting both Herbert and Oliver, and saying that the film was "Good for plenty of laughs", and that audience members would be "... agreeably surprised at the newness of the treatment and gags."<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Photoplay|date=May 1931|page=126|title=The Shadow Stage: Laugh and Get Rich|access-date=August 28, 2014|url=https://archive.org/stream/photo40chic#page/n693/mode/2up/search/%22Laugh+and+Get+Rich%22}}</ref> ''[[Motion Picture Magazine]]'' was the most impressed, not only praising Herbert and Oliver, but also Dorothy Lee, John Harron, and Russell Gleason as well. They called the picture, "... one of the best little comedies to happen along in many a celluloid moon."<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Motion Picture Magazine|date=June 1931|page=61|title=The Picture Parade: Laugh and Get Rich|access-date=August 28, 2014|url=https://archive.org/stream/motionpicture41moti#page/n539/mode/2up/search/%22Laugh+and+Get+Rich%22}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 66: Line 65:
* {{IMDb title|0022056}}
* {{IMDb title|0022056}}
* {{amg movie|98832}}
* {{amg movie|98832}}
* {{tcmdb title|id=2023}}
* {{tcmdb title|2023}}
* {{AFI film|id=4843|title=Laugh and Get Rich}}
* {{AFI film|4843}}

{{Gregory La Cava}}


[[Category:1931 films]]
[[Category:1931 films]]
[[Category:1930s comedy films]]
[[Category:1931 comedy films]]
⚫
[[Category:American films]]
[[Category:American comedy films]]
[[Category:American comedy films]]
[[Category:American black-and-white films]]
[[Category:American black-and-white films]]
⚫
[[Category:English-language films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Gregory La Cava]]
[[Category:Films directed by Gregory La Cava]]
[[Category:Films made before the MPAA Production Code]]
[[Category:RKO Pictures films]]
[[Category:RKO Pictures films]]
⚫
[[Category:1930s English-language films]]
⚫
[[Category:1930s American films]]

Latest revision as of 21:45, 29 January 2023

Laugh and Get Rich
Theatrical release poster
Directed byGregory La Cava[1]
Written byDouglas MacLean[2]
Ralph Spence (dialogue)
Screenplay byGregory La Cava
Produced byWilliam LeBaron[3]
StarringEdna May Oliver
Hugh Herbert
Dorothy Lee
Russell Gleason
CinematographyJack MacKenzie[3]
Edited byJack Kitchin[3]
Production
company
Distributed byRKO Radio Pictures
Release dates
  • March 27, 1931 (1931-03-27) (NYC)[2]
  • April 20, 1931 (1931-04-20) (US)[2]
Running time
72 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Laugh and Get Rich is a 1931 pre-Code American comedy film, directed by Gregory La Cava, from a screenplay he also wrote with contributions from Douglas MacLean, who also was the associate producer, and Ralph Spence. The film stars Dorothy Lee, Edna May Oliver, Hugh Herbert, and Russell Gleason, and revolves around the antics in a boarding house in the early 1930s, run by Oliver, and the complications caused by her husband.

Plot

[edit]

Sarah Austin (Edna May Oliver) runs a boarding house during the Depression, always on the verge of bankruptcy. Her husband, Joe (Hugh Herbert) is a shiftless person who has never understood the concept of work; he is constantly involving them in get-rich-quick schemes. Their daughter, Alice (Dorothy Lee), has her eyes set on poor young inventor, Larry Owens (Russell Gleason), but her mother wishes she would become involved with Bill Hepburn (John Harron), seemingly from a well-connected family.

Sarah's illusions about Bill, however, are dashed when Bill kidnaps Joe, whom he mistakes for Mr. Pennypacker. Shortly after this, Joe takes Sarah's life savings, which she has hidden in a lamp, and invests it in an oil well, conned into it by one of Sarah's boarders, Mr. Phelps (Robert Emmett Keane). When Sarah finds out, she is furious, so Joe goes out and takes a job as a ditch digger. However, much to everyone's surprise, the oil well actually strikes oil. Believing that they are rich, Sarah and Joe go visit Sarah's sister, Cassie Palfrey (Louise Mackintosh), who lives in an estate on Long Island.

While there, the oil well runs dry, and their newfound wealth evaporates. However, all is not lost, as they find out that one of Larry's inventions (which Joe has promoted), a tire valve, has attracted an investor, and they will be making over $50,000 per year off the invention, a veritable fortune in 1931.

Cast

[edit]

Source:Cast list as per AFI database, and Theiapolis.com[1][2]

Production

[edit]

"Board and Room" was the working title of the film during production.[2]

Reception

[edit]

Mordaunt Hall of The New York Times gave the film a good review, calling it, "...a pleasant little comedy of boarding house life, distinguished by the performance of Edna May Oliver as the head of the establishment."[5]

Silver Screen magazine gave it a good, but not great, review, stating the film was "... a nice homey comedy ..." which was "entertaining, but not a laugh riot", and praised Herbert, but were less impressed by Oliver.[6] Photoplay was a bit kinder, complimenting both Herbert and Oliver, and saying that the film was "Good for plenty of laughs", and that audience members would be "... agreeably surprised at the newness of the treatment and gags."[7] Motion Picture Magazine was the most impressed, not only praising Herbert and Oliver, but also Dorothy Lee, John Harron, and Russell Gleason as well. They called the picture, "... one of the best little comedies to happen along in many a celluloid moon."[8]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Laugh and Get Rich: Technical Details". theiapolis.com. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Laugh and Get Rich: Detail View". American Film Institute. Archived from the original on March 29, 2014. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  3. ^ a b c "Laugh and Get Rich, Credits". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on March 6, 2015. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  4. ^ Jewell, Richard B.; Harbin, Vernon (1982). The RKO Story. New York: Arlington House. p. 36. ISBN 0-517-546566.
  5. ^ Hall, Mordaunt (March 28, 1931). "Laugh and Get Rich: A Boarding House Farce". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 8, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  6. ^ "Talkies in Tabloid: Laugh and Get Rich". Silver Screen. September 1931. p. 66. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  7. ^ "The Shadow Stage: Laugh and Get Rich". Photoplay. May 1931. p. 126. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  8. ^ "The Picture Parade: Laugh and Get Rich". Motion Picture Magazine. June 1931. p. 61. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
[edit]
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