The Medicine Man (1930)The son and daughter of an abusive shopkeeper turn to a medicine show salesman for help. Director:Scott Pembroke |
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The Medicine Man (1930)The son and daughter of an abusive shopkeeper turn to a medicine show salesman for help. Director:Scott Pembroke |
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| Cast overview: | |||
| Jack Benny | ... |
Dr. John Harvey
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Betty Bronson | ... |
Mamie Goltz
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E. Alyn Warren | ... |
Goltz
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Eva Novak | ... |
Hulda
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Billy Butts | ... |
Buddy
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Adolph Milar | ... |
Peter
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| George E. Stone | ... |
Steve
(as Georgie Stone)
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Tom Dugan | ... |
Charley
(as Tommy Dugan)
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Vadim Uraneff | ... |
Gus
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Caroline Rankin | ... |
Hattie
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Dorothea Wolbert | ... |
Sister Wilson
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Mamie and Buddy, the son and daughter of a cruel, abusive shopkeeper, are excited when Dr. Harvey's medicine show comes to town. But when they slip away at night to watch the show, their father finds out and punishes them severely. When the angry father then decides to force Mamie to marry against her will, she turns to Dr. Harvey for help. Meanwhile, two of the doctor's associates have been playing a confidence game, and have attracted the attention of the local sheriff. Written by Snow Leopard
Young Mamie Goltz (played by Betty Bronson) and her brother Buddy (Billy Butts) dream of getting away from the influence of their overly abusive and cruel father. When a medicine show comes to town and one Dr. John Harvey (Jack Benny) shows romantic interest in Mamie, she hopes even though she knows it unlikely that somehow her dream will be fulfilled.
The biggest flaw here is our story never seems credible. It's hard to believe Harvey, who our story establishes has an history of using and casting aside girls should so easily fall for Mamie and change his ways just to be with her and to help her although I guess it's not outside the realm of the plausible. Also this film often tries most unsuccessfully to be funny. It never is.