Three Men on a Horse (1936)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Writers:

John Cecil Holm (play) and
George Abbott (play) ...

Release Date:

21 November 1936 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot Keywords:

Horse Racing | Fight | Nurse | Hobby | False Accusation

Cast

Frank McHugh	...	Erwin Trowbridge
Joan Blondell	...	Mabel
Guy Kibbee	...	Mr. J. G. Carver
Carol Hughes	...	Audrey Trowbridge
Allen Jenkins	...	Charlie
Sam Levene	...	Patsy
Teddy Hart	...	Frankie
Edgar Kennedy	...	Harry, the Bartender
Paul Harvey	...	Clarence Dobbins
Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson	...	Moses, the Elevator Operator (as Eddie Anderson)
Virginia Sale	...	Chambermaid
Harry Davenport	...	Williams
Ottola Nesmith	...	Miss Hillary, Head Nurse (as Tola Nesmith)
Eily Malyon	...	Miss Burns, a Nurse

Also Known As:

3 Men on a Horse (International: English title) (alternative spelling)

Runtime:

86 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | USA:Approved (PCA #2506)

Company:

First National Pictures

Trivia:

A considerable number of cast members listed in studio records (with their character names) did not appear in the final print: Margaret Irving (Gloria Gray), 'George Chandler' (Al), Cliff Saum (Bus Conductor), Harry Hayden (Man on Bus), 'Edith Craig' (Woman Bettor), Irene Coleman (Woman Bettor), John Sheehan (Man Bettor) and Pat West (Man Bettor).

Quotes:

Erwin Trowbridge: [after several drinks] That's funny. I'm kinda sorta feeling a little sleepy.
Patsy: What you need is a little drink to wake you up.
[to Harry, the bartender]
Patsy: Harry, scotch for Erwin. He needs a pick-up.
Harry, the Bartender: He'll need picking up, alright.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Bewitched: Three Men and a Witch on a Horse (#8.13)" (1971)

Blondell & McHugh In The Winner's Circle

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.