Small Town Boy (1937)

Henry Armstrong was past being a spring chicken, still believes in Santa Claus and the maxim that "honesty is the best policy", but lack of money keeps him from marrying Molly and buying a ... See full summary »

Director:

Glenn Tryon

Writers:

Manuel Komroff (story), Glenn Tryon (screenplay)

Stars:

Stuart Erwin, Joyce Compton, Jed Prouty

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Stuart Erwin	...	Henry Armstrong
Joyce Compton	...	Molly Summers
Jed Prouty	...	Otis Armstrong
Clara Blandick	...	Mrs. Armstrong
Dorothy Appleby	...	Sandra French
James Blakeley	...	Eddie Armstrong
Clarence Wilson	...	Curtis French
John T. Murray	...	C. Lafferty
Lew Kelly	...	The Judge
Victor Potel	...	Abner Towner
Erville Alderson	...	Mr. Trindle
William Ruhl	...	A Waiter
George Chandler	...	Bill Clipper
Henry Roquemore	...	Ted Fritter
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
George Cleveland	...	Police Station Man (unconfirmed)

Storyline

Henry Armstrong was past being a spring chicken, still believes in Santa Claus and the maxim that "honesty is the best policy", but lack of money keeps him from marrying Molly and buying a little home, and his is threatened with the loss of the petty job he has had for four years with old Curtis French, Molly's uncle, because he can not sell enough insurance policies. And, then, he finds a thousand dollar bill. His honesty makes him advertise the find, but no one claims the money. When he is convinced that the owner will not turn up and that the money is his to keep, he becomes a changed, more aggressive and self-confident person. He begins to make sales as fast as he can make the pitch and he insists that he and Molly be married at once. While getting dressed for the ceremony, he places the $1000 bill in one of his father's old suits, and Pa Armstrong, trying to raise money to buy his son a wedding present, sells the suit to a passing junk man. The wedding is held up while Henry and ...

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Plot Keywords:

suit | policy | tramp | honesty | police | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 September 1937 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Thousand Dollar Bill

Company Credits

Production Co:

Zion Meyers Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

63 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

User Reviews

This B movie could have been more involving.

Stuart Erwin deserved better than this slice of B movie Americana with overage leads. Directed by Tryon, the leading man from LONESOME and father of Tom, it makes a worthwhile attempt to break with the over familiar forms of second feature knockabout, but invention isn't equal to ambition.

The plot has Erwin's life transformed, from mother dominated insurance salesman to go getter by the discovery of a thousand dollar note. This cut price mark Twain stuff is undercut by unfunny routines like the horse standing on the bill or George Chandler's demonstration of the brakes failed car.

The attempt to show back blocks US on which it all pivots is undermined because it looks more like B movie US. Still the piece has more interest than most of what was done on that budget.