The Day the Bookies Wept (1939)

Director:

Leslie Goodwins

Writers:

Bert Granet (screenplay), George Jeske (screenplay),

Stars:

Joe Penner, Betty Grable, Richard Lane

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Joe Penner	...	Ernest 'Ernie' Ambrose
Betty Grable	...	Ina Firpo
Richard Lane	...	Ramsey Firpo
Tom Kennedy	...	Pinky Brophy
Thurston Hall	...	Colonel March
Bernadene Hayes	...	Margie, Taxi Rider
Carol Hughes	...	Patsy
Vinton Hayworth	...	Harry, Rider with Margie (as Jack Arnold)

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

pigeon | wager | kentucky | coworker relationship | beer | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 September 1939 (USA)

Also Known As:

Na Reta de Chegada

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

64 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Ina Firpo: It's the prettiest place you ever saw. It's got a white picket fence all around and creepers all over the house.
Ernest 'Ernie' Ambrose: Creepers? Oh, don't worry about those. The pigeons will eat them up.
Ina Firpo: Oh, Ernie, be sensible. When you and I get married we'll be very happy there.
Ernest 'Ernie' Ambrose: Will the pigeons like it?

User Reviews

Wanna Buy a Horse?

Joe Penner is primarily remembered for the catchphrase "Wanna buy a duck?" and for the vocal imitation that Looney Tune's Egghead did of him -- the character later evolved into Elmer Fudd. Briefly a leading movie comedian, Penner made perhaps half a dozen movies and then.... well, I suppose he's dead by now. After spending more than an hour listening to his voice, I certainly hope so.

This movie, however, is a decent little affair, thanks to some beautiful comedy construction by the screenwriters, including George Jeske, and director Leslie Goodwins, who fill the movie with plenty of good gags, a nice comic turn by Thurston Hall as a con man, Betty Grable getting her break as the love interest and some good supporting comic turns, like Tom Kennedy.

This movie is by no means a great one, but a decent example of the sort of decent comedy that can be turned out by talented professionals despite a dud in the leading spot.