Hard to Handle (1933)
Reference View | Change View
- Approved
- 1h 18min
- Comedy, Crime
- 28 Jan 1933 (USA)
- Movie
Small time con artist Lefty Merrill has co-organized a crooked dance marathon and set up his girlfriend to win the prize money. When his partner disappears with money before the contest is over, he's forced to come up with a series of cons...
See more »
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| James Cagney | ... |
Lefty Merrill
|
|
| Mary Brian | ... |
Ruth Waters
|
|
| Allen Jenkins | ... |
Radio Announcer
|
|
| Ruth Donnelly | ... |
Lil Waters
|
|
| Claire Dodd | ... |
Marlene Reeves
|
|
| Robert McWade | ... |
Charles Reeves
|
|
| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
 |
Sherwood Bailey | ... |
Boy on Pier (uncredited)
|
| Don Brodie | ... |
Sound Man (uncredited)
|
|
| Berton Churchill | ... |
Col. H.D.X. Wells (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Davison Clark | ... |
Federal Man #2 (uncredited)
|
| Clay Clement | ... |
Federal Man #1 (uncredited)
|
|
| G. Pat Collins | ... |
Dance Judge (uncredited)
|
|
| Jack Crawford | ... |
Ralph Blackman - Band Leader (uncredited)
|
|
| Mary Doran | ... |
Dance Contestant (uncredited)
|
|
| Lester Dorr | ... |
Ed - Photographer (uncredited)
|
|
| Douglass Dumbrille | ... |
District Attorney (uncredited)
|
|
| Emma Dunn | ... |
Mrs. Hawks (uncredited)
|
|
| Charles Eaton | ... |
Hotel Bellboy (uncredited)
|
|
| Bess Flowers | ... |
Merrill's Secretary (uncredited)
|
|
| June Gittelson | ... |
Fat Girl with Hamburger (uncredited)
|
|
| Gavin Gordon | ... |
John Hayden (uncredited)
|
|
| Grace Hayle | ... |
Fat Lady with Vanishing Cream (uncredited)
|
|
| Sterling Holloway | ... |
Andy Heaney (uncredited)
|
|
| Harry Holman | ... |
Colonel's Associate (uncredited)
|
|
| Tenen Holtz | ... |
Tailor (uncredited)
|
|
| Eddie Kane | ... |
Grapefruit Acres Executive (uncredited)
|
|
| Lew Kelly | ... |
Hash-Slinger (uncredited)
|
|
| Louise Mackintosh | ... |
Mrs. O.H.P. Weston-Parks (uncredited)
|
|
| Eric Mayne | ... |
Bedford College Dignitary (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Larry McGrath | ... |
Dance Observer (uncredited)
|
| Matt McHugh | ... |
Joe Goetz (uncredited)
|
|
| Sidney Miller | ... |
Boy on Pier (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Henry Otho | ... |
Dance Worker Owed Three Weeks' Wages (uncredited)
|
| Fred Santley | ... |
Grapefruit Acres Radio Announcer (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Cliff Saum | ... |
Streetcar Conductor (uncredited)
|
| John Sheehan | ... |
Ed 'Mac' McGrath (uncredited)
|
|
| Stanley Smith | ... |
Vocalist with Ralph Blackman's Band (uncredited)
|
|
| Harry Strang | ... |
Water Sprayer (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
William H. Strauss | ... |
Mr. Abe Goldstein (uncredited)
|
| Charles Sullivan | ... |
Dance Observer (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Walter Walker | ... |
Bedford College Representative (uncredited)
|
| Charles C. Wilson | ... |
Jailer (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Jack Wise | ... |
Florida Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
|
|
|
Allen Wood | ... |
Florida Hotel Bellboy (uncredited)
|
Directed by
| Mervyn LeRoy | ||
Written by
| Robert Lord | ... | (screen play) and |
| Wilson Mizner | ... | (screen play) |
| Houston Branch | ... | (original story) |
Cinematography by
| Barney McGill | ... | (photography) |
Editing by
| William Holmes | ... | (edited by) |
Art Direction by
| Robert M. Haas | ||
Costume Design by
| Orry-Kelly | ... | (gowns) |
Makeup Department
| Perc Westmore | ... | makeup artist (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| C.A. Riggs | ... | sound (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| John Ellis | ... | still photographer (uncredited) |
| Kenneth Green | ... | second camera operator (uncredited) |
| Scotty Welbourne | ... | still photographer (uncredited) |
| William P. Whitley | ... | assistant camera (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Eugene Joseff | ... | costume jeweller (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Leo F. Forbstein | ... | conductor: Vitaphone Orchestra |
| Cliff Hess | ... | composer: stock music (uncredited) |
Production Companies
- Warner Bros. (presents)
Distributors
- Warner Bros. (1933) (United States) (theatrical)
- Vitagraph Limited (1933) (Canada) (theatrical)
- Warner Brothers Pictures (1933) (United Kingdom) (theatrical) (as Warner Brothers Pictures, Ltd.)
- Associated Artists Productions (AAP) (1956) (United States) (tv)
- Warner Home Video (2012) (United States) (DVD) (dvdr)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Polyphony Digital (thanks)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Small time con artist Lefty Merrill has co-organized a crooked dance marathon and set up his girlfriend to win the prize money. When his partner disappears with money before the contest is over, he's forced to come up with a series of cons to help pay it back.
Written by Col Needham |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | The Movies' Prodigal Son-of-a-Gun is back again! Faster and funnier than "Winner Take All" and "Blonde Crazy"! Caveman Cagney turns on the heat! See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | Add content advisory for parents » |
| Certification |
Additional Details
| Also Known As |
|
| Runtime |
|
| Country | |
| Language | |
| Color | |
| Aspect Ratio |
|
| Sound Mix | |
| Filming Locations |
Box Office
| Budget | $189,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Mary Brian replaced Carole Lombard, who refused the role. See more » |
| Goofs | At the end of the dance marathon Lefty says that the prize money (10 $100 bills) is fresh from the US Mint. The US Mint produces coins. Paper money is produced by the Bureau of Printing and Engraving. See more » |
| Movie Connections | References The Public Enemy (1931). See more » |
| Soundtracks | M-O-T-H-E-R, a Word That Means the World To Me See more » |
| Quotes |
Lefty Merrill:
The world is like a cow, bellowing to be milked and if you're smart, you'll get yourself a bucket. See more » |