The Milky Way (1936)

Timid milkman, Burleigh Sullivan (Lloyd), somehow knocks out a boxing champ in a brawl. The fighter's manager decides to build up the milkman's reputation in a series of fixed fights and ... See full summary »

Directors:

Leo McCarey, Ray McCarey (uncredited)

Writers:

Grover Jones (screen play), Frank Butler (screen play)

Stars:

Harold Lloyd, Adolphe Menjou, Verree Teasdale

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Harold Lloyd	...	Burleigh Sullivan
Adolphe Menjou	...	Gabby Sloan
Verree Teasdale	...	Ann Westley
Helen Mack	...	Mae Sullivan
William Gargan	...	Speed McFarland
George Barbier	...	Wilbur Austin
Dorothy Wilson	...	Polly Pringle
Lionel Stander	...	Spider Schultz
Charles Lane	...	Willard
Marjorie Gateson	...	Mrs. E. Winthrop LeMoyne

Storyline

Timid milkman, Burleigh Sullivan (Lloyd), somehow knocks out a boxing champ in a brawl. The fighter's manager decides to build up the milkman's reputation in a series of fixed fights and then have the champ beat him to regain his title.

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Plot Keywords:

middleweight boxer | bare chested male | milk fund | charity benefit | milkman | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 February 1936 (USA)

Also Known As:

Aivotärähdys

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,032,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$1,170,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min 84 min (TV)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When producer Samuel Goldwyn bought the rights to the property in the mid-'40s for his remake, The Kid from Brooklyn (1946) (with Danny Kaye in the lead role), he also bought the original negative and almost all existing prints, and destroyed them. After that time the copyright was not renewed, and the title apparently fell into public domain, and, as a result, numerous VHS and DVD dealers, not having access to original material, included it in their inventories, offering vastly inferior copies. Harold Lloyd, however, had preserved his own original nitrate release print, which became the source for the new digital video transfer used by TCM and subsequent DVD releases.

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Goofs

As Ann Westley says, "This program is coming to you through the courtesy of Amalgamated Gas,", the word "amalgamated" does not match her lip movements and is clearly spoken by different voice. (approx. 24:55 into the film, NTSC)

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Quotes

Burleigh Sullivan: Mr. Sloan, what is color?
Gabby Sloan: What's what?
Burleigh Sullivan: Color. That stuff you was talkin' about on the radio. That I got!
Gabby Sloan: That's what gets a guys name in the newspapers.
Burleigh Sullivan: Like what, for instance?
Gabby Sloan: Like what? What?
Burleigh Sullivan: I mean like who, for instance.
Gabby Sloan: It's what makes a man stand out from a crowd. It makes him talked about. Dizzy Dean's got it. Bobby Jones has got it. Amelia Earhart's got it.
Burleigh Sullivan: And Mae West?
Gabby Sloan: She's got it in a big way!

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Crazy Credits

After the Paramount logo is seen, a cow's head is superimposed on the logo. The cow then moos in what appears to be a parody of the MGM Lion's roar. The image of the cow transitions to a photo book with images of cows in the background and the credits are printed on top. A hand pages through the book.

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Connections

Remade as The Calcium Kid (2004)

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Soundtracks

The Skaters Waltz (Les Patineurs)
(1882) (uncredited)
Music by Emil Waldteufel
Sung by Ann while teaching Burleigh how to fight
Later played by the band during the big fight

User Reviews

Enter The Ring With Mr. Lloyd

A mild-mannered milkman finds himself swept into the world of dishonest professional boxing.

Although forever famous for his silent classics, THE MILKY WAY once again illustrated Harold Lloyd's complete ease with the sound medium. Indeed, Paramount Studios and director Leo McCarey gave him the opportunity to entertain his fans with some very enjoyable gags & comedy routines. Whether frantically trying to find help for his sick horse, teaching stuffy society matron Marjorie Gateson how to duck punches, or sneaking a colt into the back of a taxi, Harold provides ample evidence that he hasn't lost the talent to amuse.

A very talented cast of costars lend able support. Gum-chewing Adolphe Menjou scores as an unscrupulous fight promoter. As his long-suffering girlfriend, beautiful Verree Teasdale gets the film's best dialogue with her sarcastic one-liners. Hot-tempered William Gargan as the erstwhile middleweight champ & gravely-voiced Lionel Stander as a fight trainer complete the disreputable quartet.

Helen Mack as Harold's sister, and Dorothy Wilson as his sweetheart, both offer perky performances; indeed, they are so much alike that some viewers may have a little difficulty in telling the two ladies apart. Dyspeptic George Barbier plays the blustery owner of Sunflower Dairies. Charles Lane once again reprises his role as a nosy reporter.