The main reason to see this film is the familiar supporting cast.We have Reginald Denny,Vladimir Sokoloff,E.E.Clive,Erik Rhodes and Herman Bing to name but a few.When they are on screen this film lights up.When they are off you just have to sit through a film which is rather to familiar in the clichés that it employs.These actors typify the Golden Age of Hollywood.It is just a great shame that their like no longer seem to exist,or if they do they do not appear in films.Frank Morgan gives his usual stylish performance.The juve leads are typical of the era and eminently forgettable.Worth a look if the supporting cast interest you.
14 Reviews
Why only one star?
darrell-garrison-62-14498424 July 2014
TiVo and TCM have a window that pops up, giving this one star. Why? That's for BAD films. This is quaint and clever. Want to waste your time with a good old-fashioned 30's comedy of errors and other shenanigans? This is that film. Yep, a B-movie that holds its own. The character actors are all good, there are genuine laughs, and a (predictable) plot that holds it all together. Most of us have not seen Frank Morgan in anything other than 'Wizard of Oz'. He plays a similar- enough role here so that you'll feel at home. I have to say I am paying more attention to TCM the older I get, lol. The junk that they spew out at the multiplex just to fill it up is depressing. Let's all support the good old days of 1930's films. Enjoy!
Character actors shine in cute comedy about various phonies
csteidler20 August 2012
Frank Morgan, American expatriate, writes home to his estranged wife and daughter that he is a Riviera millionaire. In fact, he's a sort of wily tourist guide who is not above assisting certain associates in shady art deals that help him pay the rent.
So imagine Morgan's surprise and chagrin when his engaged daughter's prospective in-laws accept his invitation to hold the wedding at his château! Always the con man, he quickly borrows a château from a wealthy friend, figuring the wedding party will surely come and go home before anyone catches on. –Yes, it's a classic case of What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
The first third of this picture is amusing but a bit slow—it's a long setup, and we get the feeling that we have a pretty good idea exactly where the story is going. It gets livelier, however, and less predictable too—the plot does contain surprises, and it all develops into a very sweet movie featuring not only Morgan but a wild range of supporting characters, all of them nutty and all delightfully acted.
John Beal and Florence Rice are charming and beautiful as the romantic leads. Beal is the actual château owner posing as the caretaker as a favor to his friend Morgan; Rice is the American daughter who may be marrying the wrong man. Herman Bing, Reginald Denny and Vladimir Sokoloff are among the large and varied cast of Morgan's buddies posing as nobility. E.E. Clive steals scenes as a genuine nobleman presumed to be another impostor.
A plot that squeezes in some surprises, plenty of amusing dialog, and lots and lots of great character actors .After this picture picks up steam toward the midpoint, it's both cute and funny.
So imagine Morgan's surprise and chagrin when his engaged daughter's prospective in-laws accept his invitation to hold the wedding at his château! Always the con man, he quickly borrows a château from a wealthy friend, figuring the wedding party will surely come and go home before anyone catches on. –Yes, it's a classic case of What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
The first third of this picture is amusing but a bit slow—it's a long setup, and we get the feeling that we have a pretty good idea exactly where the story is going. It gets livelier, however, and less predictable too—the plot does contain surprises, and it all develops into a very sweet movie featuring not only Morgan but a wild range of supporting characters, all of them nutty and all delightfully acted.
John Beal and Florence Rice are charming and beautiful as the romantic leads. Beal is the actual château owner posing as the caretaker as a favor to his friend Morgan; Rice is the American daughter who may be marrying the wrong man. Herman Bing, Reginald Denny and Vladimir Sokoloff are among the large and varied cast of Morgan's buddies posing as nobility. E.E. Clive steals scenes as a genuine nobleman presumed to be another impostor.
A plot that squeezes in some surprises, plenty of amusing dialog, and lots and lots of great character actors .After this picture picks up steam toward the midpoint, it's both cute and funny.
Just an okay story that is brought to life thanks to an excellent ensemble cast and a lot of charm
planktonrules2 June 2007
Just a few years later, the basic plot elements from BEG, BORROW OR STEAL were re-worked into THE WILD MAN OF BORNEO--and both starred Frank Morgan. However, of the two, BEG, BORROW OR STEAL is a far superior film due mostly to the great ensemble cast as well as its charm. BORNEO, by contrast, was a stale recycled idea and the film limped along solely on the power of Frank Morgan's acting--and it was not nearly enough to make the picture worth seeing.
So why is this a film good enough to earn a score of 7? Well, I already mentioned the cast. Morgan's character in both films is a bit of a scoundrel but this time he's accompanied by a group of five friends who are also crooks but exude charm. Later in the film, E. E. Clive makes a wonderful appearance and practically steals the show due to his funny delivery and great lines. This means that the entire production does NOT rest on Morgan's shoulders but is more of a group effort. Plus, the supporting actors are funny, whereas in BORNEO, they are at times pretty annoying. In addition to the acting, the music, direction and setting all work together to give the film a much needed infusion of charm and romance.
In many ways, this film also reminds me of some of W. C. Fields' films--ones where he is a bit of a rogue but by the end, everything works together to bring him a happy ending. A cute and enjoyable film from start to finish.
So why is this a film good enough to earn a score of 7? Well, I already mentioned the cast. Morgan's character in both films is a bit of a scoundrel but this time he's accompanied by a group of five friends who are also crooks but exude charm. Later in the film, E. E. Clive makes a wonderful appearance and practically steals the show due to his funny delivery and great lines. This means that the entire production does NOT rest on Morgan's shoulders but is more of a group effort. Plus, the supporting actors are funny, whereas in BORNEO, they are at times pretty annoying. In addition to the acting, the music, direction and setting all work together to give the film a much needed infusion of charm and romance.
In many ways, this film also reminds me of some of W. C. Fields' films--ones where he is a bit of a rogue but by the end, everything works together to bring him a happy ending. A cute and enjoyable film from start to finish.
But ... it's Fun Fun Fun
shane_60417 December 2007
Warning: Spoilers
This review couldn't possibly contain spoilers, because you've all seen this story even if you haven't seen this movie. An indigent con man desperately wants to impress his daughter and her fiancée's family. All he has to do is hold her wedding in the château she thinks he owns. Of course, he'll get his hands on a château and trouble will ensue and everyone will live happily ever after.
You can guess most of what will follow. But with the Wizard of Oz and his gang of cohorts in charge, the results are predictably funny. You already know where the roller-coaster is going, but the ride is great.
Frank Morgan is the same bumbling charlatan we expect and love. So the surprises have to come from the ensemble and fortunately they do. Their cons and schemes and ever-changing identities keep the action moving delightfully throughout.
Previously mentioned, E.E. Clive's Lord Braemer is a standout. His accent and manner provide a perfect foil for Morgan's plot.
We now rarely get these kind of ensemble movies and that is half the fun of Beg Borrow and Steal. These actors had roots in the variety stage and built careers on virtually the same comic character. They had lots of practice working with other stock characters and getting the most out of the interaction. Early studios also used these stock characters in regular ensembles that could quickly fill in comic stories with their bits. Every member of Morgan's crew of con men provides his own fuel for the comedy and that makes this movie well worth watching.
You can guess most of what will follow. But with the Wizard of Oz and his gang of cohorts in charge, the results are predictably funny. You already know where the roller-coaster is going, but the ride is great.
Frank Morgan is the same bumbling charlatan we expect and love. So the surprises have to come from the ensemble and fortunately they do. Their cons and schemes and ever-changing identities keep the action moving delightfully throughout.
Previously mentioned, E.E. Clive's Lord Braemer is a standout. His accent and manner provide a perfect foil for Morgan's plot.
We now rarely get these kind of ensemble movies and that is half the fun of Beg Borrow and Steal. These actors had roots in the variety stage and built careers on virtually the same comic character. They had lots of practice working with other stock characters and getting the most out of the interaction. Early studios also used these stock characters in regular ensembles that could quickly fill in comic stories with their bits. Every member of Morgan's crew of con men provides his own fuel for the comedy and that makes this movie well worth watching.
Apple Annie becomes...Apple Andy!
HotToastyRag1 February 2020
Who doesn't love the classic story of Apple Annie, the poor woman who tries to be a high-class lady so she doesn't embarrass her daughter? That story keeps getting remade, but if you're in the mood for a twist, check out Beg, Borrow or Steal. In this one, the Apple Annie is Apple Andy: a man who has to pretend he's wealthy to impress his daughter and her fiancé. Frank Morgan stars as the bumbling, irresponsible pauper, who makes his meager living gambling and writes home to his daughter that he's rich and lives in a castle. His daughter, Florence Rice, gets the idea of getting married at her father's palace, so he has to scrounge around and figure out how to continue to fool her.
This is a really cute movie, so if you're a Frank Morgan fan, you've got to check it out. He's his usual adorable, bumbling self who means well but constantly messes things up. If you like cute comedies about people trying to keep a secret, you'll probably like this one. I thought it was very funny, since it's not as silly as a screwball comedy but is still light and fluffy.
This is a really cute movie, so if you're a Frank Morgan fan, you've got to check it out. He's his usual adorable, bumbling self who means well but constantly messes things up. If you like cute comedies about people trying to keep a secret, you'll probably like this one. I thought it was very funny, since it's not as silly as a screwball comedy but is still light and fluffy.
Amusing pre-WW2 comedy that has aged reasonably well.
jamesrupert201414 June 2020
Con-artist Ingraham Steward (Frank Morgan) invites his estranged daughter to Europe to be married in his non-existent chateau on the French Rivera. Much to his chagrin, she accepts. As 'false identity' comedies go, this one is pretty good. Morgan is excellent as the father trying to make good on his offer and an early 'reveal' makes the whole farce a little less implausible. The funniest characters in the film are Ingraham's clique of 'international' conmen (posing as various Counts, Lords, etc) and the scene where they solemnly enter the chateau accompanied by 'culturally appropriate' music is hilarious. Other highlights are the scenes in which a real Lord (E.E. Clive) arrives at the chateau, only to be mistaken for another grifter and given instructions on how to behave in a Lordly fashion. As betrothed daughter Joyce, Florence Rice is fine and as soon as we meet her stiff, bland fiancée Horace (Tom Rutherford) we know that true love must await in France. The last-minute resolution to her romantic dilemma is deftly handled and the film ends exactly as expected - happily. Good fun from another era.
frank morgan, just before the Wizard of Awes !
ksf-29 August 2020
Pre -world war II film (for the U.S., anyway). Frank Morgan made a bunch of fun, light, caper films in the 1930s and 1940s; this one was just a couple years before The Wizard! When a young couple gets married, they end up taking up her dad's offer to hold the wedding at his fancy chateau in europe. the only trouble is, dad doesn't HAVE a chateau. and is quite the fraud. with the guests on the way, he needs to find a chateau pronto! it turns out Dad is only lying when his mouth is open. the more he talks, the deeper the trouble. the kids' marriage itself is secondary to Dad's antics. a typical Frank Morgan adventure. perfect training for playing the Wizard of Oz! come along for the wild ride. he gets everyone into trouble... can he get them back out? Directed by Bill Thiele. had started in germany but had to leave with hitler coming to power. in the US, he was a proponent of Dorothy Lamour, who was a huge hit, and she made a bunch of films with Bob and Bing! good silly fun, if you go along for the ride.
Better than expected for a B film; a gem for Frank Morgan
vincentlynch-moonoi2 June 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Although clearly a B picture, the production values are quite high on this excellent vehicle for character actor Frank Morgan.
Ingraham Steward (Morgan) is a con man living in Paris. Although he and his wife have been separated for years (she living in America), he offers to hold his daughter's wedding in his château (which of course he doesn't have) assuming they won't travel all the way from America. But, of course, they do. His Parisian friend is of the landed gentry (although Morgan doesn't know it) and owns a large country estate, and posing as the caretaker he allows the wedding to be held there...but then himself falls in love with the daughter. Morgan admits he's a fraud at the planned wedding, which then falls apart, and the daughter can marry the real man of her dreams.
While Morgan is the only actor of note in the film, the rest of the ensemble cast is quite good and make for an interesting film of just a little over an hour. Well worth a watch.
Ingraham Steward (Morgan) is a con man living in Paris. Although he and his wife have been separated for years (she living in America), he offers to hold his daughter's wedding in his château (which of course he doesn't have) assuming they won't travel all the way from America. But, of course, they do. His Parisian friend is of the landed gentry (although Morgan doesn't know it) and owns a large country estate, and posing as the caretaker he allows the wedding to be held there...but then himself falls in love with the daughter. Morgan admits he's a fraud at the planned wedding, which then falls apart, and the daughter can marry the real man of her dreams.
While Morgan is the only actor of note in the film, the rest of the ensemble cast is quite good and make for an interesting film of just a little over an hour. Well worth a watch.
Good One
boblipton13 December 2019
Con man Frank Morgan finds out his wife and daughter are coming to the Riviera to introduce his future in-laws to him. He scrambles to put up a front, and it falls into his lap when Count John Beal lends him his chateau, and his fellow con-men pass themselves off as nobility.
I blinked a couple of times and realized this was an MGM version of LADY FOR A DAY, with lots of MGM gloss. With a cast that includes Herman Bing, Erik Rhodes, E.E. Clive, Reginald Denny, and Vladimir Sokoloff, it's a lot of fun, even if director William Thiele can't tread the line between pathos and peribathos as nimbly as Frank Capra.
Thiele was a fine director; his DREI VON DER TANKSTELLE was the biggest hit in Germany in 1930. However, in 1933, he had to flee Germany because he was Jewish. His visuals in this movie are fine, but his direction of the performers depends largely on the script and the actors; I suspect Thiele let these professionals have their heads. He continued to write and direct B movies and television through the middle of the 1950s, returned to Germany to direct two more movies in 1960. He died in 1975, aged 85.
I blinked a couple of times and realized this was an MGM version of LADY FOR A DAY, with lots of MGM gloss. With a cast that includes Herman Bing, Erik Rhodes, E.E. Clive, Reginald Denny, and Vladimir Sokoloff, it's a lot of fun, even if director William Thiele can't tread the line between pathos and peribathos as nimbly as Frank Capra.
Thiele was a fine director; his DREI VON DER TANKSTELLE was the biggest hit in Germany in 1930. However, in 1933, he had to flee Germany because he was Jewish. His visuals in this movie are fine, but his direction of the performers depends largely on the script and the actors; I suspect Thiele let these professionals have their heads. He continued to write and direct B movies and television through the middle of the 1950s, returned to Germany to direct two more movies in 1960. He died in 1975, aged 85.
A Romantic Comedy
atlasmb28 June 2021
Frank Morgan plays a con man who plies his trade along the French Riviera. When his estranged daughter plans to marry, he suggests the ceremony take place at his chateau. The mothers of the bride and groom accept his offer, but he doesn't own a chateau. This is a comedy of mistaken identities and the strong cast does a fine job . Florence Rice, in particular, is believable as the bride-to-be who becomes the apex of a love triangle.
Wilhelm Thiele directs this comedy adapted from a short story with warmth.
Wilhelm Thiele directs this comedy adapted from a short story with warmth.
Frank Morgan plays a conman in this comedy a year before The Wizard of Oz (1939)
jacobs-greenwood18 October 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Frank Morgan plays a cheap "snizler", Ingraham Steward, operating out of the South of France. His estranged wife Agatha (Janet Beecher) and daughter Joyce (Florence Rice) are just "getting by" in the States on what he sends, but his daughter is engaged to a "well to do" young man, Horace Miller (Tom Rutherford). His wife and the wealthy mother (Cora Witherspoon) of the young man are arguing about where to have the wedding. The wealthy woman wants to invite 63 guests, whereas his wife would rather have it in their modest home. The young man she's engaged to is an accountant-type of person, logical but without passion and seemingly emotionless.
Morgan sends a letter saying he can't come to the wedding and writes, with the bravura that is his character's style, that it's "too bad they can't be married on the Riviera" where he lives. The wealthy couple (the husband is played by Harlan Briggs) jumps all over this idea and gives the trip (to France) for all as their wedding gift. Of course, no one knows the father is not the person he's made himself out to be.
Morgan must now scramble to come up with something. Working with his other nefarious (?) friends, he agrees to do something dishonest, sell a forged painting, in order to get enough money to set-up appearances. He then approaches the manager (John Beal) of an estate whose occupant (Herman Bing) is hunting in Ireland for a month. He convinces the manager, who initially refuse to consider the idea and is wise to him, to help when he comes clean about his predicament and shows the manager a picture of his daughter.
When the daughter arrives, the manager falls in love with her. He then tries to win her. Morgan has invited his phony friends to come pretending to be Counts and Dukes etc. in order to impress his future in laws. Of course, the Lord who rents the estate returns from his hunting trip early, such that the true identity of Morgan, and the manager, is revealed. A happy ending results, after much consternation.
E.E. Clive, Reginald Denny and Vladimir Sokoloff, among others, appear.
Morgan sends a letter saying he can't come to the wedding and writes, with the bravura that is his character's style, that it's "too bad they can't be married on the Riviera" where he lives. The wealthy couple (the husband is played by Harlan Briggs) jumps all over this idea and gives the trip (to France) for all as their wedding gift. Of course, no one knows the father is not the person he's made himself out to be.
Morgan must now scramble to come up with something. Working with his other nefarious (?) friends, he agrees to do something dishonest, sell a forged painting, in order to get enough money to set-up appearances. He then approaches the manager (John Beal) of an estate whose occupant (Herman Bing) is hunting in Ireland for a month. He convinces the manager, who initially refuse to consider the idea and is wise to him, to help when he comes clean about his predicament and shows the manager a picture of his daughter.
When the daughter arrives, the manager falls in love with her. He then tries to win her. Morgan has invited his phony friends to come pretending to be Counts and Dukes etc. in order to impress his future in laws. Of course, the Lord who rents the estate returns from his hunting trip early, such that the true identity of Morgan, and the manager, is revealed. A happy ending results, after much consternation.
E.E. Clive, Reginald Denny and Vladimir Sokoloff, among others, appear.
A reasonably entertaining low-budget effort
AlsExGal29 June 2023
Frank Morgan is a charming rogue living in France. To "get by," he and his pals - the nicest rogues' gallery ever assembled - gamble (and cheat), scam a bit (at anything they can) and sell forged art (that they make).
It has a Tarantino feel without the menace as Morgan and his crew discuss their "business" and life problems as if being low-level crooks was just like any other line of work. Even amongst themselves, they lightly try to scam each other as, despite being true friends, it's just what they do. Their odd camaraderie is one of the most enjoyable parts of the movie.
When Morgan learns his daughter in America, Florence Rice (who looks a lot like 1990s star Bridget Fonda),is getting married, he boastfully offers up his non-existent chateau for her wedding assuming she'd never take him up on it. She does and it's all romcom hijinx, contretemps and cover-ups from there. Morgan scams the use of a chateau for a week and the wedding party is on.
The fun in this one is Morgan as a bubbling grifter with a kind heart who steals a bit to get by sans avarice and malice. Heck, you know he'd give, without hesitation, the proceeds from a forged-art sale, or his last dollar, to a buddy in need.
When he sees his daughter is engaged to a passionless man she respects but doesn't love, he quietly promotes her budding romance with the chateau's true owner who is a genuinely nice guy. You can guess the outcome from there.
Beg, Borrow or Steal is cute and silly with enough good scenes and lines to keep you entertained for its seventy-minute runtime, just like a good old-style TV show.
It has a Tarantino feel without the menace as Morgan and his crew discuss their "business" and life problems as if being low-level crooks was just like any other line of work. Even amongst themselves, they lightly try to scam each other as, despite being true friends, it's just what they do. Their odd camaraderie is one of the most enjoyable parts of the movie.
When Morgan learns his daughter in America, Florence Rice (who looks a lot like 1990s star Bridget Fonda),is getting married, he boastfully offers up his non-existent chateau for her wedding assuming she'd never take him up on it. She does and it's all romcom hijinx, contretemps and cover-ups from there. Morgan scams the use of a chateau for a week and the wedding party is on.
The fun in this one is Morgan as a bubbling grifter with a kind heart who steals a bit to get by sans avarice and malice. Heck, you know he'd give, without hesitation, the proceeds from a forged-art sale, or his last dollar, to a buddy in need.
When he sees his daughter is engaged to a passionless man she respects but doesn't love, he quietly promotes her budding romance with the chateau's true owner who is a genuinely nice guy. You can guess the outcome from there.
Beg, Borrow or Steal is cute and silly with enough good scenes and lines to keep you entertained for its seventy-minute runtime, just like a good old-style TV show.
Riviera Rogues
AAdaSC16 October 2022
Frank Morgan (Ingraham) is a con artist who invites his estranged daughter Florence Rice (Joyce) to have her wedding ceremony at his chateau. One problem - he doesn't have a chateau. He needs to find one quickly!
It's a funny film as Morgan gathers a cast of crooks to pose as his upper class friends in order to pull the wool over the eyes of his daughter, groom and the parents. His associates can't resist the temptation to fleece and scam - and Morgan has his work cut out trying to prevent their shady antics. It's a comedy so we get a satisfying resolution that is pretty obvious from the beginning but it's the feel-good comedic situations that provide the driving force of the film, led expertly by Morgan.
To the film's credit, there is no come-uppance for the cast. Hooray - the bad guys get a happy result! Not sure why the Hays Code nonsense didn't see them all punished but perhaps comedies weren't scrutinized so rigorously.
It's a funny film as Morgan gathers a cast of crooks to pose as his upper class friends in order to pull the wool over the eyes of his daughter, groom and the parents. His associates can't resist the temptation to fleece and scam - and Morgan has his work cut out trying to prevent their shady antics. It's a comedy so we get a satisfying resolution that is pretty obvious from the beginning but it's the feel-good comedic situations that provide the driving force of the film, led expertly by Morgan.
To the film's credit, there is no come-uppance for the cast. Hooray - the bad guys get a happy result! Not sure why the Hays Code nonsense didn't see them all punished but perhaps comedies weren't scrutinized so rigorously.
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