Max and Gus (Ewell and Rooney) need money fast. Max is supposed to get married to Margie (Merrill), and they've both been playing the horses. And losing. So the plan is.... a bank heist. Buy a horse, and win big at the races. What could possibly go wrong? Aunt Bea from andy griffith (Frances Bavier) is in here as Max's' nagging mom. And keep an eye out for Richard Deacon, probably best known as Mel on Dick vanDyke. It's pretty good! Moves a bit slow, but no major story issues. Directed by henry levin. Ewell had just done Itch, and rooney had just been nominated for bold and brave. They were both pretty big name at this point. Good stuff. Not shown very often.
6 Reviews
The Wrong Man is the Trainer
boblipton6 June 2009
Mickey Rooney's career was sputtering like Jack Benny's Maxwell when he made this movie. His vehicles were in buddy comedies after he left MGM, but never with the same buddy twice. Here, teamed with Tom Ewell, they play a pair of sad sacks who rob a couple of banks to finance a racing stable. Rooney tries to act with his usual high energy level, but Ewell plays things at his usual slow pace, and the result is annoying to me. In addition, the print looks to be off a very dark 16 mm. copy, rather than the camera negative or a 35 mm. -- Fox junked a lot of its original prints when it seemed the only market for a lot of their films was TV.
Mickey Shaughnessey plays his usual Runyonesque role, but, unfortunately, screenwriter Sydney Boehm did not write a Runyonesque vehicle. Nothing quite works in this movie, alas, but it is good to know these real talents survived this.
Mickey Shaughnessey plays his usual Runyonesque role, but, unfortunately, screenwriter Sydney Boehm did not write a Runyonesque vehicle. Nothing quite works in this movie, alas, but it is good to know these real talents survived this.
It's a lovely comedy...provided you don't mind that it isn't funny.
planktonrules8 January 2024
"A Nice Little Bank That Should Be Robbed" is supposed to be a comedy. However, it has two huge problems. First, and most importantly, it isn't funny. Second, you don't care about the characters nor their plight. I know these are minor quibbles...
Max and Gus (Tom Ewell and Mickey Rooney) are dumb losers who have dreams of owning their own race horse. But, in addition to being dumb losers, they have no money. So, they decide to rob a bank. The robbery goes surprisingly smoothly and they buy a horse. But again and again, they bet big money on the horse and lose. Now they are broke again and still have a horse. With their new partner, Rocky (Mickey Shaughnessy), they decide to commit one more robbery. What's next?
The movie wasn't written well. In order to work, it should have been MUCH funnier and also found a way for the viewer to like the characters...or at least care what happens to them. I didn't care and as the film progressed, I found myself caring less and less. It's a shame, as the actors seemed to try but they were given limp material with which to work.
Max and Gus (Tom Ewell and Mickey Rooney) are dumb losers who have dreams of owning their own race horse. But, in addition to being dumb losers, they have no money. So, they decide to rob a bank. The robbery goes surprisingly smoothly and they buy a horse. But again and again, they bet big money on the horse and lose. Now they are broke again and still have a horse. With their new partner, Rocky (Mickey Shaughnessy), they decide to commit one more robbery. What's next?
The movie wasn't written well. In order to work, it should have been MUCH funnier and also found a way for the viewer to like the characters...or at least care what happens to them. I didn't care and as the film progressed, I found myself caring less and less. It's a shame, as the actors seemed to try but they were given limp material with which to work.
A Diverting Little Comedy!
JohnHowardReid17 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Producer: Anthony Muto. Copyright 1958 by 20th Century-Fox Film Corp. New York opening at neighborhood cinemas: 10 December 1958. U.S. release: December 1958. U.K. release: 27 July 1958 (sic). Australian release: 11 September 1958. 7,841 feet. 87 minutes. U.K. release title: HOW TO ROB A BANK.
SYNOPSIS: For five years Max Rutgers has been taking vitamin pills, delaying his marriage to Margie Solitaire, and losing all his money on slow horses. When Margie gives him an ultimatum — marriage or else — Max's free-loading pal, Gus, comes up with an idea: rob a bank! With incredible ease the two pull off a robbery, take the $30,000 and set themselves up with a racing stable in Saratoga. Reluctantly, they take in their blackmailing bookie friend, Rocky, as a third owner. They bet everything on their horse, Tattooed Man, who wins the race but is disqualified on a foul. Broke again, the boys pull another robbery, but this time with something less than their earlier success.
NOTES: Tom Ewell's Fox career took off with a bang when he starred opposite Marilyn Monroe in "The Seven Year Itch". He was then top- billed over Monroe challengers Sheree North in "The Lieutenant Wore Skirts" and Jayne Mansfield in "The Girl Can't Help It". On loan-out to M-G-M, he headlined "The Great American Pastime" which failed to secure a New York showcase. Although he received lead billing in "A Nice Little Bank", at this stage his career was in decline.
COMMENT: I remember this one received unanimously enthusiastic reviews from the New York critics. It is indeed a diverting little comedy. And it's cleverly scripted by long-time gangster-movie specialist, Sydney Boehm (based on an article by Evan Wylie).
I particularly like the brilliant send-up of the obligatory police raid at the climax, masterfully directed by Henry Levin. Acting is very entertaining, with Rooney ranting and raving delightfully and Mickey Shaughnessy giving solid support. Tom Ewell tends to overdo the mugging, but he has some good moments, particularly when he is alone in the bank with old-time silent star Madge Kennedy and Richard Deacon doing his manager bit.
Production credits are good, especially the black-and-white CinemaScope photography by Leo Tover.
SYNOPSIS: For five years Max Rutgers has been taking vitamin pills, delaying his marriage to Margie Solitaire, and losing all his money on slow horses. When Margie gives him an ultimatum — marriage or else — Max's free-loading pal, Gus, comes up with an idea: rob a bank! With incredible ease the two pull off a robbery, take the $30,000 and set themselves up with a racing stable in Saratoga. Reluctantly, they take in their blackmailing bookie friend, Rocky, as a third owner. They bet everything on their horse, Tattooed Man, who wins the race but is disqualified on a foul. Broke again, the boys pull another robbery, but this time with something less than their earlier success.
NOTES: Tom Ewell's Fox career took off with a bang when he starred opposite Marilyn Monroe in "The Seven Year Itch". He was then top- billed over Monroe challengers Sheree North in "The Lieutenant Wore Skirts" and Jayne Mansfield in "The Girl Can't Help It". On loan-out to M-G-M, he headlined "The Great American Pastime" which failed to secure a New York showcase. Although he received lead billing in "A Nice Little Bank", at this stage his career was in decline.
COMMENT: I remember this one received unanimously enthusiastic reviews from the New York critics. It is indeed a diverting little comedy. And it's cleverly scripted by long-time gangster-movie specialist, Sydney Boehm (based on an article by Evan Wylie).
I particularly like the brilliant send-up of the obligatory police raid at the climax, masterfully directed by Henry Levin. Acting is very entertaining, with Rooney ranting and raving delightfully and Mickey Shaughnessy giving solid support. Tom Ewell tends to overdo the mugging, but he has some good moments, particularly when he is alone in the bank with old-time silent star Madge Kennedy and Richard Deacon doing his manager bit.
Production credits are good, especially the black-and-white CinemaScope photography by Leo Tover.
ONE OF THE ORIGINAL BUDDY, BUDDY FILMS
tcchelsey29 January 2022
This is a funny, quirky little film that turns up on tv every once in awhile. Here, Tom Ewell and Mickey
Rooney, two every day guys without money, decide
to pull off a bank robbery to help ease their horse
racing gambling debts. It comes off as poor man's
ODD COUPLE odyssey as Ewell and Rooney make a
mess of everything, although they do manage to
rob a bank. There is a excellent supporting cast
of familiar faces, particularly Frances Bavier as
Ewell's doting landlady, complete with apron and
stuck in the kitchen, which may have inspired her
casting for Aunt Bee on the Andy Griffith Show.
Also there is pretty Dina Merrill (as the proverbial gal pal), Richard Deacon and former Bowery Boy Stanley Clements, still acting like one of the Bowery Boys! Produced through 20th century Fox, and in black and white. One of those movies for a lazy Saturday afternoon, especially for all of us old movie buffs.
Also there is pretty Dina Merrill (as the proverbial gal pal), Richard Deacon and former Bowery Boy Stanley Clements, still acting like one of the Bowery Boys! Produced through 20th century Fox, and in black and white. One of those movies for a lazy Saturday afternoon, especially for all of us old movie buffs.
Funny !
1969VIETNAM30 November 2021
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