... and based on the novel by Edward Westcott. Rogers stars as David Harum, a small town banker in the 1890's. His unconventional ways and folksy wisdom endear him to some, but rankle others, like church Deacon Perkins (Charles Middleton), with whom he gets into a back-and-forth horse-trading contest. Harum's newest bank employee John (Kent Taylor) falls for local beauty Ann (Evelyn Venable), a union that the banker tries to facilitate from behind the scenes.
The source novel was a big hit, but for dubious reasons; many businessmen liked the excuses made by the lead character for morally questionable business practices ("stick to him before he sticks it you"), excuses that they themselves started implementing in the real world.
The novel's success led to a stage adaptation and a film in 1915. This 1934 version proved to be one of Fox's biggest hits, and a radio show adaptation started in 1936 ran for 15 years. This film is like many of Rogers' others from the period, such as Doctor Bull and Judge Priest, with Will acting as a benevolent, down-home philosopher and sometime romantic matchmaker for his younger co-stars.
Stepin Fetchit, a frequent Rogers co-star, appears once again, this time even more incomprehensible than usual. Louise Dresser, as Rogers' sister, doesn't get a lot to do. One notable aspect of this film is the depiction of harness racing, which rarely appears in cinema.
This movie is mostly agreeable fluff, easily digested and quickly forgotten.
The source novel was a big hit, but for dubious reasons; many businessmen liked the excuses made by the lead character for morally questionable business practices ("stick to him before he sticks it you"), excuses that they themselves started implementing in the real world.
The novel's success led to a stage adaptation and a film in 1915. This 1934 version proved to be one of Fox's biggest hits, and a radio show adaptation started in 1936 ran for 15 years. This film is like many of Rogers' others from the period, such as Doctor Bull and Judge Priest, with Will acting as a benevolent, down-home philosopher and sometime romantic matchmaker for his younger co-stars.
Stepin Fetchit, a frequent Rogers co-star, appears once again, this time even more incomprehensible than usual. Louise Dresser, as Rogers' sister, doesn't get a lot to do. One notable aspect of this film is the depiction of harness racing, which rarely appears in cinema.
This movie is mostly agreeable fluff, easily digested and quickly forgotten.