IMDb RATING
6.7/10
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YOUR RATING
Jailbird is hired to lead a dimwitted candidate's campaign for governor.Jailbird is hired to lead a dimwitted candidate's campaign for governor.Jailbird is hired to lead a dimwitted candidate's campaign for governor.
Robert Emmett O'Connor
- Sheriff
- (as Robert E. O'Connor)
Louise Beavers
- Levinnia, Kay's Maid
- (uncredited)
Harry C. Bradley
- Blue Ribbon Man
- (uncredited)
Edgar Dearing
- Delegate
- (uncredited)
Harrison Greene
- Delegate Next to Hicks
- (uncredited)
Otto Hoffman
- Justice of the Peace
- (uncredited)
Harry Leroy
- Delegate
- (uncredited)
Wilfred Lucas
- Debate Chairman
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe Abraham Lincoln speech referred to in this movie wasn't a speech at all, but a published letter from Lincoln. It was his first announcement of running for political office. He was just 23 years old at the time and was a newcomer to Illinois - having moved there in 1830. He was running for a seat in the Illinois General Assembly. The letter was printed March 9, 1832, in the Sangamo Journal of Springfield, IL. The letter is lengthy and describes Lincoln's views on public improvements, navigation of the Sangamon River, and education.
The words, supposedly plagiarized in this movie from a Lincoln speech, were at the end of the last paragraph in his long letter. They read, "I am young and unknown to many of you. I was born and have ever remained in the most humble walks of life. I have no wealthy or popular relations to recommend me. My case is thrown exclusively upon the independent voters of this county, and if elected they will have conferred a favor upon me, for which I shall be unremitting in my labors to compensate. But if the good people in their wisdom shall see fit to keep me in the back ground, I have been too familiar with disappointments to be very much chagrined." The letter was signed, "Your friend and fellow-citizen, A. Lincoln, New Salem, March 9, 1832.
- GoofsWhen Kay (Bette Davis) brings back the $400 to Maybelle, she returns to her office. Hal tries to enter her office but can't because the door is locked. The locking handle is on Hal's side of the door.
- Quotes
Hal Samson Blake: He's the dumbest human being I ever saw. Every time he opens his mouth he subtracts from the sum total of human knowledge.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Hollywood and the Stars: The Angry Screen (1964)
- SoundtracksFor He's a Jolly Good Fellow
(uncredited)
Traditional
Played at the convention
Featured review
An amusing take-off of the American political process, 1930's style, but it falters halfway through.
I had lots of chuckles for the first half of this spoof of the American political scene in the 1930's, when a deadlocked Progressive Party convention finally nominates delegate Zachary Hicks (Guy Kibbee) for governor because one of the party leaders liked his name, and then spread the word he'd be a good compromise candidate. What they didn't bargain for was that Kibbee was as dumb as could be. Party secretary, Bette Davis (young and beautiful in this early role), suggests getting the dynamo campaign manager, Warren William, to handle the campaign. The funniest scene occurs at the debate, when Kibbee's opponent (Berton Churchill) starts to give the same speech (written by Abraham Lincoln) that William had Kibbee memorize. William jumps up and accuses Churchill of plagiarism.
Kibbee is perfect as the dumb candidate, with his wide cherubic grin and innocent, halting way of speaking. William is also excellent as the fast talking, fast thinking manager, a part he played many times in previous and later films. Unfortunately, when William's ex-wife, Vivienne Osborne, shows up demanding past alimony payments and causing Davis to become jealous, the focus of the film changes a bit, much to its detriment. Still, the opposition Conservative Party has some tricks up their sleeve trying to win the election, which keeps the film interesting.
Kibbee is perfect as the dumb candidate, with his wide cherubic grin and innocent, halting way of speaking. William is also excellent as the fast talking, fast thinking manager, a part he played many times in previous and later films. Unfortunately, when William's ex-wife, Vivienne Osborne, shows up demanding past alimony payments and causing Davis to become jealous, the focus of the film changes a bit, much to its detriment. Still, the opposition Conservative Party has some tricks up their sleeve trying to win the election, which keeps the film interesting.
Details
- Runtime1 hour 15 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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