"Let's Make a Million" is a Paramount comedy with a mostly lesser-known cast except for Edward Everett Horton. He has the lead role, as he did in a number of early sound films after a start in silent pictures. But mostly he would be recognized by movie buffs from his supporting roles in many comedies with big name stars of the 1930s-1950s. Horton was a wonderful actor who performed on the silver screen and then TV right up until his death in 1970 at age 84.
In this film, he plays Harrison Gentry, in his home town of Gentry, Oklahoma, where many of the stores are owned and operated by people of that family name. He is well liked and the town folk seem to take his lead in everything. When he gets swindled by a couple of guys who get him to invest in an oil well, the town folk who had invested as well blame him when the conmen take a powder. So, he's disowned, kicked out of his veterans group, and no longer liked. But when a friend helps him finish a well that hits oil and paydirt, he's once again a hero and everyone's friend.
There's a little matter of morals mixed in with this comedy. Anyway, things work out with the amusing comedy. It doesn't have clever or funny dialog, nor slapstick or antics. It's mostly a comedy of situations with neighbors and friends.
One notable thing about this film - at least to bona fide movie buffs from the early days, is the appearance of The Pixilated Sisters. Harrison's two aunts, Martha and Lucy, are played by Margaret Seddon and Margaret McWade. They were a vaudeville team and act for years and played on Broadway. They are best remembered for their portrayals as the pixilated Faulkner sisters, Jane and Amy, in the 1936 smash hit, "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town," that starred Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur.
This is a light comedy that fans of E.E. .Horton, especially, should enjoy.
