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The Meanest Man in the World

  • 1943
  • Approved
  • 57m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
367
YOUR RATING
Jack Benny and Priscilla Lane in The Meanest Man in the World (1943)
Comedy

A compassionate lawyer pretends to be heartless in order to boost his clientele, but it jeopardizes his romantic life.A compassionate lawyer pretends to be heartless in order to boost his clientele, but it jeopardizes his romantic life.A compassionate lawyer pretends to be heartless in order to boost his clientele, but it jeopardizes his romantic life.

  • Directors
    • Sidney Lanfield
    • Ernst Lubitsch
  • Writers
    • George Seaton
    • Allan House
    • George M. Cohan
  • Stars
    • Jack Benny
    • Priscilla Lane
    • Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    367
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • Sidney Lanfield
      • Ernst Lubitsch
    • Writers
      • George Seaton
      • Allan House
      • George M. Cohan
    • Stars
      • Jack Benny
      • Priscilla Lane
      • Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson
    • 9User reviews
    • 6Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro

    • Photos12

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    Top cast64

    Edit
    Jack Benny
    Jack Benny
    • Richard Clarke
    Priscilla Lane
    Priscilla Lane
    • Janie Brown
    Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson
    Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson
    • Shufro
    Edmund Gwenn
    Edmund Gwenn
    • Frederick P. Leggitt
    Matt Briggs
    Matt Briggs
    • Arthur Brown
    Anne Revere
    Anne Revere
    • Miss Crockett
    Margaret Seddon
    Margaret Seddon
    • Mrs. Frances H. Leggitt
    Donald Douglas
    Donald Douglas
    • Husband
    Helene Reynolds
    Helene Reynolds
    • Wife
    Jackie Averill
    • Boy with Lollipop
    • (uncredited)
    Conrad Binyon
    • Boy
    • (uncredited)
    Morgan Brown
    Morgan Brown
    • Pedestrian
    • (uncredited)
    Paul E. Burns
    Paul E. Burns
    • Farmer
    • (uncredited)
    Ralph Byrd
    Ralph Byrd
    • Reporter
    • (uncredited)
    James Carlisle
    • Client
    • (uncredited)
    Hobart Cavanaugh
    Hobart Cavanaugh
    • Mr. Throckmorton
    • (uncredited)
    Edward Clark
    Edward Clark
    • Jury Member
    • (uncredited)
    Chester Clute
    Chester Clute
    • Lawyer
    • (uncredited)
    • Directors
      • Sidney Lanfield
      • Ernst Lubitsch
    • Writers
      • George Seaton
      • Allan House
      • George M. Cohan
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In March 1943, when the film was in wide release, a lawsuit brought by a group of lawyers from New Haven, Connecticut charged that this comedy "showed the legal profession in a disreputable light." The complainants asked for the movie to be withdrawn, but their plea was thrown out by Connecticut Superior Court Judge Patrick O'Sullivan.
    • Crazy credits
      Eddie Anderson is credited as only "Rochester."
    • Connections
      Version of The Meanest Man in the World (1923)
    • Soundtracks
      I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now?
      (uncredited)
      Music by Joseph E. Howard and Harold Orlob and lyrics by William M. Hough and Frank R. Adams

    User reviews9

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10

    an overlooked gem!

    I was amazed when I saw this picture. After having seen The Horn Blows at Midnight, I had assumed that all of Jack Benny's pictures were pretty stupid and that his talent only extended to television and radio. Boy was I wrong.

    This very short movie (57 minutes) is outstanding and I have nothing negative to say about it. Benny is actually NOT the Meanest Man in the world but perhaps one of the nicest in the film. This is a real surprise because he is a lawyer (sorry to all you lawyers reading this). However, he finds that if people THINK he is mean and heartless his business will pick up considerably! If it comes on TCM or you can find it on video, give it a try. You're bound to love it (unless YOU are the meanest man in the world).
    • planktonrules
    • Jun 5, 2005
    • Permalink

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 12, 1943 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Pior que uma Fera
    • Filming locations
      • 20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA(Studio)
    • Production company
      • Twentieth Century Fox
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      57 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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    Jack Benny and Priscilla Lane in The Meanest Man in the World (1943)
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