The Day the Bookies Wept

Joe Penner is primarily remembered for the catchphrase "Wanna buy a duck?" and for the vocal imitation that Looney Tunes' Egghead did of him -- the character later evolved into Elmer Fudd. Briefly a leading movie comedian, Penner made perhaps half a dozen movies and then.... well, I suppose he's dead by now. After spending more than an hour listening to his voice, I certainly hope so.

This movie, however, is a decent little affair, thanks to some beautiful comedy construction by the screenwriters, including George Jeske, and director Leslie Goodwins, who fill the movie with plenty of good gags, a nice comic turn by Thurston Hall as a con man, Betty Grable getting her break as the love interest and some good supporting comic turns, like Tom Kennedy.

This movie is by no means a great one, but a decent example of the sort of decent comedy that can be turned out by talented professionals despite a dud in the leading spot.