The Wild Man of Borneo

Snake-oil salesman Frank Morgan (as J. Daniel "Dan" Thompson) learns a wealthy sister-in law has died. He quits his crooked "Medicine Man" traveling show and goes to live with estranged 18-year-old daughter Mary Howard (as Mary) in her Twin Rapids mansion. Upon arriving, Mr. Morgan discovers Ms. Howard had to sell the furniture. The penniless pair move to a New York (36 East 17th Street) boarding house run by matronly Marjorie Main (as Irma). She and an eccentric group of theatrical supporting players help maintain interesting this farcical story. The writers give it a good sense of setting, with the characters involved in early 1900s theatrical antics. Examples include Morgan being rejected as a leading man for Sarah Bernhardt, appearing as a "black-face" voodoo native, and the development of motion pictures. However, the characters are patchy and the main story is drawn and inconsiderable.

**** The Wild Man of Borneo (1941-01-24) Robert B. Sinclair ~ Frank Morgan, Mary Howard, Billie Burke, Donald Meek