I'M FROM MISSOURI (Paramount, 1939) directed by Theodore Reed, suggested on the stories by Homer Croy and Julian Street, stars Bob Burns in another wholesome comedy best suited for his talents. Following his title character as THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER (1938), Burns resumes his rustic character now as a mule farmer from Missouri. Gladys George, in her return engagement to Paramount since her only Academy Award nominated performance in VALIANT IS THE WORD FOR CARRIE (1936) plays Burns' wife, with indication on how opposites do attract.
The story opens with newspaper headline clippings reading about the British buying boosts mule market to next clipping stating British stop buying Missouri mules in favor of purchasing tractors. "Sweeney" J. Bliss (Bob Burns), a bank director, refuses to sell Samson, his prize mule, for $10, thus keeping the animal with him on his ranch. While returning home, Sweeney witnesses a small airplane crash landing due to an oil leak. After the airplane is pulled out of the swamp by Samson, Sweeney makes acquaintance with the pilot (Richard Denning) and a British globetrotting couple, Hector (E. E. Clive) and Mrs. Arthur (Doris Lloyd). Unable to resume flight until the airplane is repaired, Sweeney invites the Arthurs as guests in his home, much to the dismay of his wife, Julie (Gladys George). Thanks to the fine hospitality, the Arthurs offer Sweeney their fixed airplane for him to take Samson over to the stock show taken place in Kansas City while Julie, along with her sister, Lola Alden Pike (Judith Barrett) and Joel Streight (William Henry), her beau, to meet him at the Stockman Hotel after the contest. Making the acquaintance of Captain Brooks Bowen (George P. Huntley Jr.) of the British Embassy, followed by George "Porgie" Rowe (Gene Lockhart), a tractor manufacturer, and his sister, Alison (Patricia Morison), Sweeney is invited to visit Southampton, England, to act as representative of the American mule market. By doing this, Mrs. Bliss gets her chance to live the high life among the British elites while Sweeney has second thoughts about his new assortment of friends and servants. Other members of the cast include James Burke (Sweeney's brother, Walt); Melville Cooper (Hearne, the butler); Dennie Moore (Kitty, the maid); William Collier Sr. (Mr. Smith); Lawrence Crossmith (Colonel Marshbank) and Tom Dugan (Gus).
Aside from Bob Burns amusing situations and yarn stories to tell for much of its 84 minutes and Gladys George's welcome presence, I'M FROM MISSOURI is a pleasing old-style comedy. Patricia Morison, a fine actress when good material allows, is given little to do showcasing her fine talents. With much of the others in the cast properly placed in their roles, this film very much belongs to Bob Burns. Why not? He's from Missouri.
Largely forgotten as is the name of Bob Burns himself, I'M FROM MISSOURI, is very hard to view since it's been out of the television markets since the early 1970s. Never distributed to home video, the wholesome comedy is available on DVD from a private collector. (**1/2 mules)
