The Inside Story

The film begins in 1948 but the bulk of it is shown in a flashback to 1933...though as usual, the folks in the film (particularly the women) are coiffed and dressed just like women from 1948. The flashback is all to illustrate to the audience that saving your money in a safe deposit box or keeping it at home is a bad idea. I can only assume the US government was pressuring people to keep spending in order to avoid a recession following the boom years for US industries during WWII.

While the Depression started at the end of 1929, the worst years for unemployment were 1932-33. So, it's not surprising in this film that everyone is having severe money problems. So, when $1000 is placed in the safe at the local hotel, bad things will happen because it's not being put to good use. When Horace sees this money, he assume it's money that was owed to him...and like practically everyone in the film, he owes others and uses the money to pay them...and so on and so on. The problem is that it turns out the money ISN'T Horace's and he'll likely go to jail unless it's returned...and fast.

This is an amiable comedy and I liked all the supporting actors. My only complaint is that the message is carried WAY too far and the film lacks subtlety. Still, it's a decent film and a nice little time-passer.