The Wild Man of Borneo

Film is based on a failed 1927 Broadway play (15 performances) and was bought in 1928 for W.C. Fields. Pity it never got made because the blowhard character was perfect for Fields.

Instead we have Frank Morgan as the blowhard posing as a great actor while living in a theatrical boarding house in New York. He lives with his daughter (Mary Howard) and sparks the romantic interest of the owner of the house (Billie Burke). But he's not an actor; he sells snake oil, elixirs, and cheap soap on street corners.

While the naive daughter becomes involved with another boarder (Dan Dailey), Morgan tries to find work. Be he's piqued the nosy interest of other boarders because of his bragging and outrageous stories and he is discovered playing a "Wild Man of Borneo" in a cheap side show.

Not bad, but you can just hear W.C. Fields snarling out the lines. Co-stars include Donald Meek as Birdo, Connie Gilchrist and Bonita Granville and the mother/daughter boarders, Marjorie Main as the surly cook, Walter Catlett as Skelby, and Phil Silvers the side show barker.