Frack e cravatta bianca

Dan Duryea is the butler to John Miljan and his menage. When the family goes on a vacation to Florida, Duryea sends the other servants on a paid holiday (except for chauffeur Frank Jenks). He then borrows Miljan's evening clothes, his automobile and Jenks and goes on a night on the town, where he is a hit with the upper crust. They don't know he is a failed artist who became a butler to enjoy the finer things in life. All they know is he speaks well and can mix a perfect cocktail, whether it's a martini or a sazerac. Ella Raines is impressed, and so is her father. When Duryea offers to be the go-between to pay off her sister's gambling debts to William Bendix, and get his henchman's hooks out of her, they accept. In fact, his gentlemanly demeanor impels Bendix to take his rubber check for one hundred grand. Then Bendix comes by Miljan's house, takes a Goya and Corot as security, and Duryea starts to sweat, while he waits for a check from Miss Raines' father to cover his, and for everyone to discover what a fraud he is.

It's a nicely written movie, and Bendix is well cast as a mug who aspires to be a gentleman -- I love the way he says "Goya". What's surprising is Duryea giving the most understated performance I've ever seen him in. Charles Barton may not have been the most distinguished of directors, but he offers the audience with a light touch and plenty of grace notes. With Richard Gaines, Clarence Kolb, and Samuel S. Hinds.