Ann Sothern must have been busy that week... SHE usually starred in these RKO, mid 1930's films with Gene Raymond. Guy pursues girl, Girl treats guy like crap, Guy and Girl FINALLY iron things out, similar to Fred Astair and Ginger films, but here, no dancing and singing. And at least the awesome, sarcastic Helen Broderick is in it, as always backing up Gene Raymond's underhanded character; she seems to want love to succeed, even when the young female lead is against it. In this one, Wendy Barrie is Paula, who is chased around the country by Michael (Gene Raymond) on some wild, silly caper, because he made a bet with someone. This one is just like all the other lightweight, fun, silly chases Raymond made in the 1930s. With the production code in full force, it had to be kept light and fluffy. Directed by Leigh Jason, who made three of these love stories with Raymond. Its a great 77 minutes of fun! FINALLY available on Warner Brothers Archives website.
6 Reviews
Fun characters in entertaining cross country adventure
csteidler22 January 2020
Fast talker Gene Raymond wants to produce a play. His rich uncle refuses to back the play because its plot is ridiculous: A man leaves New York in his underwear and arrives 10 days later in Los Angeles with a new suit, $100 in his pocket, and a beautiful fiancée.
It's not ridiculous, Raymond argues. He says that he could do it himself--and bets his uncle that he will. If Raymond wins the bet, his uncle finances the play. If Raymond fails, he takes a job in the uncle's meat packing plant.
Meanwhile, Wendy Barrie and her aunt Helen Broderick discuss whether Barrie should marry wealthy Addison Randall. She would rather not but they're broke so, "All right, dear," she says, "I'll marry him." Barrie and Broderick set out on a cross country drive to Los Angeles to catch up with Randall; not at all surprisingly, on the way out of town, Raymond jumps on board as a travel partner and the unlikely trio set off together.
Their adventures along the way include a lesson from Raymond on roasting marshmallows ("Just keep your head down, your eye on the marshmallow, follow through"), a cider drinking contest with a surprise winner, and an encounter with a couple of wanted criminals.
Gene Raymond is brash and funny; Wendy Barrie is a good match, feisty and energetic. The plot is nothing too original, and for the most part this picture is a pretty standard entry in the cross country romance genre. However, the characters are well drawn and the stars are fun to watch. Overall this is a fun picture.
It's not ridiculous, Raymond argues. He says that he could do it himself--and bets his uncle that he will. If Raymond wins the bet, his uncle finances the play. If Raymond fails, he takes a job in the uncle's meat packing plant.
Meanwhile, Wendy Barrie and her aunt Helen Broderick discuss whether Barrie should marry wealthy Addison Randall. She would rather not but they're broke so, "All right, dear," she says, "I'll marry him." Barrie and Broderick set out on a cross country drive to Los Angeles to catch up with Randall; not at all surprisingly, on the way out of town, Raymond jumps on board as a travel partner and the unlikely trio set off together.
Their adventures along the way include a lesson from Raymond on roasting marshmallows ("Just keep your head down, your eye on the marshmallow, follow through"), a cider drinking contest with a surprise winner, and an encounter with a couple of wanted criminals.
Gene Raymond is brash and funny; Wendy Barrie is a good match, feisty and energetic. The plot is nothing too original, and for the most part this picture is a pretty standard entry in the cross country romance genre. However, the characters are well drawn and the stars are fun to watch. Overall this is a fun picture.
Deserves to be better remembered
mortycausa20 February 2006
Superb comedy starring two underrated comedy performers, Gene Raymond and Wendy Barrie. Helen Broderick, she of many a stalwart supporting comedy roles, especially at her best in the Astaire/Rogers musicals. And here. Like many comedies, it's a road picture. Raymond makes a bet with his rich Uncle that he can cross the country without any money, or clothes for that matter. One of the incidental, but prime, delights of the movie, is that it serves as treasure trove of all sorts of little bits of Americana--traveling highways before interstates and four-lanes, motor courts, homemade preserves, the apparel of the time, etc. The banter among the three principles is of a high order, Raymond's line readings are on par with the best--Gable in It Happened One Night; Powell in a number of thirties comedies like Libeled Lady, The Thin Man, and My Man Godfrey. He especially reminds me of McCrea in Woman Chases Man and The Richest Girl in the World. And Barrie keeps up with him all the way--in later collaborations with Raymond (as in Cross Country Romance) she was a little too strident, but here she's perfect. Raymond would also team with Ann Sothern in some like comedies, some of which are quite good, but this is the best one Raymond made. The plot of Love on a Bet is loose enough for the movie to seem improvised, almost leisurely at times, yet tight enough to create real tension, and to threaten our hope that everything works out. But of course it does.
What a fun movie! Witty, snappy, quirky plot.
spinhead20 February 1999
One of the wittiest comedies I've ever seen. Intelligently written, every line is worth hearing. Delivery and timing are nearly perfect. The story is original; strange, but fun. Nice mix of comedy and romance, with a happy twist ending. Holds up very well against "It Happened One Night" which won all five major academy awards when it was released two years earlier. So many similarities: romantic comedy taking place in a very short span of time under very unusual, but somehow believable, circumstances. Not high art, but if you like the romantic comedies of the 30s and 40s, you'll love this movie.
Had high hopes that this would be funny in spite of an implausible story.
mark.waltz29 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Okay, I'll admit that I did laugh here and there in this RKO screwball comedy about a near do well playwright who bets his uncle that he can leave New York in his underwear and arrive in Los Angeles fully dressed and with a beautiful girl on his arm. Certainly, by the time he reaches the Holland Tunnel, he is in a full dinner suit and by some luck of the draw, has a girl on his arms by the fade-out. This is one of those films where you have to take it with a grain of salt simply because the writer puts everything down on paper so his scheme works so he can actually put on a play that has the same premise as what he went through.
The film features Gene Raymond as the wacky playwright, Wendy Barrie as a temperamental socialite and Helen Broderick as her wisecracking aunt. Handsome Raymond seems to have enough charm to get through to any snooty socialite, but for some reason, Barrie is completely oblivious to that until they go through several adventures to where she has to see how much she needed him to be around on her road trip cross-country. On the way, they encounter a group of escaped convicts and this opens Barrie to Raymond's charms, but it will take more than just heroics to melt this Ice princess's heart.
It comes to no surprise for me that the real gem in this film is he always wonderful Helen Broderick, fresh from appearing opposite Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in both "Top Hat" and "Swing Time". She can take a rather ordinary line and make it hysterically funny, and truly is invaluable an unforgettable even in shallow films like this one. Raymond and Barrie do not have much chemistry. He was better paired with Ann Sothern who could do this type of a film in her sleep. The film goes on about a reel too long but thanks to Broderick, it is worth seeking out simply for her.
The film features Gene Raymond as the wacky playwright, Wendy Barrie as a temperamental socialite and Helen Broderick as her wisecracking aunt. Handsome Raymond seems to have enough charm to get through to any snooty socialite, but for some reason, Barrie is completely oblivious to that until they go through several adventures to where she has to see how much she needed him to be around on her road trip cross-country. On the way, they encounter a group of escaped convicts and this opens Barrie to Raymond's charms, but it will take more than just heroics to melt this Ice princess's heart.
It comes to no surprise for me that the real gem in this film is he always wonderful Helen Broderick, fresh from appearing opposite Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in both "Top Hat" and "Swing Time". She can take a rather ordinary line and make it hysterically funny, and truly is invaluable an unforgettable even in shallow films like this one. Raymond and Barrie do not have much chemistry. He was better paired with Ann Sothern who could do this type of a film in her sleep. The film goes on about a reel too long but thanks to Broderick, it is worth seeking out simply for her.
Super fast-talking and witty comedy with less known cast
SimonJack7 December 2017
Warning: Spoilers
"Love on a Bet" is an excellent fast-paced comedy with much witty and funny dialog. This is among Gene Raymond's best films and shows his talent for fast-talking and thinking comedy. Here, he has self- deprecating lines and misstatements as he talks, swaps and barters his way from New York to L. A. But, just about everyone in the film gets in on the zingers. Aunt Charlotte (Helen Broderick) is an unabashed goldbricker and she's second with the zingers, only to Raymond.
The plot is crazy to start with - in the genre of the wealthy guy who bets he can make it on his own. Only this one has a different twist - even more far out. Raymond is Michael MacCreigh who needs $15,000 (about $260,000 in 2015 dollars) to back his friend Stephen's play. Uncle Carlton (the meat packing king) thinks the play is dumb and no one would believe it. So, he won't back it but instead wants Michael (aka, "Butch") to go to work for him in the meat business.
Unable to get backing elsewhere, Michael makes a wager with Uncle Carlton. He will take the role of Stephen's lead character and prove that the plot is possible. He will start from New York in nothing more than his underwear, referring to it by the brand name, BVDs. Ten days later he will show up in Los Angeles in a new suit, with $100 in his pocket, and a fiancé on his arm. He can't tell anyone about it or who he is. If he wins, uncle forks over the $15,000. If he loses, he goes to work for uncle - with no complaints.
One knows what's supposed to happen in this movie, but each step along the way, Michael surprises the audience. How he got out of New York without getting pinched for indecent exposure (as Uncle Carlton said was likely to happen) is a hoot.
Without more details of the story, Michael meets Paula Gilbert (Wendy Barrie) and then her Aunt Charlotte and they wisecrack it together all across the country. The many funny scenes yield lots of chuckles and laughter. This film is superb for its fast running dialog of one-liners, wise cracks and witticisms. It may be the zaniest quick- witted screenplay of any film.
For 1936 and RKO as a major studio, this film seems lacking in quality. The screenplay also has some holes and the film editing seems a little shoddy. It may be a "B" picture, and without the top cast of the day. But the players are close to the top and the screenplay is terrific. With tighter writing, editing and better film quality, this could be a 10-star film. All of the cast are very good. Raymond is especially good. Following is a sampling of the clever and funny dialog. For much more of this, see the Quotes section under this IMDb web page of the film.
Michael MacCreigh, "I've seen some of the plays he's backed. They don't hold a candle to this one." Miss Mannerly, "Maybe you'd better hold a candle to it."
Man at Hutchinson's Meeting, "How do you find the market?" Stephen Dody, "Oh, uh, my wife does all the shopping."
Michael, "You're getting to think too much of me, Uncle Carlton. Really, I'm not worth it." Uncle Carlton, "Certainly you're worth it. A man of your accomplishments is not to be taken lightly." Michael, "Say, I'm never taken lightly. When they take me, they take me for everything I've got."
Uncle Carlton, "Are you cold?" Michael, shivering in the cold walk-in cooler, "No. I'm practicing for the DTs."
Aunt Charlotte, "Don't worry. We nearly had him proposing once, we'll do it again." Paula Gilbert, "We? That's an idea. Why don't you get married and have the 12 children?" Aunt Charlotte, "You know, I've often thought of it. But no one else has."
Michael, "I wonder if I could persuade you gentlemen to let me have some of that delicious smelling Mulligan Stew?" Hobo, "Sorry, your honor. We don't believe in handouts." (He spits on the ground.)
Paula, "You're the Central Park lunatic." Michael, "Oh, what do you mean?" Paula, "You are the lunatic." Michael, waving his hand, "That wasn't me. I don't like parks."
Michael, "Well, all my life I've been known as the lesser of two evils."
Michael, holding a jar of jam marked 25 cents, "If you don't mind, I'll take my $2 pay in these preserves." Plaza Ritz Hotel Owner, "Okay. You're getting a good bargain, son. They cost 50 cents each to make." Michael, "Well, how can you do it?" Hotel owner, "Well, we hardly sell any at all. So we don't lose much."
Aunt Charlotte, "This is against my better part of judgment." Michael. "The best part of life is against your better part of judgment."
Michael, "There's an old saying in my family. It's not the sentiment it's the gift."
Donovan, "I don't get this at all. Why don't we just take the car and scram? Why take this mob along?" Morton, "Because, my mental mastodon, in this case, five's company and two's a crowd. At least we two."
Michael, "So, I'm to conclude that she's marrying someone else because she loves me so much?"
Aunt Charlotte, "All men are beasts, only some are more or less house- broken." Paula, "Well, next time, we'll ask for his pedigree."
Michael, "Now, will you marry me" Paula, "No!" Michael, "I'm a pauper and I haven't got a cent." Paula, less firmly, "No." Michael, "I'll probably never amount to anything." Paula, not convincingly, "Nnn no." Michael, "Well, you'll probably have to take in washing." Paula, "Why didn't you say so in the first place?" She smiles and they embrace.
The plot is crazy to start with - in the genre of the wealthy guy who bets he can make it on his own. Only this one has a different twist - even more far out. Raymond is Michael MacCreigh who needs $15,000 (about $260,000 in 2015 dollars) to back his friend Stephen's play. Uncle Carlton (the meat packing king) thinks the play is dumb and no one would believe it. So, he won't back it but instead wants Michael (aka, "Butch") to go to work for him in the meat business.
Unable to get backing elsewhere, Michael makes a wager with Uncle Carlton. He will take the role of Stephen's lead character and prove that the plot is possible. He will start from New York in nothing more than his underwear, referring to it by the brand name, BVDs. Ten days later he will show up in Los Angeles in a new suit, with $100 in his pocket, and a fiancé on his arm. He can't tell anyone about it or who he is. If he wins, uncle forks over the $15,000. If he loses, he goes to work for uncle - with no complaints.
One knows what's supposed to happen in this movie, but each step along the way, Michael surprises the audience. How he got out of New York without getting pinched for indecent exposure (as Uncle Carlton said was likely to happen) is a hoot.
Without more details of the story, Michael meets Paula Gilbert (Wendy Barrie) and then her Aunt Charlotte and they wisecrack it together all across the country. The many funny scenes yield lots of chuckles and laughter. This film is superb for its fast running dialog of one-liners, wise cracks and witticisms. It may be the zaniest quick- witted screenplay of any film.
For 1936 and RKO as a major studio, this film seems lacking in quality. The screenplay also has some holes and the film editing seems a little shoddy. It may be a "B" picture, and without the top cast of the day. But the players are close to the top and the screenplay is terrific. With tighter writing, editing and better film quality, this could be a 10-star film. All of the cast are very good. Raymond is especially good. Following is a sampling of the clever and funny dialog. For much more of this, see the Quotes section under this IMDb web page of the film.
Michael MacCreigh, "I've seen some of the plays he's backed. They don't hold a candle to this one." Miss Mannerly, "Maybe you'd better hold a candle to it."
Man at Hutchinson's Meeting, "How do you find the market?" Stephen Dody, "Oh, uh, my wife does all the shopping."
Michael, "You're getting to think too much of me, Uncle Carlton. Really, I'm not worth it." Uncle Carlton, "Certainly you're worth it. A man of your accomplishments is not to be taken lightly." Michael, "Say, I'm never taken lightly. When they take me, they take me for everything I've got."
Uncle Carlton, "Are you cold?" Michael, shivering in the cold walk-in cooler, "No. I'm practicing for the DTs."
Aunt Charlotte, "Don't worry. We nearly had him proposing once, we'll do it again." Paula Gilbert, "We? That's an idea. Why don't you get married and have the 12 children?" Aunt Charlotte, "You know, I've often thought of it. But no one else has."
Michael, "I wonder if I could persuade you gentlemen to let me have some of that delicious smelling Mulligan Stew?" Hobo, "Sorry, your honor. We don't believe in handouts." (He spits on the ground.)
Paula, "You're the Central Park lunatic." Michael, "Oh, what do you mean?" Paula, "You are the lunatic." Michael, waving his hand, "That wasn't me. I don't like parks."
Michael, "Well, all my life I've been known as the lesser of two evils."
Michael, holding a jar of jam marked 25 cents, "If you don't mind, I'll take my $2 pay in these preserves." Plaza Ritz Hotel Owner, "Okay. You're getting a good bargain, son. They cost 50 cents each to make." Michael, "Well, how can you do it?" Hotel owner, "Well, we hardly sell any at all. So we don't lose much."
Aunt Charlotte, "This is against my better part of judgment." Michael. "The best part of life is against your better part of judgment."
Michael, "There's an old saying in my family. It's not the sentiment it's the gift."
Donovan, "I don't get this at all. Why don't we just take the car and scram? Why take this mob along?" Morton, "Because, my mental mastodon, in this case, five's company and two's a crowd. At least we two."
Michael, "So, I'm to conclude that she's marrying someone else because she loves me so much?"
Aunt Charlotte, "All men are beasts, only some are more or less house- broken." Paula, "Well, next time, we'll ask for his pedigree."
Michael, "Now, will you marry me" Paula, "No!" Michael, "I'm a pauper and I haven't got a cent." Paula, less firmly, "No." Michael, "I'll probably never amount to anything." Paula, not convincingly, "Nnn no." Michael, "Well, you'll probably have to take in washing." Paula, "Why didn't you say so in the first place?" She smiles and they embrace.
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