Frank Morgan is a patent medicine salesman who has traveled the country lying and conning the public. When he hears that his estranged daughter is rich, he decides to give up the business and locate her. He hasn't seen her since she was a baby and he has visions of establishing a loving relationship with her now that her mother has died. However, he soon learns that she is in fact penniless and he has great difficulty telling her that he, too, is broke. So from the onset, he begins filling her head with lots of stories of his success and wealth. None of this really makes sense, as his habitual lying will soon be obvious. However, when the truth is finally known, unexpectedly everyone forgives him and they live happily ever after. Yeah, right. The guy abandons his daughter and then returns and is soon exposed as a habitual liar AND then everyone smiles and the movie ends on a happy note! Only in Hollywood could this story have taken place!
While I like Frank Morgan in movies, this one seems to indicate that the actor was better off as a supporting actor than playing lead. In many of his films (including THE WIZARD OF OZ), Morgan played a lovable rogue--a film-flam man who has a way with stretching the truth. But here, when this is THE sole focus of an entire film, it becomes rather tiresome. Plus the writing is very trite and silly--making it a bit of a chore to finish this silly vehicle. The supporting characters don't help much, as none of them are that interesting. As another user pointed out, Bonita Granville plays a pretty obnoxious role. Also, Billie Burke plays what appears to be the stupidest and most gullible lady in history. Do yourself a favor and skip this one. It ain't that bad, but it sure ain't good, either!
By the way, this film is very, very similar to an earlier Frank Morgan picture, BEG BORROW OR STEAL--though this earlier film is much more entertaining. If you've got to see one of these films, DON'T make it THE WILD MAN OF BORNEO!
While I like Frank Morgan in movies, this one seems to indicate that the actor was better off as a supporting actor than playing lead. In many of his films (including THE WIZARD OF OZ), Morgan played a lovable rogue--a film-flam man who has a way with stretching the truth. But here, when this is THE sole focus of an entire film, it becomes rather tiresome. Plus the writing is very trite and silly--making it a bit of a chore to finish this silly vehicle. The supporting characters don't help much, as none of them are that interesting. As another user pointed out, Bonita Granville plays a pretty obnoxious role. Also, Billie Burke plays what appears to be the stupidest and most gullible lady in history. Do yourself a favor and skip this one. It ain't that bad, but it sure ain't good, either!
By the way, this film is very, very similar to an earlier Frank Morgan picture, BEG BORROW OR STEAL--though this earlier film is much more entertaining. If you've got to see one of these films, DON'T make it THE WILD MAN OF BORNEO!