Joe Penner does not say "Wanna buy a duck" once! This weak RKO comedy feature would have made an enjoyable 2 reel comedy, but at 64 minutes, it's just too much. Directed by comedy short expert Leslie Goodwins, it has the feel of an Edgar Kennedy or Leon Errol 2 reeler of the early 40s. The problem is after 20 minutes, one is exhausted from all of the slapstick. As opposed to the Leon Errol features of the same period which bore you to tears for 45 minutes setting up the 20 minute slapstick to come, this film takes off right away. Penner is the main character and there is no subplot. It is interesting to see Russ Brown, famous for introducing "Heart" in "Damn Yankees", 15 years earlier. Tom Kennedy, no relation to Edgar, is fine is Penner's nemesis. Fritz Feld is completely wasted. If you have enjoyed the RKO short comedies of Kennedy and Errol, this film is worth a look. Penner only appeared in one feature after this: the funny, but disappointing "Boys from Syracuse".
Review of Millionaire Playboy
