Mister Cinderella (1936) Poster

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6/10
The son of a gun is nothing but a barber
bkoganbing22 February 2015
Jack Haley and Betty Furness star in this funny screwball comedy about a hotel barber and a society princess who actually get to meet and fall in love in the craziest of circumstances.

One of Haley's special duties is to look after permanent hotel resident Monroe Owsley who is a perpetually drunk playboy who has a date with Furness and family to discuss business. But Owsley if he ever had a serious thought in his head it would die of loneliness. So while he's still trying to negotiate sobriety, Haley impersonates Owsley and starts mingling with one of New York's 400.

The head of the family is Raymond Walburn who is one of those players that you know exactly what to expect from with his bloviating style of comedy. Ditto Arthur Treacher as the family butler and so on down the line of familiar players.

As for Haley dreams to come true for whom Owsley names Mister Cinderella. But it's how it happens that makes Mister Cinderella fun to watch.
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5/10
The wacky world of Hal Roach.
mark.waltz14 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
If it wasn't Laurel and Hardy, it was The Little Rascals. And if neither of them were available, it was Thelma Todd with either Zasu Pitts or Patsy Kelly. None of them are present in this delightful but over the top screwball comedy that shows "Wizard of Oz" Tin Man Jack Haley going from his regular duties as barber to the rich to posing as a wealthy eccentric to discuss business at a party with wealthy but struggling businessman Raymond Walburn and his eccentric daughter Betty Furness. Haley arrives at the party in style but before long, his accident-prone ways are creating havoc and Furness must get him alone in order to prevent the party from turning into a disaster. Their boat runs out of gas, he accidentally burns down a fishing cabin, and they wake up on the beach in the morning only for her to discover the truth about his identity. Further chaos ensues with a domineering aunt showing up to make plans for her niece's wedding, and then it is revealed that the millionaire Haley is posing at already has a wife. There's also a gangster in love with the wife on her tail, and this ends up resulting in a comical scene with Haley making a getaway in a car without a motor being peddled in a hidden compartment by droll butler Arthur Treacher.

In a short. Of time, the farce is overwhelming so you will probably have to watch this several times to pick up on all the gags. Actually, it is worth watching more than once because it is extremely funny even if the situations are forced and the acting is over-the-top. Haley is awkward and delightfully clumsy, and Furness seems amused even when Furious by his antics. Walburns yelling is also very funny, but the scenery is really stolen by Arthur Treacher who's yes sir responses to everything he is asked to do reeks of contempt for his employers. Rosina Lawrence, one of the "Our Gang" school teachers, is the dizzy estranged wife of Monroe Owlsley, and Kathleen Lockhart is the storm trooper aunt. This film doesn't seem to be directed, more choreographed, and when you've got so much first going on, it's a miracle to watch a film where the actors aren't bumping into the furniture or each other. It's a delight, but there's still too much going on to really enjoy it in just one sitting.
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A delightful, screwball comedy.
mkilmer15 July 2006
My wife and I saw this movie for the first time last night, and it was a fun, funny, and wonderful movie. Now, for perspective, I'm writing this as a huge fan of silent slapstick and someone who has fun with the screwball comedies of the '30s.

Jack Haley plays Joe Jenkins, a barber who reads the Society magazines. He's cutting a man's hair when the man, reading the mag, comes across the picture of Patricia Robertson (Betty Furness) and cuts a line in the back of the man's head whilst in a swoon. Through a series of circumstances, he does meet her, while pretending to be someone else.

I'm not going to give away any more, because the madcap way in which things unfold is part of the movie's charm. You think, "What are the chances of THAT happening?" Well, the chances are nil – it's a movie! – but after some tension and uncertainty, everything works out.

I liked the performances Edward Brophy as Detective McNuttt and, especially, Arthur Treacher as the butler, Watkins. Furness if charming. Haley, "the Tin Man" from elsewhere, reminded me very much of Harry Langdon, though not quite as much the child.

If you get a chance to see this movie and like to carry a smile, see it for sure.
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8/10
Goofy comedy with great cast zips along
csteidler26 March 2013
Jack Haley is hilarious as Joe Jenkins, a barber hooked on gossip magazines.

Joe worships society darling Patricia Randolph (Betty Furness), though he has no hopes of ever meeting her….until he's asked to impersonate a wealthy customer and attend a business rendezvous—with Patricia's father. The comedy of mistaken identity that ensues is wild, witty and rather sweet.

The supporting cast is packed with wonderful character actors: Ray Walburn as the blustery father desperate to make a deal; Arthur Treacher as the haughty butler; Edward Brophy as police detective McNutt; Tom Dugan as a would-be tough guy out to defend family honor….Non-stop nuts.

Haley and Furness are equally delightful as the two leads. Furness is charming and lively, a good match for Haley's breathless antics; she comes the closest of anyone in the picture to playing a straight role. Haley is frantic yet earnest—and quite charming in his own way. The two share some cute scenes, especially a romantic moment in a dark attic.

This Hal Roach production displays plenty of characteristic Roach studio touches….like when Haley unfolds his handkerchief and daintily lays it out on a porch step to sit on, and then sits next to it instead of on it.

It's a very funny picture—fast paced and full of clever dialog. Great fun!
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A surprisingly funny movie with Jack Haley in top form.
Art-2217 August 1999
This has got to be one of my guilty pleasures, since I kept feeling the mistaken identity plot was silly and I generally dislike slapstick. But I saw the film twice and both times I found myself chuckling much more than I expected. Jack Haley does his klutsy shtick as a barber impersonating a millionaire to perfection. And with Betty Furness as his love interest, and more comedy by Edward Brophy, Tom Dugan and Raymond Walburn, it's a film most comedy lovers will enjoy.
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