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Bits of Lex presents Classic Movie Mondays.
Watch the 1930 pre-Code romantic comedy Loose Ankles starring Loretta Young and Douglas Fairbanks Jr., featuring a quirky family and a marriage inheritance twist.
Key Takeaways
- The inheritance condition forces Ann into a reluctant marriage, driving the film's central conflict.
- Family dynamics and greed create comedic and dramatic tension throughout the story.
- Ann's rebellious nature challenges societal expectations of women in the 1930s.
- The film blends romance, comedy, and musical elements characteristic of pre-Code Hollywood.
- Loose Ankles offers insight into early 20th-century attitudes toward marriage, wealth, and scandal.
Summary
- Loose Ankles is a 1930 pre-Code romantic comedy directed by Ted Wilde and produced by First National Pictures.
- The story centers on Ann Harper Berry, a headstrong heiress who must marry a suitable spouse to inherit her grandmother's fortune.
- Ann faces opposition from eccentric family members and a matriarch who controls the inheritance from beyond the grave.
- The will stipulates that Ann cannot receive her inheritance until she marries with the consent of her guardians, creating comedic tension.
- The film features notable performances by Loretta Young, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and Louise Fazenda.
- Ann plans to create a scandal to avoid an unwanted marriage, involving professional escorts and a newspaper advertisement.
- The movie highlights themes of family rivalry, societal expectations, and the constraints placed on women regarding marriage and wealth.
- The film includes musical and dance sequences, adding to its lively romantic comedy tone.
- The plot unfolds with humorous interactions among relatives gathering for the will reading and Ann's rebellious schemes.
- Loose Ankles is a classic example of early Hollywood pre-Code cinema with its playful treatment of romance and social norms.
Chapters
Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown
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[music] Welcome, movie lovers. Tonight's feature comes
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[music] from First National Pictures and director Ted Wilde. A pre-code romantic comedy with a headstrong heiress, an eccentric family, and a matriarch pulling the strings from
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beyond the grave. Starring Loretta Young,
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[music] Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and Louise Fazenda. But first, the mystery challenge.
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As Ann Harper
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[music] Berry, Loretta Young stands to inherit a fortune if she finds a suitable
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[music] spouse.
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But what unexpected twist could cause her to lose it all? Feeling lucky? Share your response
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[music] in the comments below.
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[music] [music] [music] [music] [music] I'm feeling that I'm reeling when they
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[music and singing] strike up a band.
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Each rhythm has me rhythm, and I'll
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[music and singing] say that it's grand. There's only one reason
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[music] my feet want to fly.
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[singing] I'm happy.
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I'm stepping.
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[music] I'm telling you why. When music's good and hot, I start to sway
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[music] a lot.
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And all because I've got loose ankles. No matter where I go, they never think I'm
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[music] slow.
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And so The foot is finished, madam. Thank you, Marcel. That looks wonderful. I could walk 2 miles for a cigarette now.
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The sheets are all sorted, Marcel. He makes walking back so easy. Don't forget to have the big suite at my place tomorrow, Marcel. I want a massage.
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Thank you, madam.
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[music] [music] [music] That's an awful cute number, Betty. What's the name of it?
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Oh, it's a little thing called Loose Ankles. I wonder if all the family's downstairs yet.
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Well, you know the old saying, where there's a will, there's a lot of relatives.
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Are there even those from Alaska here by now? Can you picture them all sitting down there with an ice cream cone in each hand?
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Say, let's go down and see how the clan is gathering. All right. Your name, please.
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Uh, a Mr. and Mrs. Berry from Walla Walla. The Berrys from Walla. Two Wallas?
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Walla Walla. The Berrys from Marblehead. The Marblehead Berrys. And Mrs. Berry from Logan. Oh, welcome in, dear.
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The Logan Berrys. Good evening. And the raspberry. How do you do? I am Major Rupert Harper.
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We are pleased to meet you. And this is my wife. Mrs. Berry? My sisters, Miss Sarah and Miss Catherine Harper.
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Girls, may I present Mr. Berry of Walla? Walla Walla? Yes, we've heard of you indirectly.
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It's too bad that we should meet on such a sad occasion. Oh, yes. But make yourselves at home. We will open poor dear Grandmother Berry's will in a few moments.
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Hasn't got the Berry nose. Your wife is young, isn't she?
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[music] Well, Anne. Why Aunt Sarah, what a beautiful gown.
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You look too cute for anything. Your sarcasm is entirely unnecessary. Oh, it wasn't sarcasm. I was only pretending on Betty's account.
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That's entirely unnecessary. What are you doing here? You're only a second cousin. You probably won't get anything.
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No, but I can hope and pray and maybe I might get an embroidered hot water bottle.
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What's
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[clears throat] going on in here? Am I missing something? Ah, the major announcing himself.
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I am about to commence reading your poor dear grandmother's will. Oh, why is everyone so eager about this will? We all have more money than we can possibly spend. Why don't you give grandmother's fortune to the other relatives?
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Everybody step into the library at once. I'll stand for no nonsense or delay. Girls.
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[clears throat] The same to you, major.
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[music] [music] Well, I think all the relatives are present. Ladies, the Berrys.
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[clears throat] So, these are the Berrys? You mean this is the Berrys? Gentlemen, be seated.
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Looks like a minstrel show. No. We will see what we will see. Now, we will see what we will get.
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It was just as I expected. The dear old lady remembered exactly what everybody wanted.
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I thought of that. In fact, she even left Betty $5,000. Well, that'll buy a roadster and a fur coat.
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Sarah, you get the villa at Newport. Catherine, the Lakewood place. I get the Southport stables and the wine cellar.
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Magnificent, eh? How could she give a wine cellar to a prohibitionist?
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Well, that'll give him a chance to raid his own place now.
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My dear niece, my very dear niece. You surely don't mean me. I most certainly do.
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To my beloved granddaughter Ann Harper Berry, I leave the Franklin Berry mansion in Westchester, my grandmother Flora's pearls, and securities to yield an annual income of $70,000.
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You mean you mean she left Ann the pearls? Mhm. Well, she has this house.
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She can't live in two houses. It wouldn't be decent. Besides, the pearls are too big for a young girl with all the strangling that's going on nowadays.
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Quiet, quiet. There is more. The properties and securities shall pass into her temporary possession the day following her marriage and become absolute on the death of her husband.
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Tell me, Major, does the will say the natural death of my husband? Um, yeah, it so it does. So it does.
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Yeah, I knew it. I'm even deprived of the satisfaction of a good honest murder.
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My dear niece, I don't want to hear another word. It is my duty to finish reading your poor dear grandmother's will.
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Well, go ahead, but I'm not interested. And wishing that my grandchild shall marry a man of the very finest type, I hereby appoint her uncle, Major Rupert Harper, and her aunts, Sarah and Katherine Harper, as guardians to pass
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judgment on the man of her choice. Oh, a jury, just like a beauty show or a baby contest.
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Ann, without their two-thirds consent, she cannot marry at all under the terms of the will.
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Well, that's lovely because the one thing in the world I don't want to do is get married.
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Moreover, none of the other beneficiaries of this will shall receive any part of the inheritance until the marriage of my granddaughter, Ann Harper Berry, is consummated.
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[snorts] Furthermore, the heirs shall enjoy these bequests only so long as no scandal concerning any member of the family shall appear in any newspaper.
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Scandal? Newspaper? In such an event, the entire estate shall pass to the possession of the Riverside Cat and Dog Hospital.
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I think that's very personal. My dear aunt and uncle, you all have more money than you can possibly spend.
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And in order to gain even more, you would force me into an unwilling marriage. Well, you won't because I'm going to give this family a scandal that will make the cats and dogs independent for the rest of their lives.
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Well, I'll be dead. It's your fault. You caused the whole problem. How do you get into the newspapers? I don't. I've been lucky.
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Yes, I know that. But I mean, how do you suppose I might get in them?
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First, get yourself a man. Then, a reporter? And leave the rest to the typesetter.
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Well, where am I going to get the man? Easy. There are lots of professional escorts.
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If you'll help me get in a scandal, I'll see that you get your fur coat and roadster anyway.
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That's a bargain. Shake. Okay. Well, I'm homeward bound. Say, what's your plan? New York World, advertising department, please.
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Yes, classified. Hello, I want to put an ad in your paper for tomorrow morning.
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Yes. Uh, wanted, one young man, must be young and good-looking, and uh unscrupulous. No, no unscrupulous.
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Yes. Um, expense no object. Sailor, beware. Sailor, take care. Danger is near thee. Beware.
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Beware. Beware. Will you shut up? You make so much noise I'm liable to cut my throat.
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If you do, can I have the razor? As a singer, you're a tremendous dancer.
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Don't even mention dancing. When you come home from a tough day at the office and struggle into one of those monkey suits and some kittenish old dame around on a dance floor.
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Andy, we picked out the worst sideline in the world, didn't we? You sure did. This being a professional escort has got me down.
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Same here. I thought we're better off than Gil. He isn't even a good professional escort.
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What a world. Now, there's Gil, a fine, intelligent, hard-working kid. And he can't even get a job.
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You know, the kid's desperate. He'd do most anything, but he just hasn't the heart to get into this racket.
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Fellas, I heard what you sai
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Who's dead? You are, from the neck up. Funny. My, aren't you the early bird this morning?
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Yes, [music] I'm expecting a worm. A what, miss? A man, Agnes. Just a man.
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A man. Yes, they're all worms, miss. Good gracious. You must have a secret sorrow to speak that way of men.
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Well, it's not exactly a secret sorrow, miss. I tell everybody about it. Mhm. You don't mean to say that you've been in a compromising position.
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Well, the position wasn't so bad. But the circumstances would again me. What if she's old and awfully homely?
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Forget [music] her face. Concentrate on her bank account. I'd only do this for you and Terry, Andy.
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[music] Good morning. Are you Mr. Worm? I beg your pardon? Are you a man?
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I I think so. I came in answer to this ad. Oh, you want to see Miss Ann. Come right in sir.
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[music] [music] You came in answer to the advertisement? Yes. You uh have you any references?
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I mean uh are you sure you are as unscrupulous as you say you are?
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Well, I haven't said anything yet. But I'm sure I am. You uh You don't mind being compromised?
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Oh, no. No. Have you been compromised before? Of course. Well, now, what type of compromising do you specialize in?
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Plain or fancy? Both. Which do you prefer? Well, the sort that would get into the newspapers, so they could have headlines like this.
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A man of mystery compromises debutante. You mean to be caught in a in a an affectionate embrace?
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Exactly. We haven't much time, you know, so we better get right down to business.
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You mean to start now? Right now. [music] How's this? So far, so good. What do I do next?
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Why, I suppose you really ought to kiss me. [music] Will you [music] pardon me for a moment, please?
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Of course. You'll never get into the newspapers that way. You've got to take his clothes off.
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What? His his off. Oh, Agnes. Uh do you mean Do you mean all of them?
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Well, as many as you can, miss. Well, uh uh this is a new experience for me, but I'll try.
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I I'm afraid I'll have to be leaving. Oh, but you can't leave. I You see, I have an appointment with my tailor.
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You see, my coat's torn. That's perfect. What are you going to do? I'm going to have your coat fixed.
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Agnes, look your tie. There's marmalade all over it. But I never eat marmalade. it's orange jam. Nevertheless, we'll fix that too.
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Agnes, sew this coat and have the marmalade taken off that tie. Listen. Put these clothes in the closet and lock it up and throw the key out of the window.
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Uh what do I do next? Take off those pants. Oh, I couldn't. Throw yourself in his arms, hang on tight, and leave the rest to me.
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All right. Well, what do I do now? Kiss me again. I uh something awful has happened.
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My suspenders broke. My. That is too bad. There's It's of the buttons. Oh, Agnes, don't.
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Something else has happened. W- What else could happen? Let me help you. Oh, no. No.
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It'll be all right, sir. Stop it. Stop it, I tell you. Stop it. But for the love of suffering, let's turn on the house.
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You You mustn't mind Agnes. She's only trying to help you. B- b- b- But I'll catch my death of cold.
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Yes. Here, put this on. It may help. Agnes, what did you do with them?
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When I get through with those pants, the vest will never know them. Oh, Agnes, come here.
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I think you better stay here. I don't think you'll be needing me, miss, from now on.
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D- Do you Do you still feel cold? I don't know. I I feel hot and cold all over at the same time.
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I don't know what's the matter with me. Well, we have no time to lose.
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So, we better get back to our compromising position. I'd rather not. Oh, but the reporters will be here any minute.
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Reporters? What for? Why, to write up the scandal and to take our pictures. Pictures like this?
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Certainly. I better go. Oh, but why? I'm sorry. I have a confession to make.
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I'm not a real professional compromiser. You're not? No. I'm just a fake, a phony, and a failure.
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No Anna. I don't know what it's all about. I came here under a false impression.
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But now that I've seen you, I wish it could be all undone. You mean you wish you'd never come here?
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Is that it? No. The moment I saw you, a strange feeling came over me.
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And I felt that way, too. I felt like I'd known you forever. I felt that way, too.
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Oh, I knew this was all wrong. [music] This mad, silly idea of mine would come to no good.
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Can you ever forgive me? I could just go on forgiving you forever and ever and ever.
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Hooray! I think the reporters are here, Miss Ann. What do we do? Agnes, you you it's golden tie, quick.
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But you told me to throw the key out of the window. Did you? But you told me to.
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Well, well, find the key, quick. I I think you better hide someplace. But where's my necktie?
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mind your necktie. Oh, it's only you. Yeah, I'm just the forerunner. The Asmus is an uncle Snorer right behind me.
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Oh, my dear second aunties, you're just in time. Uh please leave Betty and I alone for a moment. We have something we must straighten out.
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Oh, no, you don't. You're not going to drag me into your illicit adventures. Illicit adventures?
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Ah, the bugle call. What's this I heard? Who is having illicit adventures? Ann has Oh, dear no, sir.
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Silence, Catherine. I'll handle this. Sarah, explain what's going on here. I don't know, but I'm going to find out.
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And I'm going to start by searching the house. No, no, please. Why not? Well Oh, Betty, tell me the truth.
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Well, well, Ann promised me a fur coat and a roadster if I promised not to tell that she that she Oh, oh, I won't tell.
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Betty, I'll give you a fur coat, a roadster, and a police dog if you will tell.
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And you can have the best horse in my stable. And I'll give you a patent wristwatch and a pair of step-ins.
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A fur coat and a roadster and a dog, a horse, a wristwatch and a pair of step-ins? Oh, how can I resist all this?
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I will tell. Listen. There's been a man in this house all night. Oh. Oh.
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Oh. Oh. You purple woman, you you lavender woman. You you all the colors of the rainbow.
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Yes, you you you rainbow. Young woman, get away from there. Open this door. Open this door.
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Open it. Come on, help me, girls. Open this door. The door is open. Open the door. Now, open the door.
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I'LL HELP. OH, IT'S LOU. OH. OH. OH. WHO ARE YOU, SIR? What are you doing going on Nothing. I I It's none of your business.
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What? Don't tell me you're waiting for a street car. It is my business, sir.
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You viper. You scoundrel. You flirt. He's not. He's not at all. Yeah. Silence. You have no right to speak. You have betrayed us all, but there is a way out. The breath of scandal shall not contaminate us because of your misdeeds.
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You shall make atonement and rescue our good names at the same time. Well, what do you mean?
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You must marry this fellow. No. No. OH. HE JUMPED IN THE GREENHOUSE. Heaven help my petunias.
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Gee, I never made a man do that. I found out you're a couple of fine fools.
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Huh. You spent it at the fortune teller's. You know who this Berry woman is you steered Gallup against?
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Tell us, cutie. I figured she was probably some half-witted old hag. But she's young, good-looking, and just inherited a couple of million and the famous Flora Berry pearls.
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Sounds like a bedtime story. Well, it's no bedtime story to me. And I've got a scheme. If it works, look out.
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I decided to take a long shot at the Flora Berry pearls. The aunt's name's the same as mine, Harper. I'd ought to crash the gates for me.
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You're not going to pull any rough stuff. If I have to, yes. I'm sick of living in a dump like this and grabbing my meals from a lot of cow-faced women.
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Hey, what do you got against cows? A bull. Hooray, for once he got the right answer.
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Say, those pearls are going to look terrible on you. You know, Andy, I've got a hunch Gil made good. Still looks good to me.
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Say, what's the matter? You look sick. You've been hiding in doorways and dodging policeman all day.
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You'd be sick, too. Let's get him a doctor. Let's get him a drink. Where's my coat?
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I lost it. Suffering cats, where my ticket for the circuit cafe was in it.
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Oh, give me that. This is pre-war stuff. It's so old, it's rotten. Thanks, Andy.
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I'm all right. Really, I am. Sure, you look it. Well, come on. What was the game?
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Maybe it was a game. And I just didn't know how to play it. But the dame, what was she like?
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Lynn said she was a pip. She's wonderful. Listen, kid. Tell me all about it. What happened?
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Well, we talked, and we seemed to understand each other. She's wonderful. Yeah, I got that before. Go on.
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Well, then I can't remember very clearly, but a lot of terrible people came in.
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[music] And they said that I compromised her. Put the ad in the paper. Didn't you want to be compromised?
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Yes. Yes, I guess she did at first. Then something happened. She fell for you, isn't that it?
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Well, Sure, it's a cinch. And then what? Then an awful old man came in and called me terrible names.
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And he said What? He said I have to marry her. And what did you say?
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I I jumped out the window. Brenda, darling, can't you do anything about it? I'm afraid not. I don't even know who he is or where to find him.
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His pockets are empty except for this ticket to some place called the Circus Cafe.
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Mhm. Grand opening of the Circus Cafe. Wild, wicked, and woopish. Beautiful girls in daring costumes.
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I wonder where I could find him. Let's go to the Circus Cafe. We might find him there.
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That's an idea. A great one. It's a wonderful idea. But it's no good. Ladies without escorts not admitted.
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I wonder who we could get to take us. A Mr. Harper who claims to be a relative.
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Ah, this might be the answer to a maiden's prayer. [music] Pardon me. Are you the young lady who advertised in the paper?
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Well, here I am. Notice young attractive, and unscrupulous. Just what the doctor ordered. Are you really a relative?
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No, but it served to get me in. What can I do for two such charming ladies?
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Well, as long as you insist upon being employed, your first duty is to take us to the grand opening of the Circus Cafe.
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Agnes, our wraps. I'm glad this household is peaceful and quiet again. Ann must have come to her senses at last.
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I'm quite sure she has. Don't worry. By morning, she'll come around to our way of thinking as usual.
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Police headquarters. Inspector Blake, please. Will you be late, miss? You said it. We're going to the opening of the Circus Cafe, and we're going to be wild, wicked, and whoopee.
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And how! [laughter] This is Major Harper speaking. Are your men all set to raid this Circus Cafe?
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Mhm. Yeah. Yeah, 10:00 will be all right. I'll be over immediately. Splendid, Rupert. And if you don't mind my saying it, I hope you arrest everyone in the place.
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People that go to a place like that deserve to be arrested. You're right. Good night.
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Good night. Have you your handkerchief? He has. Agnes, is Miss Ann in her room?
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No, miss. She went out. With Betty? Yes, miss. And a handsome Jackie. Did she say where she was going?
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Yes, miss. She went to a cafe uh The Circus Cafe, miss. To have a wild and whoopish time.
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Oh. That's the place the major is going to raid. Just another one of her plans to to break the will. But we'll spoil it in spite of everything.
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Agnes, I'll have some coats immediately. Mine on. Oh. We've got to find this place. Do you just go as we can?
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A place of ill repute. Anybody would know where it was. Oh, one of my attacks is coming on, dear.
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Ladies and gentlemen, permit me to introduce the grandest spectacle and parade. [music] [music] Everybody look this way. It's parade circus day. The clowns are on parade.
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[music] Here's a show that cannot flop. Buy your peanuts, magic popcorn. Drink up your red [music] lemonade.
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Let's start whooping it up. WHOOPING IT UP. [music] HERE'S YOUR TICKET, YOUNG. YOU GO AHEAD IN AND wait for us.
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Well, I don't want to go in without you fellows. We'll be along in a minute. We've some official business to attend to.
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Go ahead. All right. Follow the clowns, folks. [music] Let's all [singing] whoop it up. Whoop it up.
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[music] Let's all whoop it up. Whoop it up. [music] Let's all whoop it up.
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Whoop it up. Whoop it [music] up. Whoop it Whoop it up. WHOOP IT [music] [music] FIRST WE HAVE THE ACROBATS IN death-defying acts.
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If they fall down and go boom, they only fall down once. Here we have the ballet dancers dancing on their toes. If they lose their skirts, then it will be the show of [music] shows. Tigers, lions, leopards from the farthest distance
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seen. Over there you'll see a monkey looking for some fleas. [music] Bareback riders, trapeze artists, you don't know the half. Here's some happy mariachis who will make you laugh.
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[music] [singing] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] Kindly, who's the owner of this place?
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Why, Mr. Morgan. That's the fellow. He invited us here as his special guest. Wait just a minute.
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I'm going to let you boys in on something. I'm Mr. Morgan. Our mistake. Must have been another place.
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Yes, and another night. [music] [music] Sorry, but ladies without an escort are not admitted.
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I'm with her. I'm sorry. You don't look sorry to me. [music] [music] Gracious, but will we do for escorts?
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Catherine, we must get in. Did I hear you ladies say you must get in? Well, that makes it mutual. Let me examine your tickets, please.
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Just as I thought. But, what did you say this lady's name was? This is my sister, Miss Catherine Harper.
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Miss Catherine Harper, meet Mr. Terry Todd. Mr. Todd, Miss Catherine Harper. And what did you say your sister's name was?
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Her Christian name is Sarah. Miss Sarah Harper, Mr. Annie Martin. Mr. Annie Martin, Miss Sarah Harper.
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How do you do? Miss Sarah Harper, meet Mr. Terry Todd. Mr. Terry Todd, Sarah Harper. And uh Miss Catherine Harper, meet Mr. Annie Martin. Mr. Annie Martin, Miss Sarah Harper.
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How do you do? Miss Catherine Harper, meet Miss Sarah Harper. Mr. Todd, my name's Martin.
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Well, let's go make whoopee. [music] Good evening, Mr. Morgan. Our tickets. Hello, Mom. [music] [music] All right, girls. Park the bodies.
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Pardon me? Sit down. We don't wish to sit down. We're looking for someone. Why look any further? Here we are.
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We're looking for our niece. Well, all the nieces dance right by here. Uh Squatty who?
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Squatty what? Boo, us in French. Have a cigarette? Don't start that, young man. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. What will you have?
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What have you got? We have some grape punch. Punch? Grape. That's four punches, and make each punch a knockout.
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[music] Come on, Romeo. Let's dance, huh? [music] Would you care to dance, Anne? No, thank you. I'd rather watch.
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Pardon? [music] Pretty warm. We might as well cool off. [music] [music] [applause] [music] This is delicious.
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Tastes like sawdust, Frank. [music] What a tickle it teeth. Didn't realize I was so awfully thirsty.
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[music] This yours? [music] I I I thought it was mine. [music] Hello big boy, what are you doing here all alone? Come on, let's dance.
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I I'd rather not. Well, you're going to dance whether you want to or not.
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[music] You know, for a moment I thought that star was moving. Yours is the one with the girlish laughter.
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Katherine, you're getting silly. But maybe it was my astigmatism. [music] Well, there's Gil. I'll tell him where we are. Oh, Gil.
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[applause] You here? Gee, I didn't know you were married. What are you doing here?
Speaker A
Why, hello Gil. Say, if you want us, we're sitting right over there. Oh, but don't I get an introduction?
Speaker A
This is the Miss Berry I was telling you about. Came the dawn? Well, pardon my hasty exit to see you all of a sudden.
Speaker A
What are you doing here? Why, I I came to look for someone I couldn't forget.
Speaker A
What are you doing here? I came to forget someone I never thought I'd see again.
Speaker A
[laughter] Tell me, why did you run away? I was afraid your uncle would make you marry me.
Speaker A
Oh. Would that be so terrible? Not as so far as I was concerned. What are you thinking about?
Speaker A
Isn't the music lovely? Would you like to dance? No, I'd rather sit. Oh, pardon that knocking.
Speaker A
Well, if it isn't Lindbergh. The last time I saw you, you were flying out of a window. Have you still got your pants on backwards? Betty, uh I want you to meet Mr.
Speaker A
Gil Hayden. I don't need an introduction to that guy. Oh, you've met him before?
Speaker A
[laughter] Oh, look what's here. I don't like this hat. That's who I am. Oh, pardon you.
Speaker A
Don't get that hurried. But so I So, where was I going to Give me one of those.
Speaker A
One for you and and one for Wait a minute. What what's in this drink anyway?
Speaker A
Why, it's Full of prune-a. Do they make it out of prune- SURE. PRUNE-A. THANK YOU, [laughter] CATHERINE. ARE YOU SICK? Sick full of prune-a, YOU ARE.
Speaker A
[laughter] SAY, SAY, BUT YOU'RE A GREAT KID. I am very your partner. You seem to be getting very familiar. Do I give you orders to address me as kid?
Speaker A
Answer is no. If you must address me, call me Mish KID IN THE [laughter] [laughter] KITTY SPANK.
Speaker A
UH, YOU WOULDN'T BE MEAN TO LITTLE TERRY, would you? Terry, this hurts me more than it hurts you.
Speaker A
Oh, don't take it to heart, Kitty. You're too young to drink. I suppose you're a little boy staggering around.
Speaker A
THOSE ALL LITTLE BOYS be staggering around. Would that be nice? Would that parents home and If you don't prune juice to drink, would that be nice?
Speaker A
Those parents General Motors IS DOING TODAY. [laughter] THOSE PARENTS GOT nothing to drink. All the all the parents. No prune juice. Poor parents. Aw.
Speaker A
Take this little prune juice. There it is, right there. Take this boy prune Where is it?
Speaker A
Where is it? Now, where is it? Where is it? Oh shoot. That's some salad.
Speaker A
There, I've got him by the tie. I'll sneak up on him. Eat. HEY Y'ALL.
Speaker A
I'VE GOT HIM BY THE FEET. GOT HIM. [crying] GOT HIM. HASN'T HAD A CHANCE TO worry yet.
Speaker A
WHAT'S THE REASON WHY? [laughter] I DIDN'T HURT THE LITTLE PUGGER BITES. Kids are cruel.
Speaker A
That. Fine. God damn it, I think What happened? It's back again. Oh, I'm sorry about that.
Speaker A
Oh, oh. Sarah. Sarah. [music] Oh, there it is. SARAH. HE JUST SWALLOWED IT. NOT WHOLE.
Speaker A
ARE YOU ALL RIGHT? [music] I'm going to have to GET A PARAMEDIC. [laughter] THAT'S THE LOOSE DAISY.
Speaker A
[laughter] ARE WE having fun? WHY SHOULD WE WORRY? WHY SHOULD YOU WORRY? I YOU SHOULD WORRY.
Speaker A
OH, now Sally, don't feel that way. I know you think that I am one of those Broadway flapper flies, flapper flies.
Speaker A
One of these things, don't you? Ah, you're just a little girl that men forget.
Speaker A
Yes. I guess you do think that all we use is rouge and smoke cigarettes, don't you?
Speaker A
Nah, nah, you girls aren't nearly as bad as you look. You couldn't be. [laughter] I guess I laughed at the wrong time.
Speaker A
[laughter] SHE'S MY PAL. SHE'S MY PAL. And we're two pals. Both of us twins.
Speaker A
We play together and we we work together and we sing together. Always. She can sing.
Speaker A
Sometimes she sings off key, but she can sing. Loud, too. Bless her. Bless her.
Speaker A
Bless her heart. She's a pet. Who will protect us? For God we faithful. All those people in our house love us.
Speaker A
Our sweet reputation. Help us to maintain the most beautiful in the future. When our home belongs, we must stand.
Speaker A
Like a bar and nice must stand. Try to win our hearts with God and We will gladly walk with Christ to keep the beautiful in our home.
Speaker A
Come on, we will protect nice girls like us. Bravo. What are you crying for, my good man?
Speaker A
Excuse me, lady. But I had a mother myself once. You you you never would think it to look at her, would you?
Speaker A
[crying] Even prudent get married. What do you think the prudent might look like? Wrinkled.
Speaker A
[music] You know, everything is just serene and heavenly. Tonight's been just like a dream.
Speaker A
You wanted a chaperone, why didn't you advertise for one? Huh, you couldn't even make good at that.
Speaker A
Are you going through with this scandal proposition you made to me or not? No, I've changed my mind.
Speaker A
Happily. Yes. What are you butting into this thing for? That's just what I was going you.
Speaker A
I'd tell you darn quick but weren't for these Ladies and gentlemen, permit me to introduce Rita and Ruben, world-famous Adagio dancers, in the dance of the leopard and the trainer. Bigger, better, greater than ever.
Speaker A
[music] [music] [music] You know all you dancers out there. [laughter] [music] Hey boy, ain't no letting it get AWAY FROM ME.
Speaker A
HEY ANDY, I WANT TO DO A DANCE like that out there. You don't want to dance now.
Speaker A
I want to DO IT NOW. YES, SARAH WANTS TO PLAY. NOT NOW, after a while.
Speaker A
Andy, all my life I wanted to be a dancer. I could do the butterfly.
Speaker A
Somebody will be picking you up in the neck. You don't want to do that.
Speaker A
I heard that. Oh, I'm going TO GET YOU. I'M GOING TO GET YOU. ANSWER ME, you little brat.
Speaker A
Come on, you get up there. No, well, not not now. After a while. I mean, they they don't like you to do that in here.
Speaker A
to get you. Well, after a while. Well, I'm sorry, but if you land on me, there'll be nothing left of you.
Speaker A
up there now, Jack. WHAT IS YOUR MOTHER GOING TO SAY about this? Have a heart.
Speaker A
[music] [screaming] [music] Wait a What's all the commotion down there? Just a couple of thugs trying to put on a wrestling match.
Speaker A
Oh, so that's the kind of a place this is. You never can tell. Says you.
Speaker A
Says that. [laughter] [screaming] [cheering] WHAT'S THE IDEA? I'LL CARRY YOU. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS. WHY, it's people like you that give this place a bad reputation. I won't STAND FOR IT.
Speaker A
YOU MAY STAY WHENEVER YOU'RE READY. I'LL WAIT FOR YOU OUTSIDE. WELL, there's the scandal you're looking for.
Speaker A
Just look pretty and maybe some copper will pick you up. No, no, please. We're not going to have any scandals, are we, Gilmore?
Speaker A
No, we're not. Let's find a way out of here. Follow me. I'm going home.
Speaker A
If we don't, we'll all go to jail. The dump is raided. Save me. Save me.
Speaker A
No, wait. Don't get excited. Do something. Don't lose your head. I've got an idea.
Speaker A
What? Take this. Come here. Wait a minute. Now, come here. Take this off. Do something.
Speaker A
What is it? What is it? Now, take off that hat. Well, it hurts. You're going to do something.
Speaker A
That's not going to bother you. Now, just hold perfectly still. Please, officer. It'll be all right.
Speaker A
I'll get you out of here now. Just hold. Fix her up. I guess we're all right now.
Speaker A
Certainly was a smart idea, wasn't it? You said it. How did anybody find this out?
Speaker A
How I ever got here in my sober senses is more than I know. In your what?
Speaker A
All I know is I want to go home and get away from those policemen. Those bold, bad, vicious, awful policemen.
Speaker A
Wait a minute. No chance here. There's a cop down below. I'll take care of the cop. You get the girls away.
Speaker A
Why? Where were you, Gill? Oh, he ran away like a dirty dog. What? I don't believe it.
Speaker A
So, this is no time to argue. Let's beat it. Oh, well, this is what I call There goes Lent with Gill's girl.
Speaker A
I seem to detect a faint odor of banana oil. That Palooka's trying to beat Gill's time.
Speaker A
Me thinks there is dirty work at the crossroads. Let's go. If Gill loved you, he wouldn't have run away.
Speaker A
I tell you he'll never come back. What about that proposition of ours? I'll send you a check in the morning.
Speaker A
You better make up your mind before I go. I've made up my mind. You know, somehow I have an idea that he will come back.
Speaker A
Now, that's what I call a darn good idea. What do you two gentlemen want?
Speaker A
We'd like to see Miss Berry. It's very important. I'll tell her you're here. Follow me.
Speaker A
This will be a good trick if we do it. We've got to do it.
Speaker A
Oh, good evening, gentlemen. Good evening. Where is Miss Berry? She's in there. Alone? Oh, no. She's with a dark, handsome gentleman who's trying to talk her in or out of something.
Speaker A
She means Lentern. We've got to stop him from going any further. Would you mind telling me what business this is of yours?
Speaker A
Now, listen, lady. We know this dark, handsome gentleman and he's a bad boy. And we don't mean perhaps.
Speaker A
Hello, Chizzler. Listen, Miss Berry. You're about to do something. I don't know what, but whatever it is, don't do it.
Speaker A
Who are these men? I never saw them before in my life. Now, who do you expect to believe that?
Speaker A
Won't you please tell me what this is all about? I imagine it's a clumsy attempt at blackmail.
Speaker A
Blackmail you? And we've been lending him money to get his laundry out of hock.
Speaker A
These men are a couple of escaped lunatics or something. I'll give you the real lowdown. This drugstore cowboy is trying to steal you away from a kid who really loves you.
Speaker A
But we're not going to let him get away with it. Not if I have to Say, honey, what are they trying to do to you?
Speaker A
Nothing, kid. Just saving her a lot of grief and heartbreak. What do these fellows want here?
Speaker A
Oh, I don't know. It doesn't matter anyway. Nothing matters as long as you're here. You didn't run away, did you?
Speaker A
No. I just battled a cop so you could get away. I came here as fast as I could.
Speaker A
What's going on? Nothing much now, but we hope wedding bells later on. Ridiculous. Ridiculous.
Speaker A
Yes, ridiculous, but deliciously true. Well, I can't believe it. You mean to say you love this this Certainly I love him.
Speaker A
Oh. If you ask me I'll ask no one. I don't know who you gentlemen are and I don't care, but I want you to know that without my consent and that of my two sisters, she cannot marry anyone.
Speaker A
But sir, you wanted me to marry her this morning. Why have you changed your mind?
Speaker A
She can marry no one unless my sisters and I approve of them, and I do not approve of you.
Speaker A
Married? Marriage? What is all this about? Sally. Kitty. Listen, old bean, do you know these two flappers?
Speaker A
These ladies, sir, are my sisters. Your sisters? Yes, sir. Well, that's just dandy. Terry, find him a cushion to land on.
Speaker A
Well, let's go, girls. Now then, you two ladies have a niece, haven't you? Yes.
Speaker A
Thank you. And your niece is going to marry my boyfriend, isn't she? Yes. Thank you.
Speaker A
And you two haven't the least objection in the world, have you? No. Thank you.
Speaker A
Well then, now that's all settled. The two orphans say yes. What? I don't understand. Sarah Catherine, what's come over you?
Speaker A
You don't have to understand. That's one of the advantages of being dumb. And now we seem to be intruding upon the happy couple. So, let's choose our partners for the grand march to be led by that queen of bathing beauties, Miss
Speaker A
Oil City. And now, followed by the happiness girls. What a disgrace. Come on, girls.
Speaker A
And there are two seals. I I won't be called a trained seal. Throw him a fish.
Speaker A
Well, that looks like a rodeo. Congratulations, you two darlings. Thanks, Betty. Can I drive you two cupid's home?
Speaker A
If you promise to keep both hands on the wheel. Well, goodbye kids and bless you and all that other junk.
Speaker A
[music] [music] [music]
Topics:Loose Ankles1930 moviepre-Code Hollywoodromantic comedyLoretta YoungDouglas Fairbanks Jr.classic filminheritance plotfamily dramamusical comedy
