For Reel

Director: Gordon Douglas

The third entry in the Gildersleeve series has the misleading title of Gildersleeve on Broadway, which would make one expect that Throckmorton’s latest mishaps land him a role in a major play. While uprooting the character does seem like a well-reasoned ploy to bring new interest into the series, the New York setting is largely a wasted opportunity–Gildersleeve interacts with high society urbane folk, but much of the material simply takes place in a hotel. This time, Billie Burke lends some enjoyable comedic support as a society dame who instantly develops an infatuation with Gildersleeve, and Hobart Cavanaugh is her eccentric brother with a William Tell infatuation. Much of the humor of the picture involves bystanders mistaking a homosexual relationship between Throckmorton and Summerville’s druggist, Mr. Peavey (an expanded role for the enjoyably deadpan Richard LeGrand). There are some enjoyable reaction shots, particularly from a window washer played by Leonid Kinskey. If one thinks the homophobic humor is dated, just take a look at the first act in which Throckmorton goes to the drug store in search of sedatives to knock out his love-struck niece! Despite the impressive cast additions and a few enjoyable gags (there’s a nice bit of physical comedy with a drunk who walks along a window ledge), this is largely a dull, forgettable installment in the series.