Road Show (1941)

When he realizes his fiancee (Polly Ann Young) is a gold digger on their wedding day, a wealthy playboy (John Hubbard) feigns insanity and is committed to a mental asylum. But he escapes with an eccentric businessman (Adolphe Menjou) and they join a traveling carnival headed by a beautiful blonde (Carole Landis). Based on the novel by Eric Hatch and directed by Hal Roach (ONE MILLION B.C.). Pretty much a stinker! The film is aiming for screwball comedy but it's a strident affair with everyone running around braying at each other. Even taking into account that the film was made in 1941, the racial stereotyping is disturbing (one gag involving blacks and watermelon will have your jaw dropping). Everyone seems to be pushing too hard and it's exhausting. There are a couple of tuneful songs by Hoagy Carmichael but it's not a musical though turning it into a musical might have alleviated some of the harshness. The cast includes Patsy Kelly, Florence Bates (the film could have used more of her), Charles Butterworth and Willie Best.