Million Dollar Legs

Watch Million Dollar Legs

"It's Insane -- It's Joyous"
  • Passed
  • 1932
  • 1 hr 4 min
  • 6.8  (1,431)

Million Dollar Legs is a 1932 comedy film that takes a satirical look at the world of sports and politics. The movie starts with the small, impoverished country of Klopstokia, which desperately needs to pay off its debt to the United States. In order to do so, they decide to send their best athlete, Migg Tweeny, to the Olympics in Los Angeles, hoping that he will win the gold medal and receive a million dollar prize.

The film stars Jack Oakie as Migg Tweeny, a bumbling but determined young man who excels at any sport he tries. W.C. Fields plays the role of the president of Klopstokia, who is more interested in drinking, womanizing and playing billiards than in governing his country. Andy Clyde is the coach of the Klopstokian team, who tries to train Migg Tweeny for the Olympics despite his lack of experience.

The plot of the film is centered on the political and financial interests that surround sport and the Olympics. In Los Angeles, Migg Tweeny becomes the object of admiration for the American public, who see him as a symbol of innocence and purity. He is surrounded by a group of Klopstokian diplomats, including the Ambassador (Lynne Overman) and his daughter, Angela (Susan Fleming), who try to exploit his popularity to their country's financial advantage.

The film also explores the role of women in sports and politics. Angela, who is portrayed as a beautiful and independent woman, becomes Migg's love interest and supports his efforts to win the gold medal. She is also involved in a subplot that deals with the corruption of sports officials, who try to fix the competition in favor of their country.

The humor of the film is based on slapstick comedy, witty one-liners and exaggerated characterizations. Jack Oakie delivers a hilarious performance as the naive and clumsy Migg Tweeny, who unintentionally becomes a millionaire and is endlessly pursued by fans, reporters and businessmen. W.C. Fields is equally funny as the drunken and irresponsible president of Klopstokia, whose antics range from insulting his advisors to humiliating himself in front of American politicians. The supporting cast, which includes Ben Turpin, Hugh Herbert and George Barbier, also contributes to the film's comic tone.

Despite being a comedy, Million Dollar Legs also addresses serious issues such as nationalism, imperialism and economic inequality. The film portrays the Olympics as a battleground for political supremacy and economic exploitation, where countries are willing to do anything to win medals and gain prestige. It also criticizes the role of money in sports, showing how athletes are treated as commodities to be traded and exploited by capitalists.

Overall, Million Dollar Legs is a classic comedy that combines satire, slapstick and social commentary. It is a reflection of the cultural and political context of the 1930s, when the world was facing economic crisis, fascism and war. The film showcases the talent of its cast and the skill of its director, Edward F. Cline, who was known for his fast-paced and visually inventive films. It is a must-see for anyone who enjoys classic comedies and historical satire.

Million Dollar Legs
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Description
  • Release Date
    1932
  • MPAA Rating
    Passed
  • Runtime
    1 hr 4 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.8  (1,431)