Off the horses.

Duration: 2 reels

Year Published: 1937

Creator: Educational Films Corp. of America

Format: 16mm

Sound: sound

Description: This is a summary of the 1937 comedy short "Off the Horses," a Bert Lahr picture. Businessman Brewster is on the verge of losing his company and facing jail unless he can raise $15,000 by 6 p.m., so rather than fight it he plans to skip town by ship instead. His earnest employee Chester Twister, who was expecting a promotion, learns the firm is closing and impulsively proposes they team up and bet on the horses using a system from someone called "Mendel the Marvel," pooling Brewster's last $1,000 with the $200 Chester had set aside to buy his wife a fur coat. At the track, the pair's early picks lose, but Chester keeps getting unsolicited tips from strangers, including a track tout trying to con him and a random child who passes along a horse's name. Through a mix of luck and confusion over similar-sounding horse names, Chester's bets keep paying off big, even though he garbles instructions and nearly loses track of the money along the way. Meanwhile, his wife Kitty, who disapproves of gambling, is at the track with friends and unknowingly crosses paths with Chester, leading to some frantic dodging and mistaken identity as he tries to keep her from discovering what he's actually doing. By the end, the chaotic day of wagering turns into a windfall large enough to save Brewster's business, and the film closes on a lighthearted note with Chester vindicated as a hero, his wife satisfied, and the two men now full "partners." The comedy relies heavily on farcical dialogue, mixed-up horse names, and slapstick reactions to the ups and downs of race results.

Transcription

[music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] >> Well, Shelly, I did it again. Five more winners yesterday. That makes me $60,433 to the good. I'm only kidding, honey. You know, I can't possibly raise that $15,000 before 6:00. And I'm not going to jail. >> I hate to see you lose your business, Brewster. >> Oh, it can't be helped. Well, thanks for trying, Howard. >> Well, you're sailing at 5:30. >> Oh, yes. Sail at 5:30 or jail AT 6:00. >> [laughter] >> WELL. >> WELL, I SEE YOU HAVE AT LEAST ONE conscientious man here. >> Oh, yes. That's just a twist. They all work like him. Look at him. Strictly business. Poor fellow. And I told him I was going to promote him. Well, goodbye, Howard. >> Goodbye, Brewster. Good luck. >> Thanks. Oh, Chester, come into my office. >> Yes, sir. Yes, sir. >> Oh, oh, Chester, here comes that promotion. >> Good luck, Chester. >> Thanks, fellows. Thanks. Thanks. >> Yes, Mr. Brewster? >> Oh, yes, Chester. I have something to say to you. >> I know, I know. Mr. Brewster, I'll be a credit to this company. I'll set an example. You can pipe me out and say >> You're fired. >> I don't blame you. What? >> Chester, I just like to tell you about the Brewster company closes its doors today. >> Gee, I'm sorry, Mr. Brewster. And I planned on this promotion so much. Couldn't we carry on some way? >> Uh I don't know why not. I have to raise $15,000 by 6:00 or go to jail. >> Jail? >> Yes, but I'm not going. I managed to scrape together $1,000, so I'm sailing at 5:30. >> Gee, there must be some way out. Mr. Brewster, we've been saved by Mendel the Marvel. >> Mendel the Marvel? >> Yes, he has five and six winners a day. >> Five and six winners a day? You must have won a lot of money. >> Well, uh I'm not a money better. I'm more of a mental better. But, Mr. Brewster, it can't fail. Let's go down to the track and we'll be partners. >> All right. How much will you put up? >> Well, I I've got $200, but that's for my wife's new fur coat. >> Ah, but we're partners. >> All right. 50-50. Your thousand, my 200. Partners. >> Yes, Mrs. Twister. I'll call you. >> Chester? >> Yes? >> Chester, your wife. >> I'll wait for you in my car. >> Okay, partner. Partner? >> Hello, darling. >> Did you get your promotion? Did you get my new coat? Will you bring it home tonight? Well, what time will you be home? >> Well, that's what I was just going to tell you. You see, I I'll be home a little late, darling. I'm going out with the boss on a big financial deal. >> Well, all right, but you take care of that $200 or Chester Twister, I'll take care of you. >> Yes. >> You'll get home early and don't forget that coat. YOU PROMISED IT TO ME AND I WANT IT. >> YES, YES. >> when I'm talking and make that boss give you a yes. Yes, yes. Yes. No. No, no, no. >> And you remember that. Hello. Oh, hello Mary. >> Jack and I are going to drive out to Hialeah racetrack this afternoon. We thought you and Chester might like to go with us. >> Well, Chester is busy with some money matters with his boss. I'll go, Mary. Of course, you know I don't believe in gambling. Yes, I'll be ready. Stop by for me. Bye-bye. >> [music] [music] >> Hurry, Mr. Brewster. We're just in time for the second race. What did the Marvel say? >> Let me see. White Cockade can't miss, can't miss. >> How much you bet on it? >> Well, Mr. Brewster, I'm going to plunge a little. I'm going to bet two, two, and two. >> Huh? You mean 200 to win, 200 for second, and 200 for third? >> No. Uh $2 to win, $2 for second, and maybe we shouldn't play the $2 for third, huh? >> $2? Why, you're joking. Say, we must plunge. Bet the 600. >> 600? >> [music] >> Uh that ain't plunging. That's lunging. Oh, but we've got to get a lot of money quickly. Parker. Parker. >> [laughter] >> I'll see you when the horse comes in. >> Okay, Parker. White Cockade. >> Hey, pal. Got a pencil? >> Certainly. >> What do you like in the next race? >> White Cockade for all the tea in China. >> White Cockade? That dog? Listen, pal, that pig hasn't got a chance. You bet a little for me, and I'll give you the winner. >> Yeah? >> Yeah. >> What is it? No, don't tell me. >> Okay, pal, but it's a nice five to one shot. >> Five to one? Tell me. No, no, go away. Hey, wait a minute. Tell me. No, go away. Go away. Just a minute, friend. What is it? No, don't tell me. No. No. >> Hey! What are you doing? >> Oh, pay no attention to me, mister. I'm I'm struggling with myself. >> Listen, pal. This horse is fixed. >> Yeah? >> No. >> Yeah? >> What is it? I I lost the struggle. >> Fine. How much do you bet? >> Well, 600. Two to >> Say no more, buddy. Say no more. Hey, Joe! >> Yeah. >> How's your sport? Joe, my pal here wants to bet 600 to win. >> Yeah? >> No, no. 200 to win and 200 >> Now, now. Don't change the subject. 600 to win on Nose Dive. >> Nose Dive? What a name. >> Okay, Jip. Thanks. >> Jip? Nose Dive? I never heard such names. Let me see. Nose Dive. Nose Dive. Here he is. >> Hey! This horse is 12 years old. Two more years he'll be eligible for social security. >> Listen, pal. This is the big killing before he retires. >> Yeah? >> The horses are out at the post, READY TO GO. >> HERE THEY COME! >> OH, MR. JIP, I can't look. I'LL CONCENTRATE. COME ON, NOSE DIVE. COME ON, Nose Dive. >> You must >> Come on, Nose Dive. >> give you the winner of the NEXT RACE. >> COME ON! WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS ONE? >> AH, this one's in the bag. >> I'll sew it up. Come on, Nose Dive. Come on, come on, Nose Dive. COME ON, DIVE. COME ON, BOY. COME ON. COME ON, BOY. >> HEY, HEY, HEY. >> COME ON. >> THIS IS OVER. >> COME HOME FOR PAPA. >> IT'S OVER. >> OVER? NOW, don't let us get excited. Let's be calm. Let's talk soft and slow. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, one. >> White Cockade. Did you have to say it so fast? And you told me not to bet on White Cockade. >> White Cockade, pal? He's a dog. >> Yeah. And as a point of information, what happened to that glue pot Nose Dive? >> The jockey fell off. >> Fell off? He didn't fall off, he jumped off. >> Jumped off? >> Yeah. He was afraid to stay out there alone. >> Well, thanks for the pencil. Chester, you're no wonder. >> White Cockade won at 4 to 1. Now we have $2,400 more. >> Well, we plunged, didn't we? >> I'll say we did. Now, Mr. Brewster, I >> Here, here, it's all right to win, but you don't have to be overcome with happiness. Now, who does Mendel the Marvel like in this race? >> Well, uh he likes Granville, but Fine. Mr. Brewster >> This time don't bet 600. >> I I think you're right. >> Bet a thousand. And to think I was going to jail today. >> Well, the day ain't over. >> What? That's good. Hiya, pal. >> Stay away from me. >> Listen. >> Stay away from me, you wolf in tipster's clothing. >> Now, pal, I got a sure winner in this race. This horse stands alone. >> Yeah, after the other horses leave the post. I got the winner of this race, Granville. >> Granville? He's a dog. What? Okay. Say, what what makes you so sure this horse is going to be the winner? This horse has tender feet. Yeah? He likes a soft track. How's the track today? Oh, lovely, just lovely. Look, I brought a sample so you can judge for yourself. Here. Soft, all right. That's no way to judge. Look, look. And here. Here. Yeah, it feels soft. Now, now taste it. Taste it. Isn't that good? It's soft, all right, but it certainly has been used before. The third race is next. I think I'll put a bet on Granville. All right, Jack, we'll be at the rail. Oh, Mary, you shouldn't let Jack gamble. Well, why not, Kitty? He gets a kick out of it. Well, if I catch that boy scout of mine gambling, I'll see that he gets a kick out of it, believe me. Hey, Joe. RIGHT HERE, MY FRIEND. MY PAL HERE wants to make a little bet. >> Yeah. >> Well, fine. How much this time? >> Mr., what do you mean how much? My pal is strictly a $600 better. >> Yeah, $600 to win on uh uh Say, what's the horse's name? >> Dark Outlook. >> I want the horse's name, not my future. >> Dark Outlook, hey? $600 to win. Okay, mister. >> Dark Outlook. Say, don't you know any nice horses? >> The horses are at the post for the third race. >> Come on, I don't want to miss this. Come on, Dark Outlook. Come on, come on, DARK OUTLOOK. PLEASE, COME ON, PLEASE. COME ON, GRANVILLE. GRANVILLE. COME ON, DARK OUTLOOK. COME ON. COME ON, Dark Outlook. >> Doc outcome ought to be along any minute now, don't you think? >> I don't know what to say. >> I do. It's a good thing for America you didn't pick Paul Revere's horse. >> It was his tender feet. >> Tender feet? He ain't got tender feet. >> No? >> No. He don't use them enough to make them tender. Get out of here. Get out of here. Oh. Why did I ignore my own tips? What will my boss say? What will my wife say? >> Why, Chester wouldn't dare bet on a horse. >> Why, it's Aunt Jenny. Her voice reaches me out here. Oh, there you are. Hello, kid. I'm >> Hello, Mr. Brewster. Mr. Brewster, I have something to tell you. >> You don't have to tell me. I saw the race. >> But our horse >> But our horse won. Now we have $1,500 more. >> [laughter] >> What's the matter, sonny? Are you lost? >> Yes. My mother told me to meet her at the hot dog stand, but I don't know where it is. >> Well, there's the hot dog stand. Is that your mother? >> Yes, that's her. Thanks, mister. You're nice. Now I'll give you something. Sunshine Girl is a good horse. >> Say, is there a sign on my back? >> [laughter] >> Sunshine Girl. >> Here. Here, hold my coat. I'll go to the paddock and look them over. Sunshine Girl. Uh can I have a drink of water, please? Hello, Chester. >> No. >> More trouble. What is this, bank night? >> Now listen, Jack. Kitty mustn't know I'm here. >> Ah, don't worry. Hey, Chester. I won $50 on that last race, but I told Mary I only won $4. Say, will you will you hold it for me? >> Well, I I >> What's the word now? >> So long. So long. $50. Sunshine girl, the Tigers time. Why, it's psychic. It's astral. I CAN SEE THE LIGHT. HELLO? It's dark again. What do you want? >> Listen, pal. I got a horse that >> Well, you can take him and I'll play my own horse. >> Well, how are you, mister? >> Uh, Mr. Joe, I want to bet $50 to win on a >> Have a hot dog, Kitty? >> All right, fella. What horse? >> Never mind. >> Never mind? Why, there's no horse by that name. Hey, wait a minute, mister. You want to place a bet? >> Yeah. >> What horse do you want? >> Well, put $50 on >> Hey, Chester. I'd like to have my 50 back if you don't mind. >> Well, I uh >> Well, what horse do you want? >> Uh, skip it. >> Hey, Chester. Chester. >> Never mind and skip it. Hey, none of those horses are running. >> Ah. >> Kitty. >> Listen. Put 50 to win No. What will you give me for this expensive topcoat? >> Well, it's a good one, all right. A $50 bet. >> That makes a hundred. Put the hundred to win on >> Here you are, Chester. Oh, give me the coat. I'm getting chilly. >> Well, uh >> What's the name of the horse? >> I'll see you around sometime. >> Hey, Chester. Come back here. Hey, listen, fella. Are you trying to kid somebody? >> Now listen, pal. I'm sorry. Here. take the coat. There's the $50. Put the 100 to win on >> Chester out here? You're crazy. >> But I tell you I saw him. >> Oh, please, the horse's name. >> Sun of my Sun Sun Oh. >> Chester. >> Oh. >> What is the horse's name? >> Sun Sun Pearl Sun Sun Pearl Sun Sun Pearl Sun Pearl. >> What? Oh, Sun Pearl, that name. 201. >> [laughter] >> What a chump. >> Wait till I get my hands on that worm. >> The horses are lined up for the fourth race. And they're off. >> Come on. Come on. Come on, honey. COME COME ON, HONEY. PLEASE, COME ON. COME ON. COME ON, SUNSHINE GIRL. Come on, Sunshine Girl. >> He wants Sunshine Girl to win THIS RACE. >> NEVER MIND THEM, HONEY. COME ON. PLEASE, come on. >> Did that horse win? Wow. Mister uh Did the Sunshine Girl win? >> Sunshine Girl? Why, no. >> Oh. Oh, my poor wife. My wife's fur coat I was supposed to buy the the My boss's coat the I I My boss will go to jail. The the Oh. Oh, there you are. >> Chester Twit, you'll be sorry for this. >> But listen, Mr. Brewster. Listen, Kitty. >> I don't understand your actions. >> Have you been gambling, Chester? >> Now, I can explain everything. >> Well, you certainly put me out of business, mister. $20,000. >> $20,000? Did my horse What horse won? >> Sun Pearl won. >> Sun Pearl? Why, the boy told me Sunshine Girl. >> Ah, Sunshine Girl won the first race. Chester, you're a wonder. >> Oh, Chester, I always knew you were smart. >> I pick them, don't I? >> HI, PAL. >> [laughter] >> WELL, WELL. >> SUN PEARL DIDN'T PAL. >> YEAH. >> [laughter] >> That's the horse I was going to give you. >> Yeah. >> Do I get what's coming to me? >> YOU SAID IT. >> [laughter] >> OH, CHESTER, YOU'RE WONDERFUL. >> You telling me? >> Partner. >> [music]

Online Copy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrmPez_dLC0

Metadata Source:YouTube


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