Humphrey Takes a Chance

• Director: Jean Yarbrough
• AMG Rating:
• Genre: Comedy
• Movie Type: Sports Drama
• Main Cast: Leon Errol, Joe Kirkwood, Jr., Lois Collier, Robert Coogan, Jack Kirkwood
• Release Year: 1950
• Country: US
• Run Time: 62 minutes

Plot

This "Joe Palooka" entry concentrates on Joe's porcine pal Humphrey Pennyworth (played by Robert Coogan, the brother of former child star Jackie Coogan). When soft-hearted pugilist Joe Palooka (Joe Kirkwood Jr.) arrives for a bout in Humphrey's home town, everyone gets sucked into a crooked scheme concocted by duplicitous town mayor Phiffeney (Jack Kirkwood). Nothing is meant to be taken seriously in this one, as indicated by the film's climax, which degenerates into an old-fashioned pie fight. As usual, top billing in Humphrey Takes a Chance is bestowed upon Leon Errol as Joe Palooka's dyspeptic manager Knobby Walsh. Joe's girlfriend Anne Howe is played by Lois Collier, the latest in a long line of actresses to essay this role. Also released as {%Joe Palooka in Humphrey Takes a Chance}, the film was inspired by the "{%Joe Palooka}" comic strip by {$Ham Fisher}. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast

• Leon Errol - Knobby
• Joe Kirkwood, Jr. - Joe Palooka
• Lois Collier - Anne Howe
• Robert Coogan - Humphrey Pennyworth
• Jack Kirkwood - Phiffeney

Andrew Tombes - Sheriff Grogan; Stanley Prager - Ward; Tim Ryan - Bentley; Almira Sessions - Mrs. Hardwig; Joel Friedkin - Hootleman; Tom Neal - Gordon Rogers; Gil Lamb - Martin; Chester Conklin - Prentice; Hank Mann - Hiram; Clarence Hennecke - Zeke; Chester Clute - Upperbottom; Victoria Horne - Miss Tucker; Frank Sully - Looie; Eddie Gribbon - Canvas; Jim Drum - 2nd Heavy; Iris Adrian - Miss Tuttle

Credit

Dave Milton - Art Director, Jean Yarbrough - Director, Otho Lovering - Editor, Edward Kay - Composer (Music Score), Edward Kay - Musical Direction/Supervision, William Sickner - Cinematographer, Hal E. Chester - Producer, Raymond Boltz - Set Designer, Henry Blankfort - Screenwriter