Dwight Dawson (Don Ameche) is a real huckster. He runs a 'School for Success' but all he's been able to accomplish is run up a lot of bills. In desperation, he decides to run a contest and offer some total loser $500 as well as a free course on becoming successful. Tad (Henry Fonda) appears to be such a loser and wins the prize but instead of being able to use him for publicity, Dwight is shocked to find out that Tad doesn't want the course, just the money. It seems that Tad is quite happy with his lazy life back in Vermont. So, in desperation to salvage Tad as the new poster boy for the success courses, he conspires to find a reason...any reason...to keep Tad in New York. When he learns that Tad is smitten on Dwight's girlfriend, Claire (Lynn Bari), he convinces Claire to pretend to be interested in him. How all this works out is quite enjoyable and the ending, particularly so. Not a great film by any stretch but fun and original...and it's nice to see a jerk like Dwight get his in the end!
Review of The Magnificent Dope
The Magnificent Dope
(1942)
Don Ameche plays a real weasel...and perhaps he's the dope!
2 December 2015