Local Boy Makes Good

"Local Boy Makes Good" is a fine entry on Brown's resume.

As has been mentioned by other reviewers, this movie's subject matter has been covered better before (i.e., Lloyd's "The Freshman"); however, one should keep in mind that this movie is an early talkie, so it provides opportunities for gags that weren't generally available to earlier filmmakers, and Brown makes the best of these new opportunities.

Having come from the stage, Joe E. Brown is as much a verbal comedian as he is a physical one. Both of these comedic attributes shine in this film.

I am not a big Brown fan. I've always viewed him as a minor film comic, albeit near the top of the minor film-comedian list. He achieved film popularity during his middle age (he was nearly 40 when this early-in-his-film-career movie was made). No sooner had he got his movie career rolling along than it was time for the studios to move him out and bring in younger blood. Having said this, I enjoyed this film. It is a pleasant time capsule.

It is pre-Code, so be prepared for and enjoy the many saucy word games and rapid-fire, risqué repartee between Brown and the ladies.

And speaking of the ladies: They are a pair of knock outs to be sure. Lee and Hall acquit themselves in a fine manner.

One last word: If you want to truly appreciate Brown's contribution to Wilder's "Some Like It Hot," I believe you must acquaint yourself with his earliest films. "Hot" is not the movie to "discover" Brown's talents. It's done with "Local Boy," and films like it.