Considering this sketch type comedy was released 82 years ago (almost a century ago) it still holds up very well for the millenium babies who should get a kick out of the fast paced and simple story line that even they can keep up with. I know what I speak of as we have three (3) millenials of our own who are more focused on their cell phones text, streaming instantly the latest on the huge facebook privacy breach that contains almost all of their personal information, and marching to the "no guns, no more" campaign.
This simple story has a hard working jingle writer by trade named Erwin Trowbridge (Frank McHugh) capable of picking the winner of each horse race as long as he only plays for fun and does not gamble with any of his own money. Three hard core race track gamblers soon realize that in Erwin Trowbridge they hold the "golden goose" and after each race won by Erwin Trowbridge picking the winner their greed becomes ever more prevalent but we the audience don't know when Erwin Trowbridge's luck may just run out.
Through one of the gansters' acquaintances named Patsy (Sam Levene) Erwin meets a cute blonde moll named Mabel (Joan Blondell) who sees the need to protect Erwin from her violent boyfriend Patsy who is hell bent on threatening his golden goose Erwin if he fails to deliver yet another winning horse as these three comedic and compulsive gambling goons keep doubling up on their bets and continue their win streak.
We the audience can sit back and enjoy this comedic cat and mouse game that continues between the innocence of Erwin and his three hostage holders who refuse to let their golden goose go home, and/or back to what Erwin does best which is writing jingles for a greeting card company. Erwin repeatedly says he justs wants to go home to his loving wife Audrey (Carol Hughes) who rewards Erwin's love by ordering an endless string of dresses and hats, although his pesky brother-in-law Clarence Dobbins (Paul Harvey) is always over at his house defending his little sister and calling Erwin derogatory names.
Erwin's innocence shines through all the troubles he is subjected to and we the fans want to see what poor Erwin will be subjected to next in this laugh fest door opening/door slamming slap fest comedy. If the internet ever goes down for a couple of hours Three Men On A Horse would be an enjoyable way for even millenials to spend a Sunday morning or afternoon. I give this fast paced comedy a good 6 out of 10 rating which is pretty good for a black and white comedy released some 82 years earlier.
