Milton Berle's Lucky Callan works for the highly successful bookmaker Tony Miller (Caesar Romero). Callan is a gum chewing, fast talking fellow who used a disguise to place bets on the horses with Miller. He is caught out and owes Miller a bundle. The good news (at least for Callan, if not the uncle) is that his uncle has died and left him an art gallery; the bad news is that the art gallery is in dire financial straights. Miller falls for one of the gallery's curators, Helen Mason (Landis) and starts pouring money into the gallery. Mason tries to teach Miller the finer points of art collecting. Miller falls in with forgers and it soon becomes a question of what is real and what is a forgery. In a confused way, it all gets sorted out in the end. The supporting cast is marvelous especially Rose Hobart, J. Carroll Naish (as the forger), Elisha Cook Jr. and Milton Berle. The scenes between Berle and Cook (who plays a starving modern artist) are quite funny. I remember Berle from television and while I liked some of the interviews he gave later in his career, I never cared for his television comedy – in my mind's eye I always see him in a Carmen Miranda type outfit and simply don't understand that a lot of people found that funny. That said, I have much enjoyed the (pre-television fame) movies that I have seen him in and this movie is no exception. I thought he was right on. For me, this was a comedy so the lack of logic in a number of the plot elements is not bothersome. Besides, what's not to like about Caesar Romero?
8 Reviews
Breathless B
boblipton21 May 2012
Cesar Romero stars in another Fox B movie, but not as the Cisco Kid this time. Now he's a Runyonesque bookie who gets entangled with Carole Landis, a failing art gallery and a gang of art forgers.
Ray McCarey fills out the smaller roles with longtime and rising comics, including Dell Henderson, Syd Saylor and Milton Berle as the lead comic; even J. Carrol Naish gets a very funny role as the forger. It looks like Fox was getting ready to move Romero up to leads in the As, but he double-crossed them and joined the Coast Guard for the duration.
The constant shuffling between low comedy and more serious moments occasionally seems a little forced, given the unvarying paces of the secondary leads. Add in the rather low-lit lighting choices cinematographer Charles Clarke makes to emphasize the picture's serio-comic nature and the net effect may seem a touch off-putting to the overly critical. A movie watcher looking for a good time, however, will have no complaints.
Ray McCarey fills out the smaller roles with longtime and rising comics, including Dell Henderson, Syd Saylor and Milton Berle as the lead comic; even J. Carrol Naish gets a very funny role as the forger. It looks like Fox was getting ready to move Romero up to leads in the As, but he double-crossed them and joined the Coast Guard for the duration.
The constant shuffling between low comedy and more serious moments occasionally seems a little forced, given the unvarying paces of the secondary leads. Add in the rather low-lit lighting choices cinematographer Charles Clarke makes to emphasize the picture's serio-comic nature and the net effect may seem a touch off-putting to the overly critical. A movie watcher looking for a good time, however, will have no complaints.
Very cute and hilarious
HotToastyRag28 April 2021
If you like those old Edward G. Robinson movies that show a gangster with a heart of gold, check out A Gentleman at Heart starring Cesar Romero. It's absolutely hilarious. With a short running time, I could have easily watched another hour. Every minute is packed with surprising jokes, and the story is cute and clever.
Cesar is a bookie who likes to do things by the book. He never wants to get in trouble with the government, and he squares his debts. Milton Berle works in his office, and he's always getting into trouble and debt. Owing Cesar five thousand dollars, he's very glad to receive the news that his uncle has died and left him an inheritance. It's an art gallery, run by Carole Landis, and Cesar quickly takes control to turn a profit on the paintings.
A Gentleman at Heart is so funny; I couldn't stop laughing. Milton Berle is reminiscent of Oscar Levant, with wisecracks at every turn but without the depression. Everything out of his mouth made me forget my troubles and laugh. Cesar is gorgeous as usual, and very charming. It's no wonder Carole can't resist him, even though she starts the movie with a boyfriend.
Quick, funny, and with a host of familiar faces (J. Carrol Naish, Elisha Cook Jr., and Jerome Cowan), this oldie will brighten up your evening.
Cesar is a bookie who likes to do things by the book. He never wants to get in trouble with the government, and he squares his debts. Milton Berle works in his office, and he's always getting into trouble and debt. Owing Cesar five thousand dollars, he's very glad to receive the news that his uncle has died and left him an inheritance. It's an art gallery, run by Carole Landis, and Cesar quickly takes control to turn a profit on the paintings.
A Gentleman at Heart is so funny; I couldn't stop laughing. Milton Berle is reminiscent of Oscar Levant, with wisecracks at every turn but without the depression. Everything out of his mouth made me forget my troubles and laugh. Cesar is gorgeous as usual, and very charming. It's no wonder Carole can't resist him, even though she starts the movie with a boyfriend.
Quick, funny, and with a host of familiar faces (J. Carrol Naish, Elisha Cook Jr., and Jerome Cowan), this oldie will brighten up your evening.
Cute and enjoyable.
planktonrules28 December 2018
"A Gentleman at Heart" is a light comedy that is unusual...and I really appreciate a film that is unique!
The story begins with Lucky (Milton Berle) trying to cheat his boss' bookmaking business. Instead, the schmuck ends up owing Tony (Cesar Romero) $5000...a debt he would appear to have no chance of ever repaying. But instead of breaking his legs, Tony agrees to take Lucky's inheritance off his hands...and the inheritance is an art gallery. It's not Tony's love of art behind his decision to take the gallery and it's not really money, as the place seems worthless. No, it's because there's a very pretty lady who works there (Carole Landis) and Tony is smitten.
What makes all this interesting is that at heart, Tony is a bit of a crook. So, when he finds an art forger who is incredibly talented, he decides to start passing off fakes as valuable originals. What's next? See the film.
This is a light-hearted time passer...a pleasant comedy with nice acting that is worth seeing but which won't necessarily change your life. Clever...and quite unique.
The story begins with Lucky (Milton Berle) trying to cheat his boss' bookmaking business. Instead, the schmuck ends up owing Tony (Cesar Romero) $5000...a debt he would appear to have no chance of ever repaying. But instead of breaking his legs, Tony agrees to take Lucky's inheritance off his hands...and the inheritance is an art gallery. It's not Tony's love of art behind his decision to take the gallery and it's not really money, as the place seems worthless. No, it's because there's a very pretty lady who works there (Carole Landis) and Tony is smitten.
What makes all this interesting is that at heart, Tony is a bit of a crook. So, when he finds an art forger who is incredibly talented, he decides to start passing off fakes as valuable originals. What's next? See the film.
This is a light-hearted time passer...a pleasant comedy with nice acting that is worth seeing but which won't necessarily change your life. Clever...and quite unique.
The Art Racket
bkoganbing13 August 2014
A Gentleman At Heart is a mildly amusing comedy from 20th Century Fox's B Picture unit that stars Cesar Romero who steps out of his own racket as a book maker to enter the world of art. Inspired by the good looks of Carole Landis who is one of the curators of an art gallery, Romero learns quick about how this could be exploited, but will it be fast enough?
It all starts when Romero's associate Milton Berle inherits an art gallery from his late uncle. As Berle is in deep to Romero he gives it to him and he's ready to sell even for the small amount the location and building will bring him. But hanging around Landis and then making the acquaintance of a pair of con artists Rose Hobart and J. Carrol Naish, Romero sees all kinds of possibilities, especially from Naish who is a forger and boasts his forgeries are better than the originals.
A Gentleman At Heart still holds up well after over 70 years. Mainly because the subject matter is eternal. There are art galleries and there are con artists looking to take advantage. Philistines as well if you'll recall The Wheeler Dealers James Garner catches on to the art racket rather quickly and learns the economics of the situation.
Cesar and Carole are attractive leads and there's a host of familiar character players who are always a treat. Can't go wrong with this.
It all starts when Romero's associate Milton Berle inherits an art gallery from his late uncle. As Berle is in deep to Romero he gives it to him and he's ready to sell even for the small amount the location and building will bring him. But hanging around Landis and then making the acquaintance of a pair of con artists Rose Hobart and J. Carrol Naish, Romero sees all kinds of possibilities, especially from Naish who is a forger and boasts his forgeries are better than the originals.
A Gentleman At Heart still holds up well after over 70 years. Mainly because the subject matter is eternal. There are art galleries and there are con artists looking to take advantage. Philistines as well if you'll recall The Wheeler Dealers James Garner catches on to the art racket rather quickly and learns the economics of the situation.
Cesar and Carole are attractive leads and there's a host of familiar character players who are always a treat. Can't go wrong with this.
Roman among the Rembrandts in this comedy caper
SimonJack20 January 2021
"A Gentleman at Heart" is a fair comedy caper that stars Cesar Romero and Milton Berle as the principal sources of the humor. Romero's Tony Miller is a big-time bookie in New York, and Berle's Lucky Cullen is one of his boys. Cullen gets in trouble with his boss by disguising his voice on the phone and impersonating a Southern gentleman who's betting the ponies. But he keeps losing and with a considerable debt, Tony discovers the ruse. But then, Lucky inherits a sizable art gallery in mid-town so Tony takes it over in payment of Lucky's debt.
The fun starts to roll when they go to case the joint and find Carole Landis as "Helen Mason," the manager. The plot soon develops with fake paintings, a hippy young modern artist, and romance developing between Tony and Helen. It's a light but funny and entertaining film.
Here are some favorite lines from this film.
Lucky Cullen, "But Tony, the birds are bloomin' and the flowers are singin' and it's healthy for ya." Tony Miller, "Not for your it isn't - get in."
Tony Miller, "Not bad. How come you never mentioned this uncle of yours?" Lucky Cullen, "The family never talked about him. He was the one who was honest and legitimate."
Tony Miller, "What'd you say they call this place?" Helen Mason "The Hamilton Museum of Art." Tony, "I always ducked this place. I thought it was a federal courthouse."
Tony Miller, "You got a good head on your shoulders. I wonder who's it is."
The fun starts to roll when they go to case the joint and find Carole Landis as "Helen Mason," the manager. The plot soon develops with fake paintings, a hippy young modern artist, and romance developing between Tony and Helen. It's a light but funny and entertaining film.
Here are some favorite lines from this film.
Lucky Cullen, "But Tony, the birds are bloomin' and the flowers are singin' and it's healthy for ya." Tony Miller, "Not for your it isn't - get in."
Tony Miller, "Not bad. How come you never mentioned this uncle of yours?" Lucky Cullen, "The family never talked about him. He was the one who was honest and legitimate."
Tony Miller, "What'd you say they call this place?" Helen Mason "The Hamilton Museum of Art." Tony, "I always ducked this place. I thought it was a federal courthouse."
Tony Miller, "You got a good head on your shoulders. I wonder who's it is."
A gallery of gamblers has the art right here, and it's a faster race than the portrait of Paul Revere's ride.
mark.waltz25 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
The dashing Cesar Romero and funny man Milton Berle are running their art show like a horse race, finding a fast way to a big buck, but they may end up on their keesters faster than a rodeo participant on a bucking bronco. Berle is in debt up to his big teeth and must involve Romero in the profits he might get when he inherits a posh Fifth Avenue art gallery. But fine art is expensive, so selling paintings happens only on occasion, that is until they discover a knockoff artist who can paint the classics as if they were reproduced by the original painter. While the gallery appraiser Francis Pierot is an expert at recognizing phonies, clerk Carole Landis believes them to be on the up and up, and after falling in love with Romero, discovers the truth.
This cleverly written comedy mixes the world of gambling with the world of fine art, and if not completely believable, is sophisticated enough and enjoyable, even to non-art lovers like me. The cast is great, with Elisha Cook Jr. very funny as an eccentric struggling painter and J. Carroll Naish as the expert forger among the standouts. Berle is only moderately broad here, with the dashing Romero and the beautiful Landis not being upstaged. In a sense, this is a bit of Damon Runyeon mixed in with a higher society than he's ever known, and it's all perfectly top drawer.
This cleverly written comedy mixes the world of gambling with the world of fine art, and if not completely believable, is sophisticated enough and enjoyable, even to non-art lovers like me. The cast is great, with Elisha Cook Jr. very funny as an eccentric struggling painter and J. Carroll Naish as the expert forger among the standouts. Berle is only moderately broad here, with the dashing Romero and the beautiful Landis not being upstaged. In a sense, this is a bit of Damon Runyeon mixed in with a higher society than he's ever known, and it's all perfectly top drawer.
Lovely comedy with great performances
patriciobsas21 January 2022
A classy and witty comedy on all fronts - short even for the standards of the day, it seems longer as the plot is so rich and dynamic! Plus, something that really (positively) struck me and is the subtle flirtation between two male characters (i.e. Lucky and the young painter) that is soooo revolutionary for the time --the scene where Lucky ushers off the young guy, closes the door, and sighs in relief and says "I'm beginning to be afraid of myself" is gorgeous.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
