In the Money

Plot

When Professor Higginbottom's chemical company unexpectedly files for bankruptcy, his once-wealthy family faces sudden poverty. The levelheaded eldest daughter Lambie desperately tries to manage their finances while her carefree siblings continue spending recklessly, refusing to accept their new reality. Youngest brother Dick, hoping to solve their financial troubles, enters a dangerous motorcycle race offering a $500 prize but suffers a devastating crash that leaves him paralyzed. The tragedy shocks the family into action, with younger sister Babs convincing former prizefighter Gunboat Bimms to return to the ring for one last fight, hoping the winnings will fund Dick's critical surgery and restore hope to their broken family.

Historical Background

Released in March 1933, 'In the Money' emerged during one of the darkest periods of the Great Depression. President Franklin D. Roosevelt had just been inaugurated, introducing his New Deal policies to combat the economic crisis. Hollywood was transitioning from the silent era to sound, and the film industry was itself experiencing financial difficulties. The pre-Code era (1930-1934) allowed filmmakers to explore more adult themes, including financial desperation, family breakdown, and moral compromises that would later be censored. This film directly addressed the economic anxieties of its audience, with themes of sudden wealth loss and the struggle to maintain dignity in poverty resonating with millions of Americans who had experienced similar hardships.

Making Of

The production of 'In the Money' typified the working conditions at smaller studios during the Great Depression. With limited resources, the cast and crew often worked long hours to complete films quickly and economically. Director Frank R. Strayer was known for his no-nonsense approach to filmmaking, often completing scenes in just a few takes to stay on schedule. The motorcycle racing sequences presented particular challenges, as safety equipment was minimal and the stunts were performed by actual daredevils rather than stunt doubles. The film's emotional scenes, particularly those dealing with the brother's paralysis, were likely influenced by the very real economic desperation affecting many American families during this period.

Visual Style

The cinematography in 'In the Money' was typical of low-budget productions from the early 1930s. The visual style was functional rather than artistic, with basic lighting setups and static camera positions to save time and money. The film likely used standard 35mm film stock of the era, with the visual quality reflecting the technical limitations of smaller studio productions. The motorcycle racing sequences would have required more dynamic camera work, possibly using hand-held cameras or tracking shots to capture the action, but the overall visual approach remained straightforward and unpretentious.

Innovations

As a low-budget production from 1933, 'In the Money' did not feature significant technical innovations. The film utilized standard sound recording equipment and cinematography techniques common to the era. The motorcycle racing sequences may have presented some technical challenges in terms of capturing moving action with early sound equipment, but these were handled using established methods of the period. The film represents the standard technical capabilities of smaller studios during the transition from silent to sound cinema, rather than pushing any technical boundaries.

Music

The film's soundtrack would have been typical of early sound productions, featuring a musical score composed specifically for the film or drawn from library music. As was common in 1933, the film likely included musical interludes or background music to enhance emotional scenes, though no specific composer information is available. The sound recording technology of the era meant that dialogue was often captured in single takes with limited microphone mobility, contributing to the somewhat static nature of many scenes. The film's audio quality would reflect the technical limitations of early sound recording equipment used by smaller studios.

Memorable Scenes

• The dramatic motorcycle race sequence where Dick crashes, captured with the limited technology of the era but still conveying the tragedy of the accident
• The emotional family confrontation when Lambie tries to make her siblings understand their new financial reality
• The climactic boxing match where Gunboat Bimms returns to the ring, fighting not just for money but for the family's future

What Critics Said

Contemporary critical reception for 'In the Money' was minimal, as it was a minor release from a smaller studio. The few reviews that appeared in trade publications like Variety and The Hollywood Reporter noted the film's timely themes and competent execution, though critics generally found it unremarkable compared to bigger studio productions. Modern critical assessment is virtually nonexistent due to the film's obscurity and limited availability. Film historians who have encountered it typically cite it as an example of the socially-conscious programming that smaller studios produced during the Depression years, though it's not considered a significant work in the director's or actors' careers.

What Audiences Thought

Audience reception in 1933 was likely positive among working-class viewers who related to the film's themes of financial struggle and family unity. The film's straightforward narrative and emotional appeal would have resonated with Depression-era audiences seeking both entertainment and validation of their own experiences. However, as a minor release with limited distribution, it likely reached a smaller audience than major studio productions. The film has largely faded from public memory, and there's little evidence of it developing a cult following or being rediscovered by later generations of classic film enthusiasts.

You Might Also Like