Ruggles of Red Gap

US (1935): Comedy/Western

An English gentleman loses his stuffy manservant, Ruggles (Charles Laughton), in a poker game with an unmannered cowboy and his wife. Ruggles accompanies his new employers to the tiny, wild town of Red Gap, Washington. Rich, rowdy Egbert Floud (Charlie Ruggles) introduces Ruggles as "Colonel" Ruggles, and the town ladies are quite taken by the sophisticated servant in disguise as he enamors them with fictitious stories of battles gone by. Ruggles proves his newfound patriotism in one of the best scenes of the film, his recitation of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address in the Silver Dollar Saloon. The dream of freedom leads him to open his own restaurant, where one of his first customers is the nobleman who has come to reclaim his former servant. (Gary Jackson, IMDb)

Leo McCarey directs first sound (and third overall) version of the story. His cast includes Mary Boland, ZaSu Pitts, Roland Young and Leila Hyams. Laughton shows his incredible versatility in the title role, playing the shy, insecure Ruggles in a film released just six months before his monumental performance as Captain Bligh in Mutiny on the Bounty.

· Best Picture 1935: Arthur Hornblow, Jr., producer (Paramount)

1 nomination