Love on a Bet, one of RKO's offerings for American theaters in 1936, was a definitive product of its era. Produced and released during the height of the Great Depression, this romantic comedy helped its audience face the challenge of being poor, and to take delight in the simple pleasures of life. The plot involves Gene Raymond betting his rich uncle that he can start in New York with nothing but his underwear and wind up in Los Angeles, ten days later, wearing a new suit of clothes, $100 in his pocket, and engaged to a pretty girl.

In particular, Love on a Bet addressed the problem of homelessness, and the plight of millions of Americans who found themselves without a job, a bank account, or a home. For many, the street substituted as both a bed and a home. Love on a Bet took this basic premise and weaved an escapist fantasy around it. My Man Godfrey(1936), Meet John Doe (1941) and Sullivan's Travels(1942) are a few of the more famous titles that have also dealt humorously, but respectably, with the "forgotten men" who populated American streets.

The star in Love on a Bet was blonde, blue-eyed, early-talkie leading man Gene Raymond, who had been on the New York stage from near-infancy, making his Broadway bow at age 12. Though never a major star, Raymond developed a following in a variety of good film roles. His best screen assignments include important roles in If I Had a Million (1932), Zoo in Budapest (1933), Flying Down to Rio (1933) and Alfred Hitchcock's only screwball comedy, Mr. and Mrs. Smith (1941). In 1948, Raymond scored a quadruple feat by producing, directing, co-writing and starring in Million Dollar Weekend. In real life, Raymond was married to singing star Jeanette MacDonald from 1937 until her death in 1965. Despite the many film credits between them, they only acted together in one film, Smilin' Through in 1941.

Director: Leigh Jason
Producer: Lee S. Marcus
Screenplay: Kenneth Earl (story), Philip G. Epstein, P.J. Wolfson
Cinematography: Robert De Grasse
Editor: Desmond Marquette
Art Direction: Albert Herman, Van Nest Polglase
Music: Alberto Colombo
Cast: Gene Raymond (Michael MacCreigh), Wendy Barrie (Paula Gilbert), Helen Broderick (Aunt Charlotte), William Collier Sr. (Uncle Carlton), Spencer Charters (Innkeeper).
BW-77m.

By Scott McGee