Beg, Borrow Or Steal

Beg, Borrow or Steal is a 1937 comedy-drama film that has intrigued and entertained audiences since its release. The film, directed by William Thiele and produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, stars the loveable and wonderfully talented Frank Morgan and the beautiful Florence Rice. Co-starring in this eccentric adventure is John Beal.

In this one-of-a-kind film, Frank Morgan delivers a charming performance as the outlandishly zany yet endearing American expatriate Jan Van Der Linden, living in France. Morgan is best known for his role as the Wizard in "The Wizard of Oz,” and audience members can see tinges of the Wizard’s charming buffoonery in his portrayal of Jan.

Jan lives the high life of an assumed European aristocrat even though he’s far from being one. In fact, he's flat broke and living on credit, a fact known to everyone but his daughter, Jacqueline, played by Florence Rice. Jacqueline, oblivious to her father's financial straits, engages in the radiant socialite life in Paris, reveling in their aristocratic status and possibly eyeing a marital alliance in the same illustrious circle. Jan’s ultimate goal is to ensure that his daughter is happily married into an affluent family, thereby securing her future and, by extension, his.

Then we meet John Beal's character, Kenneth Strawn, an American businessman visiting France. Strawn is honest, sincere, but also tactless and dismissive of European high society norms. He meets Jacqueline and is immediately enamored by her charm and beauty, but he's far from the aristocratic son-in-law Jan had mind.

As the plot thickens, Jan’s life of pretense teeters on the edge of exposure, threatening the opulent narrative he has built for Jacqueline and himself. Here we watch the distressed father, not quite the unscrupulous character he at first appeared to be, struggling to balance the truth of their predicament and the intricate network of deception complicated by the arrival of Strawn. To add to the chaos, creditors are knocking at his door, looking to collect on debts. Jan's aristocratic façade starts to show signs of crumbling, adding to the suspense and thrill of the film.

The film’s tone merges comedy and drama seamlessly, with the characters navigating through farcical situations that often have serious undertones. Amidst this, there's a heartwarming undertone of the father-daughter bond. Jacqueline‘s joyful charm and innocence make it heartbreaking to contemplate her realization of her father's deceptions and their real financial status.

Beg, Borrow or Steal delivers bursts of comedic relief, largely thanks to Morgan's impeccable comedic timing. His tremendous performance, ranging from being ludicrously gaudy to intensely desperate, is a highlight of the movie. The emotional range of Morgan's acting talents shines in this movie as he navigates between these situational extremities, reflecting both his facades - the Seigneur living a life of pomp and extravagance and the worried father trying to forestall his inevitable downfall.

Florence Rice as Jacqueline delivers a compelling performance, radiating charm and innocence so effectively that viewers are invested in her personal journey and romantic misadventures. John Beal’s portrayal of Kenneth brings another dimension to the film, providing a counterpoint to Van Der Linden's lifestyle and lies.

Overall, Beg, Borrow or Steal is a multifaceted film that effectively uses humor to emphasize and contrast with its dramatic elements. It depicts a headlong descent into chaos but manages to do so with a certain light-hearted flair. Its situational comedy, combined with the personal struggle of characters, creates a multidimensional viewing experience. The film is a testament to the exceptional talents of Frank Morgan and his supporting cast, who deliver a delightful cinematic experience.