(1937)
2.5
Craig Butler
Fans of comedian Joe E. Brown may do a double-take at the start of Fit for a King as their hero is shown getting out of a limo, apparently a wealthy, successful man. That, of course, is not what one expects of Brown, and sure enough, within moments it turns out that this was merely the set-up for a gag, and fans can breathe a sigh of relief: Brown is the same sad sack he's always been, and that's exactly what one wants. Well, perhaps one could ask for a bit more from King, such as a screenplay that gave our able comedian a bit more support. Truth to tell, Richard Flournoy's screenplay is adequate, but nothing more; while it gives Brown plenty to do, it doesn't provide the kind of madcap setting that would take King from being an enjoyable film to being a special one. Still, it has enough set pieces -- Brown in drag as a maid, Brown in an increasingly water-logged brig -- that it keeps the laughs coming, and that's really all that one needs here.
Fit for a King on AllMovie
Fit for a King (1937)
