The read
Critics rate it 24 points higher than audiences do. Scores higher than 74% of the 235 1940s comedy movies in this catalog.
Synopsis
An illiterate stooge in a traveling medicine show wanders into a strange town and is picked up on a vagrancy charge. The town's corrupt officials mistake him for the inspector general whom they think is traveling in disguise. Fearing he will discover they've been pocketing tax money, they make several bungled attempts to kill him.
Ratings
IMDb6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes91%
Critics rate it 24 points higher than audiences do.
58 audience votes
Key crew
- Henry KosterDirector
- Philip RappScreenplay
- Harry KurnitzScreenplay
- Johnny GreenOriginal Music Composer
Cast
- Danny KayeGeorgi
- Walter SlezakYakov
- Barbara BatesLeza
- Elsa LanchesterMaria
- Gene LockhartThe Mayor
- Alan HaleKovatch
- Walter CatlettColonel Castine
- Rhys WilliamsInspector General
- Benny BakerTelecki (uncredited)
- Leonard BremenLieutenant (uncredited)
- Robert CherryPeasant (uncredited)
- Frank ConlanOId Villager (uncredited)
Movies like The Inspector General
Themes
corruptionescapemayorsnake oilmedicine show