Title: Affairs of Cappy Ricks
Year: 1937
Genres: Comedy; Drama
Director: Ralph Staub
Cast:
- Walter Brennan as Alden “Cappy” Ricks
- Marian Marsh as Polly Dale
- Ruth Donnelly as Aunt Lettuce
- William Demarest as Bill Watson
- Alan Dinehart as Leddie Mathews
- Elizabeth Patterson as Mrs. Baggs
- Harry Stockwell as Jim Dale
- Hattie McDaniel as Mandy
- Jimmy Butler as Jimmy Dale
Synopsis:
Eccentric shipping magnate Cappy Ricks returns from a world cruise to find his company in disarray under the management of his overly cautious nephew. Intent on teaching his staff a lesson, he masquerades as his own substitute, challenging their conservative strategies with bold, unconventional orders. Along the way, he mentors young Polly Dale, whose cheerful optimism contrasts the firm’s jaded executives. Through comedic reversals and a staged “crisis,” Cappy exposes hidden loyalties, sparks romance between Polly and Jim Dale, and ultimately restores confidence to the company—proving that daring vision can triumph over bureaucratic caution.
Trivia:
- Walter Brennan’s portrayal of Cappy earned him widespread acclaim, showcasing his range beyond sidekick roles.
- Hattie McDaniel appears in an early screen role as Mandy, years before her Oscar-winning turn in Gone with the Wind.
- The film is based on a popular 1919 play by Rupert Hughes, updated for 1930s corporate culture.
- Studio head Harry Cohn insisted on several reshoots to add more comedic banter for William Demarest.
- Though not originally in the public domain, the film’s rights lapsed in the 1960s and it is now freely available in various archives.