''My Wife's Relatives'' is a 1939 American

comedy film The comedy film is a film genre that emphasizes humor. These films are designed to amuse audiences and make them laugh. Films in this genre typically have a happy ending, with dark comedy being an exception to this rule. Comedy is one of the o ...

directed by

Gus Meins Gus Meins (March 6, 1893 – August 1, 1940), born Gustave Peter Ludwig Luley, was an American film director. He was born in Frankfurt, Germany. Career Meins started out in the ‘teens as a cartoonist for the ''Los Angeles Evening Herald'' ...

and written by

Jack Townley Jack Townley (March 3, 1897 – October 15, 1960) was an American screenwriter. He wrote for nearly 100 films between 1926 and 1957. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and died in Los Angeles, California. Selected filmography * ''The T ...

. The film stars

James Gleason James Austin Gleason (May 23, 1882 – April 12, 1959) was an American actor, playwright and screenwriter born in New York City. Gleason often portrayed "tough-talking, world-weary guys with a secret heart-of-gold." Early life Gleason was ...

Lucile Gleason Lucile Gleason ( Webster; February 6, 1888 – May 18, 1947) was an American stage and screen actress. Gleason was also a civic worker who was active in film colony projects. Early life Lucile Webster was born on February 6, 1888, in Pasade ...

Russell Gleason Russell Gleason (February 6, 1908 – December 25, 1945) was an American actor who began his career at the very beginning of the talking film era. He was born into an acting family, the son of actors Lucille Gleason, Lucille and James Gleason. He ...

, Harry Davenport, Lynne Roberts and Tommy Ryan. The film was released on May 20, 1939, by

Republic Pictures Republic Pictures is currently an acquisition-only label owned by Paramount Pictures. Its history dates back to Republic Pictures Corporation, an American film studio that originally operated from 1935 to 1967, based in Los Angeles, California ...

. The film is the second of the nine-film Higgins Family series.

Plot

Joe Higgins is going to offer an expensive ring to his wife Lil to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, but gets fired from his job at the candy factory on the same day. Then Joe losses the ring and his son Sidney offers a reward to who finds it, meanwhile Grandpa begins to worry about the Higgins' finances and decides to marry a wealthy widow.

Cast

as Joe Higgins *

as Lil Higgins *

as Sidney Higgins * Harry Davenport as Grandpa Ed Carson * Lynne Roberts as Jean Higgins *Tommy Ryan as Tommy Higgins *

Purnell Pratt Purnell Pratt (October 20, 1885 – July 25, 1941) was an American film actor. He appeared in more than 110 films between 1914 and 1941. He was born in Bethel, Illinois and died in Hollywood, California. Pratt spent more than a year in Fra ...

as Mr. Ellis *

Maude Eburne Maude Eburne (born Maud Eburne Riggs, November 10, 1875 – October 15, 1960) was a Canadian character actress of stage and screen, known for playing eccentric roles. Early years Eburne was born the daughter of John and Mary Riggs, in Bron ...

as Widow Ella Jones *

Marjorie Gateson Marjorie Augusta Gateson (January 17, 1891 – April 17, 1977) was an American stage and film actress. Biography Gateson was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Augusta and Daniel Gateson. Her maternal grandfather and brother were clergymen; Some s ...

as Mrs. Ellis *Henry Arthur as Bill Ellis *

Sally Payne Sally Payne (September 5, 1912 – May 8, 1999) was an American actress. She featured in several B-Westerns in the 1940s. Career Payne worked as a model for artists before making her first film, ''Hollywood Hobbies'' (1935), where she appeared ...

as Lizzie * Edward Keane as Jarvis

References

External links

* 1939 films American comedy films 1939 comedy films Republic Pictures films Films directed by Gus Meins American black-and-white films Films with screenplays by Jack Townley Films produced by Sol C. Siegel 1930s English-language films 1930s American films {{1930s-comedy-film-stub