''Two Guys from Milwaukee'' (UK title: ''Royal Flush'') is a 1946 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
David Butler, and starring
Dennis Morgan,
Jack Carson and
Joan Leslie.
It was distributed by
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (WBEI), commonly known as Warner Bros. (WB), is an American filmed entertainment studio headquartered at the Warner Bros. Studios complex in Burbank, California and the main namesake subsidiary of Warner Bro ...
The film is about a Balkan prince who wants to see for himself what America is really like. So he slips away from his entourage in
New York City
New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...
and pretends to be an average guy. The film closely mimics the style of
Paramount
Paramount (from the word ''paramount'' meaning "above all others") may refer to:
Entertainment and music companies
* Paramount Global, also known simply as Paramount, an American mass media company formerly known as ViacomCBS.
**Paramount Picture ...
's popular ''
Road
A road is a thoroughfare used primarily for movement of traffic. Roads differ from streets, whose primary use is local access. They also differ from stroads, which combine the features of streets and roads. Most modern roads are paved.
Th ...
'' pictures, with Morgan in the
Bing Crosby
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby Jr. (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American singer, comedian, entertainer and actor. The first multimedia star, he was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century worldwi ...
romantic straight role and Carson as the comedic
Bob Hope
Leslie Townes "Bob" Hope (May 29, 1903 – July 27, 2003) was an American comedian, actor, entertainer and producer with a career that spanned nearly 80 years and achievements in vaudeville, network radio, television, and USO Tours. He appeared ...
sidekick.
Morgan, Carson, director
David Butler, and writer
I. A. L. Diamond reteamed for the 1948 followup, ''
Two Guys from Texas''.
Plot
Balkan
The Balkans ( , ), corresponding partially with the Balkan Peninsula, is a geographical area in southeastern Europe with various geographical and historical definitions. The region takes its name from the Balkan Mountains that stretch throug ...
Prince Henry arrives in New York City, determined to see how the "ordinary" man lives and works. Since his travel companions are unaware of his bold plan, he has to sneak away. He takes a taxi and gets to know the driver, Buzz Williams.
Henry makes up a background story for himself, claiming to be from Milwaukee, but it turns out the taxi driver was born and grew up there, which makes it harder for Henry to maintain his lie. Buzz invites Henry into his Brooklyn home, and teaches the prince all there is to know about real life. Henry is introduced to Buzz's sister, Nan Evans, and her young daughter, Peggy.
Unfortunately for Henry, there is a picture of him in the newspapers the next day, and it says he has been kidnapped. Henry assures Buzz that he will return in good time to stop his country from being converted to a
republic
A republic, based on the Latin phrase ''res publica'' ('public affair' or 'people's affair'), is a State (polity), state in which Power (social and political), political power rests with the public (people), typically through their Representat ...
. Buzz then helps Henry disguise himself by taking him to the barber shop where his girlfriend Connie Read works, and he shaves off his mustache.
That evening, Buzz and Henry plan to go on a double date with Connie and her friend Polly. Before that, Buzz asks Connie to show Henry around the area. During the day, Connie and Henry fall for each other, and Henry ultimately suggests they go somewhere and dine alone.
Henry arranges money to pay for dinner and Buzz's costs from his aide, Count Oswald. Then he and Connie have dinner, and afterwards meet up with Buzz, Polly and Oswald at the restaurant. They go to a movie together, and Buzz pays for his ticket with Balkan money he got from Oswald.
The movie theater manager becomes suspicious about the money and calls the FBI. They arrive and apprehend Henry at Connie's apartment. Henry is brought back to his hotel, where Oswald is waiting for him. The next day, Buzz's niece Peggy comes to beg Henry to stay away from Connie because Buzz is so jealous. She wants Henry to help get Buzz and Connie back together. Henry invites them all to his hotel suite to listen to a speech he is about to broadcast on the radio to the people of his country.
While they are in the suite, Connie tries to convince Buzz that they are not right for each other. Henry practices his speech and asks Buzz for help, which makes him talk about his love for the United States with great passion. They are unaware that the microphone is on, and Buzz's words are being broadcast. Since Buzz's speech is very good, he quickly becomes famous for his eloquence. Furthermore, the speech makes Connie fall back in love with him.
The people hearing Buzz's talk are inspired to vote to switch from a monarchy to a republic. Henry loses his title and privileges, and is free to stay in the US. He chooses to do that, and rushes off to Connie to ask for her hand in marriage. He is unaware that Buzz has done the same, and Connie has to decide which one of the completely different men she wants.
Ultimately, Connie chooses to marry Buzz, the man she has known for a long time and been in love with since she met him. Disappointed, Henry decides to go to Milwaukee, his pretended hometown, where he has been offered a job at a beer company. On the plane, he sees his favorite actress,
Lauren Bacall
Betty Joan Perske (September 16, 1924 – August 12, 2014), professionally known as Lauren Bacall ( ), was an American actress. She was named the AFI's 100 Years...100 Stars, 20th-greatest female star of classic Hollywood cinema by the America ...
, but is again discouraged when he sees that her husband,
Humphrey Bogart
Humphrey DeForest Bogart ( ; December 25, 1899 – January 14, 1957), nicknamed Bogie, was an American actor. His performances in classic Hollywood cinema made him an American cultural icon. In 1999, the American Film Institute selected Bogart ...
, is sitting next to her.
Cast
*
Dennis Morgan as Prince Henry
*
Joan Leslie as Connie Read
*
Jack Carson as Buzz Williams
*
Janis Paige as Polly
*
S. Z. Sakall as Count Oswald
* Patti Brady as Peggy
*
Rosemary DeCamp as Nan
*
Tom D'Andrea as Happy
*
John Ridgely as Mike Collins
*
Pat McVey as Johnson
*
Franklin Pangborn as Theatre Manager
*
Francis Pierlot as Dr. Bauer
References
External links
*
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Two Guys From Milwaukee
1946 films
1946 comedy films
American black-and-white films
American comedy films
Films directed by David Butler
Films scored by Friedrich Hollaender
Films set in New York City
Films with screenplays by I. A. L. Diamond
Warner Bros. films
1940s English-language films
1940s American films