Ruggles of Red Gap (1935)

 Leo McCarey's "Ruggles of Red Gap"


Based on the 1915 novel of the same name by Walter DeLeon, Leo McCarey's 1935 film "Ruggles of Red Gap" was both a critical and commerical success. The success send Leo McCarey to the top of commercial comedy filmmakers. Despite having directed The Marx's Brothers' "Duck Soup" just two years earlier, McCarey did not garnish praise due to the film's commercial failure. That film wouldn't become a success until it was reappraised retrospectively. However, "Ruggles of Red Gap" sent the director to the top of the studio directing list.

The film is set in 1908 and centers on British valet named Ruggles who is sent to America to valet a group of millionaires. Along the way, Ruggles encounters contrasting elements between American sensibilities and his gentleman's gentleman upbringing. He decides to stay in Ameria, 'the land of the free,' and start his own restaurant business.

Regarless of many amusing aspects of the film, I found the film to be a rather propagandic affair. At a time in 1935 when American sentiments were rock bottom after the Great Depression, this was a film to raise spirits and bring everyone on board to the notion that America was the land of the free and where 'every man is equal.' At many times in the film, Ruggles is astonished to discover that many Americans view him not different than his lower class standing. I guess they are insinuating that the class system in America is either non-existent or a non-issue. There is even a scene where Ruggles stands up in a bar and recites Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburgh Address. The entire scene had my eyes rolling into the back of my head. It was mildly amsuing for its subject matter, but it was a film that really liked to wax poetic about how amazing America is.



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