Ruggles of Red Gap (VHS)

For the lover of great character actors, this film is a winner! It displays the talents of Charles Laughton, Charlie Ruggles, Mary Boland, Zazsu Pitts and others in a charming, if incredible story emphasizing how "all men (and women, too) are created equal" despite the vagaries of birth, status and wealth.
The plot begins in Europe and then shifts to the wild west of Washington state. Unfortunately the film's humor falls flat in this second half. Laughton excels appearing almost like what one would imagine the great Oscar Wilde was like in the "old West". Mary Boland brings off some zingers (as usual) and a good time is had by all. Charlie Ruggles seems more amusing as the out-of-place cowboy in Europe than as just another cowboy in Red Gap, Washington. Zasu Pitts seems to underplay her role although her expressions are priceless, as always.
This is definitely worth watching once by the true cinephile, but perhaps only once.