THREE OF A KIND (1936) Evalyn Knapp, Chick Chandler & Berton Churchill | Comedy, Romance | B&W

Three of a Kind is a 1936 American film directed by Phil Rosen. It was made by Invincible Pictures Corporation which was later absorbed into Republic Pictures.

SYNOPSIS
Barbara "Babs" Penfield is trying to convince her father, laundry-magnate F. Thorndyke Penfield, to invest money in a proposition from her sweetheart Rodney Randall. Her father refuses as he knows Randall is a fortune hunter, as did any 30's audience once Bradley Page appeared on the scene. While Penfield hurries out to award the Penfield Prize for Service at his laundry, Babs, finding her allowance has been stopped by her father, tries to sell her car to raise cash to give to Randall. While Babs is talking to the car dealer in his shop, "Con" Cornelius, just out of jail, sells the car, pockets the cash and makes a getaway. The car is bought by Jerry Bassett, who has just won the Penfield $1,000 Service and has quit his job at the laundry. (So much for service awards.) Jerry drives his flashy car to the Royal Valley, a swanky resort, where Randal is awaiting financial help from Barbara. Jerry meets Barbara on the road and gives her a lift to the hotel, thinking she is on her way there to apply for a job, and is surprised to later see her as a guest.

Barbara Penfield (Evalyn Knapp) tries to persuade her father, laundry magnate F. Thorndyke Penfield (Richard Carle), to invest in a business venture proposed by her sweetheart Rodney Randall (Bradley Page). Her father, knowing Randall to be a fortune hunter, refuses and stops her allowance and freezes her bank account. Undeterred from financing Randall, but lacking the cash, Barbara decides to trade in her expensive car for a very cheap one.

While she is out on a test drive with a salesman, her car is fraudulently sold by con man "Con" Cornelius (Berton Churchill) who is loitering around the car yard. The buyer, Jerry Bassett (Chick Chandler), is a Penfield Company laundry worker who has just quit after winning best employee award and $1,000. He sets out for the Royal Valley holiday resort and on the road picks up Barbara who, after the cheap car broke down, is hitchhiking to a rendezvous there with Randall. She does not recognize her own car which Bassett is driving, and introduces herself using the false name Beatrice Payne.

Arriving at the Royal Valley, Bassett and "Beatrice" book into separate rooms. Later Cornelius and his daughter Prudence arrive. Bassett learns that Beatrice is really Barbara Penfield, the daughter of his ex-employer, and it is confirmed when Penfield himself arrives to put a stop to any further negotiation between her and Randall.

Several cases of mistaken identity result between Penfield, Randall, Cornelius, and Bassett, with almost everyone believing the other is rich and manoeuvering to make a deal with him. Meanwhile, police investigator Cogarty is on the trail of the fraudulently sold car and he recognizes ex-convict Cornelius and swindler Randall.

CAST & CREW
Evalyn Knapp as Barbara Penfield
Chick Chandler as Jerry Bassett
Berton Churchill as 'Con' Cornelius
Richard Carle as F. Thorndyke Penfield
Bradley Page as Rodney Randall
Patricia Farr as Prudence Cornelius
Lew Kelly as Police Sgt. Cogarty
Pat West as Beef Smith
Bryant Washburn as Mr. Grimwood
Harry Bradley as Mr. Fash
John Dilson as Doc Adams
Billy Gilbert as The Tailor

Directed by Phil Rosen
Written by Arthur T. Horman, Screenplay by Arthur T. Horman
Produced by Maury M. Cohen
Production company Invincible Pictures
Distributed by Chesterfield Pictures
Release date 1936
Running time 73 minutes
Country United States
Language English