Sorrowful Jones (1949)

My Review

“Sorrowful Jones” is a comedy-drama film where a New York bookie unexpectedly becomes the guardian of a little girl left behind as a collateral for a bet. Director Sidney Lanfield (“Standing Room Only” 1944) put together an engrossing story with an opportunity for star Bob Hope to deliver a surprisingly layered performance. The screenplay by Melville Shavelson, Edmund Hartmann, and Jack Rose was based on a 1932 short story by Damon Runyon called “Little Miss Marker,” and on the 1934 film of the same name starring Shirley Temple.

The stars of the show are Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, William Demarest, Bruce Cabot, Thomas Gomez, and Mary Jane Saunders as the little miss marker Martha Jane. “Sorrowful Jones” was a success at the box office for Paramount Pictures. Bob Hope and Lucille Ball starred in four films together – “Sorrowful Jones” (1949), “Fancy Pants” (1950), “The Facts of Life” (1960), “Critic’s Choice” (1963).