Too Busy to Work (1932 film)

Too Busy to Work is a 1932 American pre-Code comedy film directed by John G. Blystone and starring Will Rogers, Marian Nixon, and Dick Powell. The film is a satirical look at wealth and social class during the Great Depression.

Will Rogers plays Jubal "Jub" Logan, a wealthy but simple-minded rancher from Oklahoma who unexpectedly inherits a fortune. He travels to New York City to learn how to manage his newfound wealth, but finds himself overwhelmed by the complexities of high society and the machinations of unscrupulous advisors. Jub's down-to-earth values and common sense clash with the artificiality of the upper class, leading to humorous situations and social commentary.

Marian Nixon plays Ruth, a young woman working as a secretary who becomes entangled in Jub's affairs. Dick Powell plays Robert, Ruth's fiancé, who is initially skeptical of Jub but ultimately becomes a friend and ally.

The film utilizes Rogers' folksy humor and wit to critique the excesses of wealth and the challenges of the economic downturn. It explores themes of social responsibility, the importance of genuine human connection, and the enduring value of traditional American values. While not a major critical success at the time, Too Busy to Work is now recognized as a significant example of Rogers' work and a reflection of the social and economic anxieties of the early 1930s.