Lightnin' and Mary Jones are co-owners of a hotel built right on a state border, used by divorcing wives so they can pretend to be in California while establishing residency in Nevada. When Lightnin' refuses to sell his share of the hotel to a gang of crooks, Mary is coerced into divorcing her husband so that she can sign over the deed herself.
Acting
Will Rogers' folksy charm carries the whole enterprise.
Production
Border-straddling hotel set is genuinely clever staging.
Director
Henry King
Will Rogers
Lightnin' Bill Jones
Louise Dresser
Mrs. Mary Jones
Joel McCrea
John Marvin
Helen Cohan
Milly Jones
Jason Robards Sr.
Raymond Thomas
Sharon Lynn
Mrs. Lower - the Chiseler
Joyce Compton
Betty - Larry's Wife
Rex Bell
Larry - Betty's Husband
Charlotte Walker
Mrs. Thatcher
Luke Cosgrave
Zeb
J.M. Kerrigan
Judge Lemuel Townsend
Ruth Warren
Mrs. Margaret Davis
Goodee Montgomery
Mrs. Brooks - Sheriff's Wife
Phil Tead
Monte Winslow
Walter Percival
Everett Hammond
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Will Rogers died in a 1935 plane crash, making his pre-Code films precious rarities—most of his silent work is lost entirely.
Reno divorce ranches were real: wealthy women actually spent six weeks 'establishing residency' while riding horses and waiting for freedom. This hotel is the budget version.
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