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In the Money

Name: In the Money
Director: Frank R. Strayer
Released: 1933
Duration: 66 min

Representation Score

3.3/10

Limited

1933

Passed

Director

Frank R. Strayer

Runtime

66 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

In the Money is a traditional melodrama from the early sound era. It stands out by shifting the focus toward female characters like Lambie, who take charge of the family's financial crisis. However, the film remains confined by the era's casting and narrative norms. The emphasis on a homogeneous family unit and the use of disability as a plot device limit a more progressive interpretation. Ultimately, the film highlights individual perseverance and meritocratic solutions rather than systemic critiques of social hierarchies.

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Category Breakdown

Does In the Money have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or stories about non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth identities. It follows the traditional social norms of the early 1930s.

How does In the Money portray gender?

Fair

Lambie and Babs play key roles in driving the plot, offering some challenge to traditional gender roles. The story emphasizes the oldest daughter's role in managing the family's financial troubles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is In the Money?

Minimal

The story focuses on a single family unit without any indication of diverse casting. It reflects the homogeneous casting standards of its time.

How does In the Money represent religion and culture?

Limited

Economic struggles are highlighted as a catalyst for family strife, but there is no critique of capitalist structures. The plot relies on traditional formulas to resolve conflicts.

Does In the Money include disability representation?

Fair

Dick's paralysis is a central element of the plot, motivating the family's actions. While it provides visibility for the era, the disability mainly serves as a narrative tool.

Present on Screen

Female characters like Lambie and Babs are central to the plot.
The story includes visibility for physical disabilities through Dick's paralysis.
It challenges some traditional gender roles by emphasizing women's ability to drive the story.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks racial and ethnic diversity, sticking to homogeneous casting norms.
Disability is primarily used as a plot device rather than for character development.
There is no representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth characters.

Official Synopsis

When the chemical company owned by eccentric Professor Higginbottom files for bankruptcy, the formerly-affluent family loses its income. Levelheaded oldest daughter Lambie struggles to make ends meet but has trouble persuading her carefree, profligate siblings to cut down on their spending. Youngest brother Dick enters a motorcycle race to win $500, but crashes his bike on the speedway and is paralyzed. Shocked into reality by the tragedy, Lambie's younger sister Babs persuades ex-prizefighter Gunboat Bimms to enter the ring one last time in hopes of winning a purse that will pay for Dick's surgery.

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