Only Saps Work
1930, English. Directed by Cyril Gardner & Edwin H. Knopf.
You Just Know It's Funny!
Rubber-legged comedian Leon Errol made his talkie starring bow in Paramount's Only Saps Work. Based on a play by Owen Davis Sr., the film casts Errol as James Wilson, a kleptomaniac who starts with picking pockets and ends up robbing a bank. Wilson's friend Lawrence Payne (Richard Arlen) inadvertently aids our hero during one of his heists, ending up in deep doo-doo with the law. Before Wilson is able to extricate Payne from his dilemma for the sake of heroine Barbara Tanner (Mary Brian), he pauses long enough to pose as a private eye -- and even gives bellboy Oscar (Stu Erwin) tips on how to spot a crook! If only all of Leon Errol's feature films had been as consistently hilarious as Only Saps Work.
- Runtime
- 1h 17m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- English
- Rated
- Check local
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Where to watch Only Saps Work
Only Saps Work isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 5 December 1930.
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Cast & crew
- Cyril GardnerDirector
- Edwin H. KnopfDirector
- Leon ErrolJames Wilson
- Richard ArlenLarry Payne
- Mary BrianBarbara Tanner
- Stuart ErwinOscar
- Anderson LawlerHorace Baldwin
- Charley GrapewinSimeon Tanner
- Clarence BurtonSergeant Burns (uncredited)
- Nora CecilMrs. Partridge (uncredited)
- George ChandlerElevator Operator (uncredited)
- G. Pat CollinsRafferty (uncredited)
- Clifford DempseyDetective Smith (uncredited)
- Charles GiblynDr. Jasper (uncredited)
Details
- Released
- 5 December 1930
- Country
- United States of America
- Written by
- Sam Mintz, Percy Heath, Joseph L. Mankiewicz
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News & fan talk
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Only Saps Work: quick answers
Is Only Saps Work worth watching?
Only Saps Work doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How long is Only Saps Work?
Only Saps Work runs 77 minutes (1h 17m).
Does Only Saps Work have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for Only Saps Work. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
Only Saps Work parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for Only Saps Work yet.
Which OTT platform is Only Saps Work on?
Only Saps Work isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 5 December 1930. (Checked 31 October 2026.)
What movies are like Only Saps Work?
If you liked Only Saps Work, try The Ladykillers, Oscar, Bandits.
Who directed Only Saps Work?
Only Saps Work (1930) was directed by Cyril Gardner and Edwin H. Knopf and stars Leon Errol, Richard Arlen, Mary Brian.