# Romance in Manhattan

Romance in Manhattan is a 1935 American romantic comedy film directed by Stephen Roberts, starring Francis Lederer and Ginger Rogers, and released by RKO Radio Pictures.

## Plot

Karel Novak (Lederer), an incredibly naive Czech immigrant, arrives in New York with $58 (thinking he only needed $50 to enter the U.S.). Immigration officials now tell him he must have $200 or be sent back. Novak jumps from the deportation ship and is rescued by dock workers, but he loses his money. He wanders the streets and into a theatre where he eats food left by chorus girls. One of the girls, Sylvia Dennis (Rogers) questions him. He refuses money but wants a job. Sylvia tells him to come by her apartment, as her brother may be able to help him. At Sylvia's, two women suggest an institution for Sylvia's little brother Frank (Jimmy Butler), because he missed two days of school. Sylvia says no. When Karel arrives, he and Frank (who works as a newsboy) make a deal for Karel to work in the day (so Frank can go to school), with Frank taking over in the afternoons. Sylvia gives Karel blankets to sleep on the roof, and she explains about the Depression. Sylvia, Frank, and Karel go out to eat and are approached by a dock worker who recognizes Karel. Karel is afraid of being labeled an illegal, so he denies he was fished out of the river. The dock worker merely wanted to return Karel's $58. Due to his denials, he does not get his $58 back. He asks the police officer Murphy (J. Farrell MacDonald) if someone could get in trouble for helping someone if they didn't know he was an illegal alien.
Karel gets a job as a cabbie and shows Sylvia his taxi. She tells him her show has closed, so she is now unemployed. He is glad to be the head of the house for his friend. When the cabbies go on strike, Karel comes home early and helps Sylvia with the washing. She says she hopes to marry a rich man; but he kisses her. The two women from the state ask the landlady if Novak is living in Sylvia's apartment. Sylvia is forced to go to court to try to keep Frank with her. Sylvia tells the judge she is 22, but he (Oscar Apfel) says she is 19 and asks about Novak. Karel explains that the situation is innocent. The judge says Sylvia must give up Frank to an institution until she is married.
Frank packs his things to move out; Karel walks out, and Sylvia cries. Karel goes to Murphy and asks how to get married. Murphy says he only needs $2 and maybe his naturalization papers. So Karel goes to attorney Halsey J. Pander (Arthur Hohl), who asks for $50 and promises to make him a citizen right away. Karel goes back to drive a taxi even though he gets beaten up for being a scab. Sylvia tells Karel that she and Frank are running away rather than be separated. Karel asks her to marry him. Sylvia says no but changes her mind. A man comes to take Frank. Karel tells Sylvia he is in the country illegally but expects to be made a citizen. Karel is arrested, as Pander is turning him in for bounty. Murphy intervenes, and the police sergeant (Sidney Toler) makes calls to arrange a marriage license and to hire a minister (Donald Meek). Murphy arrests Pander for speeding and calls a friend in the Immigration Office. At the police station, Pander's arraignment for drunk driving (and assorted other made-up offenses), the over-the-phone immigration paperwork, filling out the marriage license, and a doctor's physical examination and vaccination of Karel, and the wedding itself, all take place simultaneously, with comic pauses and interruptions. The ceremony is at last completed, and Karel and Sylvia are married.

## Cast

* Francis Lederer as Karel Novak
* Ginger Rogers as Sylvia Dennis
* Arthur Hohl as Halsey J. Pander
* Jimmy Butler as Frank Dennis
* J. Farrell MacDonald as Officer Murphy
* Helen Ware as Miss Anthrop
* Eily Malyon as Miss Evans
* Lillian Harmer as Mrs. Schultz, the landlady
* Donald Meek as the minister
* Sidney Toler as Sergeant Duffy
* Oscar Apfel as the judge
* Reginald Barlow as the Chief Customs Inspector