Watch The Milky Way

The Milky Way is a classic comedy film from 1936, directed by Leo McCarey and starring Harold Lloyd, Adolphe Menjou, and Verree Teasdale. The film is loosely based on a play by Lynn Root and Harry Clork, and tells the story of a milkman named Burleigh Sullivan (Lloyd) who takes up professional boxing on a whim. The film opens with Burleigh delivering milk to a house where a group of wealthy men are discussing a boxing match. Burleigh, who is a jokester and tends to make up tall tales, ends up boasting that he could beat the current heavyweight champion of the world, just before the champion himself walks in. The men are amused by Burleigh's bravado, and the champion decides to take him up on his challenge.

Burleigh accidentally knocks out the champion, and suddenly finds himself thrown into the world of professional boxing. He is taken under the wing of an unscrupulous promoter named Gabby Sloan (Menjou), who sees Burleigh as a potential cash cow. Gabby arranges more fights for Burleigh, and teaches him how to throw fights for the sake of the betting odds.

As Burleigh's fame grows, he attracts the attention of a beautiful socialite named Ann Westley (Teasdale), who is initially put off by his rough appearance and lack of sophistication. However, as she begins to spend more time with him, she sees a vulnerable side to Burleigh and falls in love with him.

Meanwhile, Burleigh's antics in the boxing ring have attracted the attention of the mob, who want a piece of the action. After one particularly rigged fight, Burleigh finds himself on the run from the mob, with Gabby and Ann trying to help him escape.

The Milky Way is a classic Hollywood comedy that showcases the talents of its lead actor, Harold Lloyd. Known for his physical comedy and daring stunts, Lloyd is able to bring both humor and heart to his portrayal of the naïve milkman-turned-boxer. Adolphe Menjou is equally memorable as the slick, fast-talking promoter who takes advantage of Burleigh, while Verree Teasdale brings a touch of elegance and grace to her role as the socialite who falls for him.

The film also features several memorable boxing sequences, shot with a combination of real fighters and stuntmen. These are impressive for their time, and remain entertaining today for the way they blend humor and athleticism.

Aside from the physical comedy, the film also contains some commentary on the corrupt world of professional boxing and the ways in which the sport is rigged for the benefit of gamblers and promoters. This theme adds depth to the film and gives it a touch of social commentary that was rare for comedies of the era.

Overall, The Milky Way is a charming and entertaining comedy that showcases the talents of its cast and director. While it may feel dated at times, it remains a classic example of Hollywood's golden age of comedy.

The Milky Way is a 1936 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.