Hook, Line and Sinker is a 1930 American pre-Code slapstick comedy directed by Edward F. Cline from a screenplay by Ralph Spence and Tim Whelan. It was the third starring vehicle for the comedy team of Wheeler & Woolsey (Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey), and also featured Dorothy Lee. It would be one of the largest financial successes for RKO Pictures in 1930. Plot Two fast-talking insurance salesmen — Wilbur Boswell and J. Addington Ganzy — help penniless socialite Mary Marsh to turn a dilapidated hotel, which was willed to her, into a thriving success. They soon run into trouble, however, in the form of two sets of rival gangsters who want to break into the hotel safe; also, Mary's mother, Rebecca Marsh, wants her to marry wealthy lawyer John Blackwell, although Mary has fallen in love with Wilbur. And while she takes an instant dislike to Wilbur, Rebecca falls for Ganzy. Adding to the complications is the fact that Blackwell is actually in league with the gangsters. The finale involves nighttime runarounds and a shoot-out in the hotel. During the pitched battle between the rival gangs and the police, Boswell and Ganzy save the jewels, after which Ganzy marries Rebecca, and then gives away Mary at her marriage to Wilbur. Cast Bert Wheeler as Wilbur Boswell Robert Woolsey as Addington Ganzy Dorothy Lee as Mary Marsh Jobyna Howland as Rebecca Marsh Ralf Harolde as John Blackwell (Buffalo Blackie) William B. Davidson as Frank Dukette (Duke of Winchester) Natalie Moorhead as Duchess Bessie Von Essie George F. Marion as Ritz De La Rivera Bellboy Hugh Herbert as Hotel House Detective Stanley Fields as McKay (Cast list as per AFI database) Reception The film made a profit of $225,000, and would be one of the top two money earners for RKO Radio Pictures in 1930. Notes In 1958, the film entered the public domain in the United States because the claimants did not renew its copyright registration in the 28th year after publication. References External links 1930 films 1930 romantic comedy films American romantic comedy films American black-and-white films 1930s English-language films Films set in hotels Films directed by Edward F. Cline RKO Pictures films 1930s American films