International House

Released May 27, 1933

1h 10m

Comedy

List

83%

Tomatometer

6 Reviews

70%

Audience Score

100+ Ratings

The International House hotel in Wuhu, China, is hosting the debut of Dr. Wong's latest invention: a television-like device he calls a "radioscope." From around the world, agents and collectors, including Professor Henry Quail (W.C. Fields), arrive to purchase the rights to the invention--or perhaps steal it. Elsewhere in the hotel, a young man is due to wed his blushing bride, if only he can stop falling ill. When the groom breaks out in a rash, the hotel guests are quarantined together.

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NYT Staff

New York Times

Measured in laughs, this potpourri of unrelated talents is surprisingly good.

May 6, 2008

Full Review

Tom Charity

Time Out

A bizarre, juicy comedy.

Jun 24, 2006

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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: 3/5

Sep 17, 2004

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Pare Lorentz

Vanity Fair

International House is neither fish, nor fowl, nor funny.

Jun 4, 2019

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

There's more misses than hits in this vaudeville-like herky-jerky second-rate project.

Rated: B-

Jun 8, 2007

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Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Fields! Burns and Allen! Lugosi! Cab Calloway! The cast is what makes this silly musical-comedy a joy to behold.

Rated: 4.5/5

May 30, 2004

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georgan g

Besides getting to watch more of W. C. Fields, this film gives the opportunity for lots of other comedians to show their stuff. Truly funny!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

One of the better madcap 1930s review-type comedies. A top-notch cast some very enjoyable & funny musical numbers & comedy routines. Also some very good, risque pre-code jokes. If you enjoy 1930s humor, don't miss this!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The best comedy movie ever made!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

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Audience Member

Fields steals the show, bizarre, funny, catchy music. Shots on gays, sex, pre censorship, love this movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

Full Review

Audience Member

WC 's first talking pic when he's gone u wish he was back on screen.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

Rapid-fire comedy (W.C. Fields, Burns & Allen) with musical interludes (Cab Calloway performs "Reefer Man.)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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A. Edward Sutherland

Director

W.C. Fields

Prof. Henry R. Quail

George Burns

Doctor Burns

Gracie Allen

Nurse Allen

Neil Brant

Writer

Walter DeLeon

Writer

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Synopsis

The International House hotel in Wuhu, China, is hosting the debut of Dr. Wong's latest invention: a television-like device he calls a "radioscope." From around the world, agents and collectors, including Professor Henry Quail (W.C. Fields), arrive to purchase the rights to the invention--or perhaps steal it. Elsewhere in the hotel, a young man is due to wed his blushing bride, if only he can stop falling ill. When the groom breaks out in a rash, the hotel guests are quarantined together.

Director: A. Edward Sutherland
Producer: Emanuel Cohen
Screenwriter: Neil Brant, Walter DeLeon, Louis E. Heifetz, Francis Martin
Distributor: Paramount Pictures, MCA/Universal Pictures [us]
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 27, 1933, Original
Release Date (DVD): Nov 9, 2004
Runtime: 1h 10m