Ballard MacDonald
Writing
Known For

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.
Only Saps Work

Biographic movie about the American composer Sigmund Romberg.
Deep in My Heart

Casey and Babe are sisters who work in a department store and each year the store puts on a show. As expected, things are going wrong with every act until Casey comes out to help Babe with her song. They are a hit, but in the final act, Casey again comes out and this time the president sees her act and fires both her and Babe on the spot. Benny is able to book Casey, Babe and Dean into Vaudeville and their act is popular. But before they have their shot at stardom, Dean and Babe leave Casey and the act.
It's a Great Life
All at Sea is a 1933 American black and white film directed by E.H. Kleinert and written by Ballard MacDonald.
All at Sea

A grab-bag of singers and dancers, featuring New York-based performers such as Rae Samuels, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, The Four Mullen Sisters, and the team of Evans & Mayer. Dancers Pops & Louie (Albert Whitman and Louis Williams) are also along.