Hoi Polloi (1935): Cast, Plot & Where to Watch
Hoi Polloi is a 1935 short comedy directed by Del Lord, starring Harry Holman as Prof. Richmond (uncredited), Robert Graves and Larry Fine. It runs 19 minutes. Stream it on Cineverse.
- Released
- Runtime
- 19 min
- Director
- Del Lord
- Genre
- Comedy
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Columbia Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Hoi Polloi About?
The premise of Hoi Polloi without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A professor wagers he can turn two uncouth stooges into proper gentlemen. He puts them through strict etiquette lessons and brings them to an upscale society soirée. Their polished manners quickly dissolve as the party spirals into chaos, and the other guests adopt their slapstick behavior. In the end, the stooges, now genuine gentlemen, depart.
Hoi Polloi Themes & Keywords
· 34 tags- slapstick comedy
- slipping and falling
- professor
- pygmalion
- etiquette
- bet
- top hat
- smack upside the head
- toupee
- slapped in the face
- champagne
- stealing silverware
+22 more Show fewer
- sprayed with water
- tuxedo
- jumping out a window
- learning to read
- ballroom dancing
- clothes falling off
- wager
- tin can
- table manners
- spring
- rubbish
- reception
- punch bowl
- garbageman
- garbage truck
- environment vs. heredity
- dump truck
- dance lesson
- bee
- role reversal
- the three stooges
- teaching
Where to Watch Hoi Polloi
Stream it on Cineverse. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 1
Cineverse Streaming availability in the US, powered by 
Hoi Polloi Cast & Characters
Harry Holman leads the cast as Prof. Richmond (uncredited), with Robert Graves as Prof. Nichols (uncredited) and Larry Fine as Larry. Directed by Del Lord; 11 actors are credited in all.
- Director Del Lord
- Harry Holman as Prof. Richmond (uncredited)
- Robert Graves as Prof. Nichols (uncredited)
- Larry Fine as Larry
- Moe Howard as Moe
Also Starring in Hoi Polloi
· 7 more- Curly Howard Curly
- Poppy Wilde Woman with Cigar Smoker (uncredited)
- Gino Corrado Maître d' (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Bud Jamison Butler (uncredited)
- Jack 'Tiny' Lipson Party Guest (uncredited)
- Phyllis Crane Nichols' Daughter (uncredited)
- Mary Dees Party Guest (uncredited)
Hoi Polloi Plot Summary
What happens in Hoi Polloi from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Drawing from George Bernard Shaw’s 1913 play Pygmalion, this film reimagines the wager between two professors and plunges it into the comic grind of early-1930s life. Professor Harry Holman as Prof. Richmond argues that social behavior is largely shaped by environment rather than inherent traits, while his colleague, Robert Graves as Prof. Nichols, contends that heredity sets the boundaries of how people behave. To settle the dispute, Richmond bets that he can transform someone from the lowest strata into a true gentleman within three months through patient training and exposure to refined surroundings. Nichols accepts, but on one condition: Richmond must refine three individuals, turning theory into a live, high-stakes experiment.
Full summary
The whole story of Hoi Polloi, scene by scene
Cars in Hoi Polloi
2 cars on screen: the 1926 Fageol and the 1930 Lincoln Model L.
-
1926 Fageol Minor role -
1930 Lincoln Model L Minor role
Seen Hoi Polloi?
Movies Like Hoi Polloi
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Half-Wits Holiday, How to Behave and Vagabond Loafers.
Hoi Polloi FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch and post-credit scenes of Hoi Polloi, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Hoi Polloi?
Hoi Polloi runs 19 minutes.
When was Hoi Polloi released?
Hoi Polloi was released on August 29, 1935.
Who directed Hoi Polloi?
Hoi Polloi was directed by Del Lord.
More films by Del Lord Who is in the cast of Hoi Polloi?
Hoi Polloi stars Harry Holman as Prof. Richmond (uncredited), Robert Graves as Prof. Nichols (uncredited) and Larry Fine as Larry, among 11 credited actors.
Where can I watch Hoi Polloi?
In the US, Hoi Polloi is streaming on Cineverse (availability from JustWatch).
Does Hoi Polloi have a post-credit scene?
No. Hoi Polloi has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
