Though not really a cult film, Million Dollar Legs seems to provoke differing reactions in audiences. Many find it entirely too silly or feel that the movie is nothing more than a string of comedy routines (some of them quite dated) loosely strung together or that Legs loses steam after a while by not staying focused on its initial premise. And some simply feel that this kind of anarchic comedy was simply done better by the Marx Brothers, most particularly in Duck Soup. But there are others who revel in Legs' freewheeling, come-what-may attitude, and it's hard to argue that the film is not infectious. Devotees dismiss the criticism of the film's lack of focus, believing that the incredible quantity and quality of laughs to be found in the film more than make up for structural failings. They also point to the hilarious contributions of Jack Oakie, W.C. Fields, Lyda Roberti, and Ben Turpin, and to the lightning-fast pacing that keeps this madcap little soufflé from deflating. Indeed, if one really gets into the spirit of Legs, it can be a curiously fascinating, almost surreal experience. Those who prefer their comedies straight up may not really enjoy the film, but those who like a film that really lets itself go will find that Legs has quite a kick to it.
