AllMovie

Though Republic Pictures had discontinued its "Higgins Family" series in 1940, the studio continued filming its stray "Higgins" scripts under new titles. In The Gay Vagabond, Roscoe Karns plays the "Pa Higgins" counterpart, a henpecked small-towner named Arthur Dixon. Karns also doubles up as Dixon's carefree, globetrotting twin brother Jerry. Inevitably, the two brothers' identities become confused when prodigal son Jerry returns home after a mysterious adventure in China. By being mistaken for Jerry, milquetoast Arthur is finally permitted to shed his inhibitions and assume his "proper" place as master of his domicile. Matching Roscoe Karns' performance laugh for laugh are Ruth Donnelly as Mrs. Dixon and such reliable supporting players as Ernest Truex and Margaret Hamilton.