Blondie (1938)

In this first of the Blondie series, Dagwood loses his job on the eve of his and Blondie's fifth wedding anniversary.

Director:

Frank R. Strayer

Writers:

Richard Flournoy (screen play), Chic Young (based upon the comic strip created by)

Stars:

Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake, Larry Simms

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Penny Singleton	...	Blondie
Arthur Lake	...	Dagwood
Larry Simms	...	Baby Dumpling
Daisy	...	Daisy
Ann Doran	...	Elsie Hazlip
Dorothy Moore	...	Dorothy
Gene Lockhart	...	C.P. Hazlip
Jonathan Hale	...	J.C. Dithers
Gordon Oliver	...	Chester Franey
Danny Mummert	...	Alvin Fuddle
Kathleen Lockhart	...	Mrs. Miller
Willie Best	...	Porter
Ian Wolfe	...	Judge
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Hal K. Dawson	...	Eddie (scenes deleted)
Chuck Hamilton	...	Policeman (scenes deleted)

Storyline

Blondie and Dagwood are about to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary but this happy occasion is marred when the bumbling Dagwood gets himself involved in a scheme that is promising financial ruin for the Bumstead family. Camping on the porch of the Poor House would become the most-used prevalent plot line in the 27 series-films that followed. It was also an issue in the comic-strip for about a year after its inception when it was basically a continuity strip but, aside from Dagwood's inability to coax a pay-raise from Mr. Dithers over the years, the financial status of the family was seldom an issue when the format switched to a gag-a-day strip.

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Plot Keywords:

wedding anniversary | police | jealousy | secretary | employer employee relationship | 

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Taglines:

Out of the "Funnies"... Straight into Your Heart!

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Genres:

Comedy | Family

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 November 1938 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Família Blondie

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

70 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The movie underwent several changes in cast and crew. Aurania Rouverol (of the Andy Hardy series) was signed to adapt the comic strip, with Gloria Blondell to star and 'Sam Marx (I)' to produce. Then 'Stuart Erwin (I)' and Una Merkel were to star in the film. Finally, Shirley Deane was cast as Blondie, but was replaced by Penny Singleton (who bleached her hair blonde for the role) when she became ill.

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Connections

Followed by Footlight Glamour (1943)

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Soundtracks

"One Night of Love"
(1934) (uncredited)
Music by Victor Schertzinger

User Reviews

Great casting; very entertaining.

Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake epitomize the Blondie and Dagwood comic strip characters. Child actors Larry Simms and Danny Mummert are delightful as Baby Dumpling and Alvin Fuddle especially considering how young they were. Daisy the dog was well-trained. The movie is entertaining and well worth watching.