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Zenobia (1939)

 -  Comedy  -  21 April 1939 (USA)
6.0
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Ratings: 6.0/10 from 305 users  
Reviews: 16 user | 1 critic

A modest country doctor in the antebellum South has to contend with his daughter's upcoming marriage and an affectionate medicine show elephant.

Director:

Writers:

(original story), (screen play), 3 more credits »
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Title: Zenobia (1939)

Zenobia (1939) on IMDb 6/10

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
Dr. Henry Tibbett
Harry Langdon ...
Professor McCrackle
...
Mrs. Tibbett
Alice Brady ...
Mrs. Carter
James Ellison ...
Jeff Carter
...
Mary Tibbett
June Lang ...
Virginia
Olin Howland ...
Attorney Culpepper
J. Farrell MacDonald ...
Judge
Stepin Fetchit ...
Zero (as Step'n Fetchit)
...
Dehlia (as Hattie McDaniels)
Philip Hurlic ...
Zeke (as Phillip Hurlic)
Hobart Cavanaugh ...
Mr. Dover
Clem Bevans ...
Sheriff
Tommy Mack ...
Butcher
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Storyline

A southern country doctor is called on by a visiting circus man to cure his sick elephant. After the doctor heals the grateful beast, the elephant becomes so attached to him that it starts to follow him everywhere. Written by Daniel Bubbeo <dbubbeo@cmp.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Genres:

Comedy

Certificate:

Approved | See all certifications »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

21 April 1939 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

It's Spring Again  »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

This film was originally developed as a Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy vehicle, but was re-scripted after Stan Laurel, whose contract with Hal Roach had run out, declined to re-sign with the producer. Hardy's contract was still in force, and the team believed that if they waited until it expired, they could re-sign as a team and be in a stronger bargaining position. Ultimately that is what happened. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Of Mice and Men (1939) See more »

Soundtracks

"I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls"
(1843) (uncredited)
From the operetta "The Bohemian Girl"
Music by Michael William Balfe
Lyrics by Alfred Bunn
Sung by Oliver Hardy and Billie Burke with Burke on piano
See more »

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User Reviews

 
An amiable time-passer
8 October 2006 | by (Bradenton, Florida) – See all my reviews

While this certainly isn't a great movie and is in many ways pretty forgettable, it is a decent time-passer and worth seeing from a historic sense. This is the only film that Oliver Hardy starred in without Stan Laurel since they became a team in the late 1920s. However, when Laurel's contract expired he refuses to re-sign as he and Hardy (who was still under contract) wanted to explore other career options other than to continue with Hal Roach Studios. So, Roach decided to try pairing Hardy with a new partner--hoping he and Hardy would catch on and Hardy would soon re-sign with the studio.

However, the film lacks the balance of a true Laural and Hardy film, as Hardy is definitely in the leading role. And, fortunately, Hardy does a pretty good job as the kindly doctor who is befriended by an elephant and he's able to carry this amiable film. Additionally, the movie is very interesting because in a supporting role (one that could have been played by Stan Laurel) was the silent film comedian, Harry Langdon. As there are few of his films still in existence, this is one of the rare chances you'll get to see,...as well as hear him. The story itself is pretty silly but handled so well, you probably will forgive this.

Despite being a story about an Elephant that falls in love with Hardy, about the only thing you may not like about the film is Stepin Fetchit--the horribly stereotyped Black actor who made a career out of playing some who is dumb and lazy. It's quite a contrast to the role played by Philip Hurlic as 'Zeke'--a smart, precocious and cute Black child. At least there were contrasts, as most of Fetchit's earlier roles provided nothing to balance the negative image.


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