Behind the Eight Ball (1942)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Edward F. Cline

Writers:

Stanley Roberts (story)
Stanley Roberts (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

4 December 1942 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical | Mystery | Romance

Tagline:

Buy a share in Victory...Invest here in War Bonds and Stamps.

Plot:

The members of a summer theater group get mixed up with spies and murder. |

Plot Keywords:

Theater | Murder | Trio | Detective | Slapstick

Cast

Al Ritz	...	Al Jester
Jimmy Ritz	...	Jimmy Jester
Harry Ritz	...	Harry Jester
Carol Bruce	...	Joan Barry
Dick Foran	...	Bill Edwards
Grace McDonald	...	Babs
Johnny Downs	...	Danny
William Demarest	...	McKenzie
Richard Davies	...	Clay Martin
Russell Hicks	...	Harry B. Kemp
Vinton Hayworth	...	Bobby Leonard (as Jack Arnold)
Sonny Dunham	...	Orchestra Leader (as Sonny Durham and His Orchestra)

Also Known As:

Off the Beaten Track

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Approved | USA:Passed (National Board of Review)

Company:

Universal Pictures

Quotes:

[When The Jolly Jesters learn that the performers they are replacing were murdered during the previous night's performance they bolt town]
Jolly Jester: Imagine them calling the show "Fun for All".
Jolly Jester: I'm glad we got out of there before they called it "Three Men in a Hearse".

Soundtrack:

Mr. Five by Five

Ritz Brothers Unshackled

Hey, finally the Ritz boys put to good use. Actual characters rather than just a backdrop for a boring love story. The Three Jolly Jesters are brought in after two killings two nights in a row at a theater in the Berkshires. They are the only ones pathetic enough to take the job replacing the dead acts. As plots go, this one is entirely idiotic. William Demarest is his usual loud and angry self, and the degree to which he puts the Ritz Boys and others in the show in harm's way in order to solve his crime is a bit offensive. Yes, it's a wacky comedy, but this plot point could have been less moronic. Plot aside, the Ritz boys get a good deal of screen time, clowning as well as singing/hoofing. They do a number saluting Charles Atlas and one mocking Ted Lewis. They get good lines and bits, including one meta-gag where they actually refer to the Ritz Brothers. Good, loud big band music all around.

Al and Jimmy, who are normally just window dressing to Harry, actually stand out a bit with their own lines. Still can't tell the two apart, but oh well. Bottom line for fans: This movie, while brief and nonsensical gives you more Ritz Brothers for your money than any film I've yet seen. I'd put it next to Kentucky Moonshine as one of their best.