Hi Diddle Diddle (1943)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Andrew L. Stone

Writers:

Edmund L. Hartmann (writer)
Frederick J. Jackson (screenplay)

Release Date:

2 August 1943 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

When the bride's mother is supposedly swindled out of her money by a spurned suitor, the groom's father...

Plot Keywords:

Senator | Screwball | Animated Sequence

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Adolphe Menjou	...	Col. Hector Phyffe
Martha Scott	...	Janie Prescott Phyffe
Pola Negri	...	Genya Smetana
Dennis O'Keefe	...	Sonny Phyffe
Billie Burke	...	Liza Prescott
Walter Kingsford	...	Senator Jummy Simpson
Barton Hepburn	...	Peter Warrington III
Georges Metaxa	...	Tony Spinelli
Eddie Marr	...	Michael Angelo, Croupier
Paul Porcasi	...	Impressario
Bert Roach	...	Husband, Taxi Cab Bit
Chick Chandler	...	Saunders, Hector's Chauffeur
Lorraine Miller	...	Director's Friend
Marek Windheim	...	Pianist
Richard Hageman	...	Boughton

Also Known As:

Diamonds and Crime (USA) (reissue title)
Try and Find It

Runtime:

72 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Certification:

Sweden:15 | USA:Approved

Company:

Andrew L. Stone Productions

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: When the four kids are spying on the giant ant one of them says, "I say, that ant is ours" and then runs forward. However, his voice is very clearly dubbed in.

Quotes:

Col. Hector Phyffe: [seeing his wife appear unexpectedly as he is kissing another woman] My wife! Stand by to render first aid!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Soundtrack:

I LOVED YOU TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE

Crackerjack Saucy Screwball Comedy

HI DIDDLE DIDDLE is one of those pictures that, because it has fallen into public domain, is almost always seen in dreadful dupe prints. Well, don't let that dissuade you from seeing this picture. It is one of the fastest-paced, downright hilarious comedies of the early 40's. The combination of sharp dialogue and impeccable characterizations make this a real winner. Here is Dennis O'Keefe at his farceur best. He's a sailor-on-leave-bridegroom who spends his wedding night doing everything EXCEPT what he's supposed to be doing. Adolph Menjou is his pop, a conniver (not Connover this time!) who pledges to help Dennis' mom-in-law, dizzy Billie Burke, regain her fortune. Menjou is married to Pola Negri, a domineering Wagnerian opera singer. June Havoc is a lady friend of Menjou's and is she hot! They're all a riot. One of my favorite bits is when waiter Joe Devlin, taking Billie's order at a night club, does a double take and walks away. Billie exclaims - "He did a double take - just like in the movies!" Then Billie, Martha Scott (the bride), Walter Kingsford and Barton Hepburn all proceed to practice doing double takes. Devlin gets a gander at this and does - A DOUBLE TAKE! A wonderful musical moment is June Havoc singing alongside herself in a Panaogram Soundie machine. Composer Richard Hageman, who also appears in director Andrew Stone's SENSATIONS OF 1945, does a very wry bit as a brokerage firm president.

If you need a laugh - see HI DIDDLE DIDDLE by any and all means!