Jitterbugs (1943)

The boys team up with a likable con man to help a pretty singer's mother who's been taken in by swindlers.

Director:

Malcolm St. Clair

Writer:

Scott Darling (screen play)

Stars:

Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Vivian Blaine

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Stan Laurel	...	Stan
Oliver Hardy	...	Ollie
Vivian Blaine	...	Susan Cowan
Robert Bailey	...	Chester Wright (as Bob Bailey)
Douglas Fowley	...	Malcolm Bennett
Noel Madison	...	Tony Queen
Lee Patrick	...	Dorcas
Robert Emmett Keane	...	Henry Corcoran

Storyline

The two-man Laurel and Hardy Zoot Suit Band find themselves fronting a scam for "gasolene pills" in wartime oil-short America. They are however soon on the side of the angels helping recover $10,000 for an attractive young lady whose family have themselves been swindled.

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Plot Keywords:

zoot suit | singer | con man | orchestra | revolving door | 

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Taglines:

This is that movie about those people.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 June 1943 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bucha e Estica, Músicos de Jazz

Filming Locations:

Palmdale, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$310,600 (estimated)

Gross:

$1,100,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

75 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Oliver Hardy, who uncharacteristically has solo scenes without partner Stan Laurel, rated this film as one of his five favorites.

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Goofs

When Oliver Hardy is disguised as the Southern colonel he hands a prop to juvenile lead Bob Bailey and says, "Here, Bob." However, Bailey's character is named Chester Wright.

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Quotes

Oliver: Well, here's another fine mess you've gotten me into!

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Connections

Referenced in Hollywood Mouth 2 (2013)

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Soundtracks

"If the Shoe Fits, Wear It"
(1943)
Music by Lew Pollack
Lyrics by Charles Newman
Sung by Vivian Blaine (uncredited)

User Reviews

Fraud

I admit that I find Laurel and Hardy tiresome. If you do too, you might find some relief in this rather unusual project.

The "boys" as a two man jazz band. As the foils in a scheme to bilk people using "gas pills," (some of which are still legally sold to suckers today in the US).

And third in elaborate disguises to bilk another group of con men out of their unearned rewards. Its this last where the payoff is: two by now tired old men playing their scampy characters, playing film stereotypes: a Texas oilman and a rich spinster.

Its not a memorable film experience, but it is likely the best I know of them other than what I think is one of their first film appearances as inmates of an asylum in "Call of the Cuckoo." Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.