Down Memory Lane (1949)

This film is a compilation, with narration by Steve Allen, of comedies from the old Mack Sennett silent studio. Sennett, himself, appears in a cameo at the end of the film.

Director:

Phil Karlson

Writer:

Steve Allen (narration)

Stars:

Steve Allen, Bing Crosby, W.C. Fields

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Steve Allen	...	Himself
Bing Crosby	...	Character in Sennett Shorts (archive footage)
W.C. Fields	...	The dentist (archive footage)
Franklin Pangborn	...	Mr. Sennett's Representative / Gilbert Sinclair
Frank Nelson	...	Mr. Jefferds, Steve's boss
Ben Turpin	...	Poker player (archive footage)
Irving Bacon	...	Mr. Lake (archive footage)
Donald Novis	...	Danny, the singing boxer (archive footage)
Mack Sennett	...	Himself
James Finlayson	...	Target instructor (archive footage)
Marjorie Kane	...	Fields's Daughter / Crosby's Girlfriend / Novis's Girlfriend (archive footage)
Mabel Normand	...	Character in Sennett Shorts (archive footage)
Dorothy Granger	...	Dental patient (archive footage)
Yvonne Peattie	...	Miss Ryan
Bud Jamison	...	Frobisher / Policeman Holding Stakes (archive footage)

Storyline

With Steve Allen doing the weaving, four Mack Sennett shorts are woven together in this Sennett compilation; two are complete and the other two have only minor deletions. The shorts used were: "Sing, Bing, Sing" and "In the Blue of the Night", both starring Bing Crosby; "The Dentist" with W.C.Fields; and "The Singing Boxer" with Donald Novis. There were also ten songs, many that became hits (in their time) and one that later became Crosby's theme song.

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Plot Keywords:

compilation | song | singing | dentist | los angeles california | 

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Genres:

Comedy | History | Music

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 August 1949 (USA)

Also Known As:

No Tempo do Pastelão

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mack Sennett Comedies, Aubrey Schenck Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

70 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Edited from Sing, Bing, Sing (1933)

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Soundtracks

"One More Chance"
Sung by Bing Crosby

User Reviews

Great moments from Sennett pix, framed by clever Steve Allen footage

This is a clever compilation of old Mack Sennett comedies, and it boasts two "firsts." It's the first feature-length comedy compilation, and it features the first screen appearance (1949) of the late Steve Allen, then a popular late-night disc jockey. Allen (sans glasses) appears as himself, a disc jockey on a live TV broadcast showcasing Mack Sennett comedies. Everything goes wrong -- Sennett doesn't show up on time, the film jumps from silent to sound and back again, the live commercials go haywire, etc. The framing device effectively introduces Sennett's favorite clips with W. C. Fields, Bing Crosby, Ben Turpin, Donald Novis, and Mabel Normand. DOWN MEMORY LANE is infrequently shown today, but if it comes your way, don't let the opportunity escape.