Penny Singleton (Blondie), Arthur Lake (Dagwood), Larry Simms (Baby Dumpling), Danny Mummert (Alvin Fuddle), Jonathan Hale (J. C. Dithers), Robert Middlemass (Abner Cartwright), Olin Howland (book agent), Fay Helm (Mrs Fuddle), Peggy Ann Garner (Melinda Mason), Roy Gordon (Mason), Grace Stafford (Miss White), Helen Jerome Eddy (school principal), Irving Bacon (mailman), Robert Sterling (salesman), Ian Wolfe (police judge), Bruce Bennett (Johnson, the chauffeur), Selmer Jackson (Tom), and "Daisy".
Director: FRANK R. STRAYER. Screenplay: Gladys Lehman, Richard Flournoy. Story: Robert Chapin, Karen DeWolf, Richard Flournoy. Based on characters created by Chic Young. Photography: Henry Freulich. Film editor: Otto Meyer. Art director: Lionel Banks. Gowns designed by Kalloch. Music director: Morris W. Stoloff. Producer: Robert Sparks.
Copyright 9 November 1939 by Columbia Pictures Corp. No recorded New York opening. U.S. release: 9 November 1939. Australian release: 22 February 1940. 7 reels. 6,212 feet. 69 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: Baby Dumpling starts school.
NOTES: Number 4 of the 28-picture series.
COMMENT: The fourth of the series. The budget is as expansive as "Blondie Takes a Vacation" and once again there is a stronger plot than in the first two films. As a matter of fact, there are actually two plots which are rather neatly dovetailed at the conclusion by screenwriters Gladys Lehman and Richard Flournoy.
Jonathan Hale gives a much more vivid impersonation of Dithers than he did in the first two films. Strayer's direction rates as consistently capable. The film's tear-jerking conclusion, with music director M.W. Stoloff playing "Silent Night" over the action, actually works rather well.
Director: FRANK R. STRAYER. Screenplay: Gladys Lehman, Richard Flournoy. Story: Robert Chapin, Karen DeWolf, Richard Flournoy. Based on characters created by Chic Young. Photography: Henry Freulich. Film editor: Otto Meyer. Art director: Lionel Banks. Gowns designed by Kalloch. Music director: Morris W. Stoloff. Producer: Robert Sparks.
Copyright 9 November 1939 by Columbia Pictures Corp. No recorded New York opening. U.S. release: 9 November 1939. Australian release: 22 February 1940. 7 reels. 6,212 feet. 69 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: Baby Dumpling starts school.
NOTES: Number 4 of the 28-picture series.
COMMENT: The fourth of the series. The budget is as expansive as "Blondie Takes a Vacation" and once again there is a stronger plot than in the first two films. As a matter of fact, there are actually two plots which are rather neatly dovetailed at the conclusion by screenwriters Gladys Lehman and Richard Flournoy.
Jonathan Hale gives a much more vivid impersonation of Dithers than he did in the first two films. Strayer's direction rates as consistently capable. The film's tear-jerking conclusion, with music director M.W. Stoloff playing "Silent Night" over the action, actually works rather well.