Make 'Em Laugh (The Funny Business of America)
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Released June 27, 1941
Featuring Shemp Howard (Solo)
Featuring Shemp Howard (Solo)
Universal
61 min. (Feature Film)
61 min. (Feature Film)
The Dead End Kids / Little Tough Guys (Billy Halop, Huntz Hall, Gabe Dell and Bernard Punsly) are paroled from an orphanage for delinquents, into the wardship of James J. Ryan. Joining them is tagalong Pesky, an orphaned youngster. Mr. Ryan was once 'Valentine,' a mobster whose gang included the Tough Guys' fathers, killed by rival gangster Spike (aka "The Butcher") during a botched job. Ryan served his time, went straight, married well to a horse breeder's daughter, and became a millionaire. Spike kept an eye on Ryan over the years, and when he sees the Dead End Kids paroled in his care, decides the time is right to make some money at the Ryan family's expense. Mrs. Ryan's pet project is a trade school for orphans, and Spike cons the boys in a plan to steal the school's funds from Col. Smith, James' father-in-law.
Shemp Howard and John Harmon costar as Spike's henchman. Although Shemp plays his role comically, his "Dingbat" is basically an unsympathetic role, willing to commit robbery, kidnapping and murder on Spike's orders. Once again, Shemp plays a mute character who communicates by comic pantomime... but this time, he is rewarded with one line of dialogue at the end of the film.
Avg. Rating: 
[7.50/10]
[7.50/10]
Billy Halop
Tom
Huntz Hall
Pig
Gabe Dell
String
Bobs Watson
Pesky
Eily Malyon
Cathy Crookshank
Barton MacLane
James J. Ryan
Gladys George
Molly Ryan
Evelyn Ankers
Patience Ryan
Charles Lang
Paul 'Revere' Smith
Walter Kingsford
Col. Smith
Edward Pawley
Spike
Shemp Howard
Dingbat
John Harmon
Creeper
Jess Lee Brooks
Rufus
Charles R. Moore
Martin
Hal E. Chester
Trusty
Ernie Stanton
O'Brien, 1st guard
Lee Moore
Morgan, 2nd guard
Kernan Cripps
Guard
Charles Sullivan
Chauffeur
Joe May
Director
Ken Goldsmith
Producer
Robert Lee Johnson
Story and Screenplay
Brenda Weisberg
Screenplay
Jerome Ash
Director of Photography
Bernard W. Burton
Film Editor
Jack Otterson
Art Director
Harold MacArthur
Associate Art Director
Russell A. Gausman
Set Decoration
Bernard B. Brown
Sound Director
William Hedgcock
Sound Technician
Hans J. Salter
Musical Director
Vera West
Gowns
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