Make 'Em Laugh (The Funny Business of America)
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Featuring Shemp Howard (Solo)
98 min. (Feature Film)
In 1920s Coaltown, Charles "Pittsburgh" Markham (John Wayne) and John "Cash" Evans (Randolph Scott) are always looking for an angle to get out of the coal mines, but their money seems to wind up spent on women and whiskey. The boys meet Josie "Hunky" Winters (Marlene Dietrich), a former miner's daughter who made it into society. Markham falls for her and decides that he and Evans will also hit the bigtime. Coming up with a money-saving manufacturing plan for steel magnate Morgan Prentiss, Pittsurgh and Cash are soon managing the company. Cash's sentiments remain with the workers' and consumers' welfare. But greed and the power that comes with success drives Josie into Cash's arms, when Pittsburgh decides to marry Prentiss' daughter and force Prentiss off the Board of Directors. Markham's and Cash's friendship comes to an end, and Pittsburgh quickly finds that after he achieves everything, he has very little of true worth, and payback and the Depression are looming. But the start of World War II could bring the old friends together again.
Shemp Howard appears as Shorty, the Coaltown tailor. He receives featured costar billing, in a film that has perhaps the largest marquee value of his film career, but the majority of his role is restricted to the first two reels. He makes the most of his screentime with several opportunities for mugging and physical gags.
John Wayne
Charles 'Pittsburgh' Markham
Randolph Scott
John 'Cash' Evans
Marlene Dietrich
Josie 'Hunky' Winters
Frank Craven
Doc Powers
Shemp Howard
Shorty
Samuel S. Hinds
Morgan Prentiss
Louise Allbritton
Shannon Prentiss
Thomas Gomez
Joe Malnick
Ludwig Stossel
Dr. Grazlich
Eddie Hall
Photographer at rally
Jack Gargan
Officer at ceremony
William Haade
Johnny, miner
Harry Cording
Miner with Johnny
Robert Barron
Foreman
Charles Sherlock
Chauffeur
Broderick O'Farrell
Doorman
Douglas Fowley
Mort Frawley
Don Barclay
Drunk
Harry Seymour
Theater MC
Sammy Stein
Killer Kane
Frankie Van
Kane's attendant
Anthony Warde
Kane's attendant
Bob Perry
Referee
Bob Reeves
Fight spectator
Tom Steele
Brawler
Charles Hamilton
Brawler
Dale Van Sickel
Brawler
Ben Taggart
Police Sergeant
Ethan Laidlaw
Man outside theater
Bud Geary
Man outside theater
Jack C. Smith
Officer O'Toole
Grace Cunard
Miner's wife
Mira McKinney
Tilda
John Sheehan
Bill, injured miner
William Ruhl
Stretcher bearer
Virginia Sale
Mrs. Higgins
Nestor Paiva
Barney
John Dilson
Mr. Wilson
Lorin Raker
Mr. Milgraine
Alphonse Martell
Carlos
Edward Keane
Nightclub headwaiter
Larry McGrath
Speakeasy waiter
Edmund Mortimer
Mr. Simons
Irving Mitchell
Mr. Cheney
Winifred Harris
Wedding reception guest
Karen X. Gaylord
Wedding reception guest
Brooks Benedict
Mr. Cooper
Cyril Ring
Mr. Wilcox
Phil Warren
Mr. Drake
Bess Flowers
Party guest
Sayre Dearing
Dancer
Sam Harris
Scientist
Jack Chefe
Barber
Hal Craig
Mr. Carney
Nolan Leary
Mr. Smith
Wade Boteler
Mine superintendent
Ted Billings
Miner
Charles Sullivan
Miner
Paul Fix
Burnside, shaft operator
Paul McVey
Mr. Thornton
Ed Emerson
Reporter
Ray Walker
Wiseguy reporter
Kay Linaker
Secretary
Charles Arnt
Building laborer
Charles Coleman
Mike, butler
Victor Cox
Sign painter
Joe Kirk
Barney's employee
Jack Gardner
Defense plant hiring clerk
Frank Marlowe
Defense plant employee
William Gould
Mr. Burns
Johnny Marvin
Jones
Frances Morris
Cash's secretary
Gus Glassmire
Chemist
Hobart Cavanaugh
Derelict
Paul Scott
Doctor
Gil Perkins
stunts
Fred Graham
stunts
Eddie Parker
stunts
Lewis Seiler
Director
Charles K. Feldman
Executive Producer
Robert Fellows
Associate Producer
George Owen
Original Story
Tom Reed
Original Story and Screenplay
Kenneth Gamet
Screenplay
Paul Landres
Film Editor
Robert DeGrasse
Director of Photography
John B. Goodman
Art Director
Russell A. Gausman
Set Decorations
Ira S. Webb
Associate Set Decorator
Bernard B. Brown
Sound Director
Paul Neal
Sound Technician
Charles Previn
Musical Director
Hans J. Salter
Music
Samuel Lerner
Music
Frank Skinner
Music
Charles Previn
Music
Vera West
Gowns
Charles S. Gould
Assistant Director
John Twist
Additional Dialogue
Paul Fix
Dialogue Director
John P. Fulton
Special Photographic Effects
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