Make 'Em Laugh (The Funny Business of America)
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Featuring Shemp Howard (Solo)
63.5 min. (Feature Film)
California cattle rancher Buck Benson's grazing land is squeezed by the local lettuce farmers, but he still comes to their aid, and heads for New York City when their shipments to Mr. Calhoun's wholesale business are hijacked and burnt by racketeers. The New York produce racket is controlled by rival wholesaler Bert Lohman, whose secret partner is Calhoun's lawyer Eric Ward. Helen Calhoun falls for Buck, adding jealous revenge to Ward's plan to control the organization.
Shemp plays a warehouseman for Calhoun, and part-time manager of a gym for local kids, who becomes Buck's friend. His character of Windy enjoys a bickering love affair with Calhoun's secretary Penny, and the two amply provide the film's comedy relief.
The delinquent who boxes with Shemp in the gym is none other than Leo Gorcey, of Dead End Kids & Bowery Boys fame.
Buck Jones
Buck Benson
Ruth Coleman
Helen Calhoun
Shemp Howard
Windy Wylie
Earle Hodgins
Fred Calhoun
Donald Douglas
Eric Ward
Elaine Arden
Penny Constantino
Stanley Blystone
Bert Lohman
John Elliott
M. H. Benson
Edward Hearn
Farmer
Henry Hall
Farmer
Dick Rich
Clipper
Al Herman
Maxie
Frank Faylen
Joe
Harry Lash
Spud
Kit Guard
Henchman
Lee Shumway
Farmer ringer
Forrest Taylor
Stable groom
Leo Gorcey
Boy in gym
Louis Herbers
Boy in gym
Kent Rogers
Boy in gym
Ward Londelius
Boy in gym
Kenneth Grant
Boy in gym
Robert Taylor
Boy in gym
Lee Otis Jr.
Boy in gym
Unidentified HEADIN' EAST 1
Ranchhand
Unidentified HEADIN' EAST 2
Mr. Jackson
Unidentified HEADIN' EAST 3
Mr. Robinson
Unidentified HEADIN' EAST 4
Mrs. Mahoney
Unidentified HEADIN' EAST 5
Mr. Buckley
Unidentified HEADIN' EAST 6
Desk clerk
Unidentified HEADIN' EAST 7
Desk sergeant
Unidentified HEADIN' EAST 8
Farmer ringer
Unidentified HEADIN' EAST 9
Farmers
Unidentified HEADIN' EAST 10
Loading dock workmen
Unidentified HEADIN' EAST 11
Boys in gym
Unidentified HEADIN' EAST 12
Henchmen
L. G. Leonard
Producer
Ewing Scott
Director
Monroe Shaff
Original Story
Joseph Hoffman
Original Story
Paul Franklin
Screenplay
Ethel La Blanche
Screenplay
Allen Q. Thompson
Photography
Robert O. Crandall
Film Editor
Mack V. Wright
Production Manager
Lewis J. Rachmil
Art Director
Ralph K. Spotts
Recording
Edward Kilenyi
Musical Supervisor
John Coonan
Assistant Director
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