Make 'Em Laugh (The Funny Business of America)
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Featuring Shemp Howard (Solo)
61 min. (Feature Film)
A Universal musical-comedy programmer featuring the Andrews Sisters and Buddy Rich, anchoring a slim romantic storyline. Record producer George Shelby is served with a $100K lawsuit from Marion Bliss, claiming that his new hit record plagiarizes her calendar poem. Naturally they fall in love, despite interference from Marion's lawyer (and ex-boyfriend) Oliver.
Patty, Maxene and LaVerne Andrews play themselves, elevator operators at Shelby's record company, looking for their big break. Supoena server Alf (Shemp Howard) courts Patty, with a promise that he can book the sisters for Buddy Rich's new nightclub act. Of course, Alf has never met the famous drummer, but nevertheless schemes to put Rich and the Andrews together. Mary Wickes rounds out the cast as George's plain secretary Mike, always ready with a wisecrack.
Robert Paige
George Shelby
Grace McDonald
Marion Bliss
LaVerne Andrews
LaVerne
Patty Andrews
Patty
Maxene Andrews
Maxene
Shemp Howard
Alf
Mary Wickes
Michele 'Mike' Tracy
Buddy Rich and His Orchestra
Themselves
Robert Scheerer
Bobby Scheerer
David Bruce
Oliver
Walter Catlett
Whipple
Janet Shaw
Judy
Harry Hayden
Martin
Gus Glassmire
Judge
Eddie Kane
Lawyer
Barbara Brown
Witness
Jeffrey Sayre
Man in courtroom
Ted Lorch
Man in courtroom
William H. O'Brien
Man in courtroom
Sayre Dearing
Man in courtroom
Jack Norton
Drunk
William Haade
Attendant
Dorothy Babb
Waitress
Louis Da Pron
Soda jerk
John Harmon
Elevator starter
Fred Cordova
Man in lobby
Harold Miller
Nightclub patron
Erle C. Kenton
Director
Ken Goldsmith
Associate Producer
Albert Rice
Story
Jack Goodman
Story
John Grey
Adaptation
Mel Ronson
Screenplay
Elwood Bredell
Director of Photography
Charles Maynard
Film Editor
John B. Goodman
Art Director
Martin Obzina
Associate Art Director
Russell A. Gausman
Set Decoration
Edward R. Robinson
Associate Set Decorator
Bernard B. Brown
Sound Director
Jess Moulin
Sound Technician
Vic Schoen
Musical Director & Arranger
Johnny Green
Music and Lyrics
Sid Robin
Lyrics
Louis Da Pron
Dance Stager
Vera West
Gowns
Mack V. Wright
Assistant Director
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