Make 'Em Laugh (The Funny Business of America)
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Featuring Shemp Howard (Solo)
66 min. (Feature Film)
The Dead End Kids, aka the Little Tough Guys (Bobby Jordan, Huntz Hall, Gabe Dell and Norman Abbott), are determined to put their delinquent ways behind them, find legitimate jobs and do their part to support the war effort on the homefront. But past reputations are tough to overcome and personnel managers aren't willing to give them a chance. Shipping manager Moulton (Frank Albertson) at Mr. Carruther's department store gives jobs to Tommy Banning and the gang, hoping to win a date with Tommy's sister Sheila. Moulton is mixed up in a fencing operation run by racketeer Duke Rodman (Milburn Stone), and he sets Tommy and the gang up as fall guys when an investigation into missing store jewelry begins casting suspicion.
Shemp Howard costars as 'Binky,' owner of the local soda shop hangout of the kids.
Bobby Jordan returned to the cast after a couple years at Monogram's competing East Side Kids series, replacing Billy Halop as gang leader 'Tommy.' Norman Abbott (Bud Abbott's nephew) joins the cast as 'Ape,' replacing Bernard Punsly.
Bobby Jordan
Tommy Banning
Huntz Hall
Pig
Gabe Dell
String
Elyse Knox
Suzanne Booker
Frank Albertson
Frank Moulton
Don Porter
Jerry Brady
Evelyn Ankers
Sheila Banning
Milburn Stone
Duke Rodman
Shemp Howard
Binky
Samuel S. Hinds
Mr. Carruthers
Mary Gordon
Mrs. Banning
Budge Patty
Student
Johnny Walsh
Student
Ernie Adams
Dugan
Dick Chandlee
Sammy
David Durand
Bingo
Dorothy Vaughan
Mrs. Meegan
Paul McVey
Mr. Meecham
Arthur Hoyt
Mr. Quink
Minerva Urecal
Miss Billings
Joe King
Scott
Robert F. Hill
Personnel manager
Howard M. Mitchell
Personnel manager
Rex Lease
Personnel manager
Mira McKinney
Jewelry customer
Harriet Vine
Young lover
Peter Michael
Young lover
Robert Paige
Actor in movie
Jane Frazee
Actress in movie
Harry Holman
Snoring man
Janet Shaw
Young girl
Milton Kibbee
Mr. McGann
Alice Fleming
Matron
Jimmie Dodd
Shorty
Robert Spencer
Mike
Roy Brent
Waiter
Joan Marsh
Lela
Caroline Cooke
Languid customer
Fern Emmett
Lady in 'poiple'
Cliff Clark
Mr. Macklin
William Gould
Detective
Frank O'Connor
2nd detective
Joseph A. Crehan
Det. Sergeant
Lew Kelly
Jailor
Wade Boteler
Police Sergeant
Joey Ray
Thug
Anthony Warde
Thug
Jack C. Smith
Policeman
Ben Erway
Sharkey
Christy Cabanne
Director
Ben Pivar
Producer
Robert Gordon
Story
Edward Handler
Story
Brenda Weisberg
Screenplay
William A. Sickner
Director of Photography
Ray Snyder
Film Editor
John B. Goodman
Art Director
Ralph M. DeLacy
Associate Art Director
Russell A. Gausman
Set Decoration
Edward R. Robinson
Associate Set Decorator
Bernard B. Brown
Sound Director
Paul Neal
Sound Technician
Hans J. Salter
Musical Director
Gil Valle
Assistant Director
Vera West
Gowns
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