Make 'Em Laugh (The Funny Business of America)
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Released April 06, 1944
Featuring Joe Besser (Solo)
Featuring Joe Besser (Solo)
Columbia
77 min. (Feature Film)
77 min. (Feature Film)
In Columbia's adaptation of the musical-comedy play, Broadway producer Jim Lighter (Larry Parks) is fed up with show business, particularly his leading lady Winnie Clark (Ann Miller), so he joins the Army. Putting showbiz behind is harder than he thinks when his commanding officer orders him to produce a camp show. This being Hollywood, its only a matter of time before Winnie becomes involved in the production. Jim is sure she is doing it for the publicity, but Winnie claims that she's doing it for the troops.
Joe Besser and his straightman Jimmy Little had a popular Army drill routine that they performed on Broadway. Columbia brought Joe to Hollywood to incorporate his routine into this film, and cast him as the film's star and comedy relief.
Legendary Hollywood director and choreographer Stanely Donen was Assistant Choreographer. Actor Jack Gilford (A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, SAVE THE TIGER, COCOON) made his feature film debut in HEY, ROOKIE!, as well as horror film impresario, collector and magazine publisher Forrest J Ackerman.
Avg. Rating: 
[6.00/10]
[6.00/10]
Ann Miller
Winnie Clark
Larry Parks
Jim Lighter
Joe Besser
Pendleton Pudge Pfeiffer
Jimmy Little
Bert Pfeiffer
Joe Sawyer
Sarge
Ralph Dunn
Examination Sergeant
Syd Saylor
Cpl. Trupp
Eddie Dunn
Doctor
Phil Van Zandt
Psychiatrist
Barbara Brown
Mrs. Clark
Selmer Jackson
Col. Robbins
Larry Thompson
Capt. Jessop
George Eldredge
Capt. Mulligan
The Vagabonds
Soldier musicians
Harry Barris
Rec hall pianist
Hi Lo Jack and the Dame
Rec hall singers
Steve Condos
Tap-dancing soldier
Nick Condos
Tap-dancing soldier
Tom Dugan
Sourpuss
Jimmie Dodd
Bopkins
Robert Lowell
Jitterbug
Doodles Weaver
Maxon
Jack Rice
Highbrow
Forrest J Ackerman
Sgt. Ack-Ack
Charles C. Wilson
Sam Jonas
Jack Gilford
Himself, camp show monologist
Bob Stanton
Accordionist, singer
Bob Evans
Himself, USO ventriloquist
The Johnson Brothers
Themselves, USO performers
Hal McIntyre and His Orchestra
Themselves, USO performers
The Six Solid Senders
Themselves, USO performers
Judy Clark
Herself, USO dancer
Bill Shawn
Dancer
Joey Ray
M. C.
Jeanne Bates
Chief WAC
John Tyrrell
Soldier at refreshment stand
Eddie Laughton
Stage manager
Eddie Acuff
Jokester
Sid Melton
Bored soldier
Joe Palma
Soldier
Charles Trowbridge
Gen. Willis
Mel Shubert
Captain
Dick Curtis
Sarge in baking skit
Teddy Mangean
Call boy
Johnny Kascier
Besser's stand-in
Charles Barton
Director
Irving Briskin
Producer
Edward Eliscu
Associate Producer
Jay Gorney
Associate Producer
Henry Myers
Associate Producer
E. B. Colvan
Original Play
Doris Colvan
Original Play
Edward Eliscu
Screenplay
Jay Gorney
Screenplay
Henry Myers
Screenplay
L. W. O'Connell
Director of Photography
James Sweeney
Film Editor
Lionel Banks
Art Director
Ross Bellah
Associate Art Director
Joseph Kish
Set Decoration
Jack Haynes
Recording Director
P. J. Faulkner
Music Recording
Morris W. Stoloff
Musical Director
Edward Eliscu
Original Music
John Leipold
Original Music
Henry Myers
Original Music
Jay Gorney
Original Music
J. C. Lewis
Original Music
John Percy
Title Music and Lyrics
Hallowell Walker
Title Music and Lyrics
Sonny Burke
Lyrics
Val Raset
Dance Director
Stanley Donen
Assistant Choreographer
Wilbur McGaugh
Assistant Director
Major Charles D. Sauvinet
Technical Advisor
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