Make 'Em Laugh (The Funny Business of America)
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Released February 08, 1950
Featuring Joe Besser (Solo)
Featuring Joe Besser (Solo)
Universal
80 min. (Feature Film)
80 min. (Feature Film)
A pardon after fifteen years in prison gives freedom to Larry Nelson (Richard Basehart) for the first time in his adult life. Unnerved by the fast paced life of Philadelphia, he hits the road for a small town in the Pennsylvania countryside, and finds work as a lab technician in a sanitarium.
Tuberculosis patient Mr. Stoker is actually Jack Bernard (John Hoyt), an ex-con who recently hijacked an armored car for $1 million, leaving his accomplices and two guards dead. Larry recognizes him from prison, but declines to turn him in. Infatuated with head nurse Charlotte Maynard (Marilyn Maxwell), Nelson agrees to act as a messenger between Bernard and his wife, in return for payoffs he can use to impress Charlotte. But Mrs. Bernard is in league with three thugs led by Garth (Harry Morgan), who want to find the $1 million for themselves. They suspect that Larry is one of the robbery accomplices, and kidnap him, nurse Ann Taylor and 'Stoker,' willing to resort to torture to get their hands on the money.
Joe Besser has a small role as a diner owner who hires Larry as a dishwasher.
Portions were filmed on location in Philadelphia.
An early role for Harry Morgan (THE OXBOW INCIDENT, THE GLENN MILLER STORY, DECEMBER BRIDE, DRAGNET, M*A*S*H), cast against type as a villain.
Avg. Rating: 
[4.00/10]
[4.00/10]
Richard Basehart
Larry Nelson
Marilyn Maxwell
Charlotte Maynard
Dorothy Hart
Ann Taylor
John Hoyt
Jack Bernard
Harry Morgan
Garth
Signe Hasso
Celia Benter
Lloyd Gough
Red Chaney
Harry Antrim
Dr. Stuart
Joseph Pevney
Gus Wormser
Mickey Knox
Latzso
Brick Sullivan
Prison guard
Joseph Sweeney
Prison hospital patient
Alden Chase
Bartender
Tracey Roberts
Floozie in bar
Joe Besser
Diner owner
Ralph Montgomery
Diner customer
Anne P. Kramer
Bertie
Paul Dubov
Stickup man
Frank Gerstle
Stickup man
Peggie Castle
Waitress
Tudor Owen
Storage clerk
Crane Wilbur
Director
Aaron Rosenberg
Producer
Henry Edward Helseth
Story
Crane Wilbur
Screenplay
Irving Glassberg
Director of Photography
Edward Curtiss
Film Editor
Richard H. Riedel
Art Director
Bernard Herzbrun
Art Director
Russell A. Gausman
Set Decoration
Oliver Emert
Set Decoration
Leslie I. Carey
Sound Director
Robert Pritchard
Sound Technician
Milton Schwarzwald
Musical Director
Jack Brooks
Music
Rosemary Odell
Gowns
Bud Westmore
Makeup
Joan St. Oegger
Hair Stylist
William Holland
Assistant Director
Edward Dodds
Production Manager
Kyme Meade
Camera Operator
Everett Brown
Grip
Norton Kurland
Gaffer
David S. Horsley
Special Photography
Pat Betz
Script Supervisor
Bill Thomas
Still Photography
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