Make 'Em Laugh (The Funny Business of America)
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Released April 24, 1941
Featuring Shemp Howard (Solo)
Featuring Shemp Howard (Solo)
Universal Studios
79 min. (Feature Film)
79 min. (Feature Film)
Countess Claire Ledoux (Marlene Dietrich) arrives in 19th century New Orleans, turning the heads of high society, particularly the wealthy Charles Giraud (Roland Young). Actually, Claire is an opportunist who maintains her rich lifestyle by romancing wealthy men and moving on when she tires of them. Giraud is her new mark. Down-on-his-luck sailing Capt. Robert Latour (Bruce Cabot) is also smitten by Ledoux, and quickly becomes Giraud's rival for her attentions. At a party hosted by Giraud, guest Zolotov (Mischa Auer) thinks he recognizes Claire from St. Louis, and his suspicions alert Giraud's family to her intentions. Determined to marry Charles for his fortune, Claire disguises herself as her identical cousin Lili, the "woman" Zolotov met, and carries on a dual identity ruse. Capt. Latour sees through her deception, and is equally determined to win her heart.
Shemp appears as a waiter at the waterfront's Oyster Bed Cafe. The majority of Shemp's scenes wound up on the editing floor, and he is left with a couple walk-on cameos.
Avg. Rating: 
[8.00/10]
[8.00/10]
Marlene Dietrich
Countess Claire LeDoux / Lili
Bruce Cabot
Robert Latour
Andy Devine
Andrew, 1st sailor
Frank Jenks
2nd sailor
Eddie Quillan
3rd sailor
Joe Devlin
4th sailor
Roland Young
Charles Giraud
Laura Hope Crews
Aunt Giraud
Mischa Auer
Zolotov
Melville Cooper
Giraud's brother-in-law
Anne Revere
Giraud's sister
Franklin Pangborn
Bellows
Clarence Muse
Samuel
Emily Fitzroy
Clarissa
Virginia Sale
Amelia
Bob Evans
William
Dorothy Adams
Sybil
Theresa Harris
Clementine
Rex Evans
Burly
Barbara Brewster
Girl with Zolotov
Gloria Brewster
Girl with Zolotov
Lowell Drew
Party guest
Reed Hadley
Party guest
Sam Harris
Party guest
Poppy Wilde
Party guest
Jenifer Gray
Party guest
Riley Hill
Party guest
Charlotte Treadway
Party guest
Mary Treen
Party guest
Herbert Rawlinson
Party guest
Bess Flowers
Party guest
Gus Schilling
Couturier
Frank Sully
Oyster Bed Cafe waiter
Shemp Howard
Oyster Bed Cafe waiter
Lois Lindsey
Young girl
Larry Steers
Street gala reveler
Frank Moran
Sailor in Oyster Bed Cafe
Jack Raymond
Sailor
James Guilfoyle
Man on dock
Blackie Whiteford
Man on dock
Jess Lee Brooks
Black man at opera
Frank Billy Mitchell
Black man at opera
Virginia Engels
Girl
Tony Paton
Waiter
Eddie Hall
Man listening to tale
Gitta Alpar
Opera singer
Anthony Marlowe
Opera singer
Joel Fluellen
Giraud servant
Ted Billings
Fisherman
Robert Paige
Narrator
Rene Clair
Director
Joe Pasternak
Producer
Rene Clair
Producer
Rene Clair
Story
Norman Krasna
Screenplay
Frank Gross
Film Editor
Rudolph Mate
Director of Photography
Jack Otterson
Art Director
Martin Obzina
Associate Art Director
Russell A. Gausman
Set Decoration
Bernard B. Brown
Sound Supervisor
Robert Pritchard
Sound Technician
Charles Previn
Musical Director
Frank Skinner
Musical Score
Charles Previn
Music
Samuel Lerner
Lyrics
Rene Hubert
Costume Design
Phil Karlson
Assistant Director
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