Make 'Em Laugh (The Funny Business of America)
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Released August 12, 1935
Featuring Ted Healy (Solo)
Featuring Ted Healy (Solo)
MGM
66.8 min. (Feature Film)
66.8 min. (Feature Film)
Ann Gray is framed and unjustly convicted of the 1st-degree murder of gangster Ted Arnold. The real culprits are gang leader Smiley Gordon's men. Smiley is convinced that before Arnold was killed, he gave Ann some information on the organization, and he's determined to keep her quiet. On her way to the state penitentiary, Gordon's men cause an auto accident with the prison escort, intending to kidnap Ann. But she escapes and quickly hitches a ride with lawyer Tony Baxter. At first Tony doesn't know who she is, but once he does, he's determined to clear her name even if it means he must become a fugitive too. In addition to the police, Smiley's gang is also on their trail, and staying alive is just as critical as clearing Ann's name.
Ted Healy was cast as one of the police detectives on Ann's trail. It appears that he did film some scenes, and at least one production still with him survives. But the film had a troubled production history involving several directors, rewrites, delays, reshoots and recasting. One result of all that confusion was actor Lee Phelps taking over Healy's role.
The image accompanying this entry shows Ted Healy in a scene that was later reshot with Lee Phelps.
Avg. Rating: 
[7.00/10]
[7.00/10]
Maureen O'Sullivan
Ann Gray
Joel McCrea
Anthony 'Tony' Baxter
Louis Calhern
Smiley Gordon
Noel Madison
Joe Metz, henchman
Lewis Stone
District Attorney Martin
Edgar Kennedy
House detective Sweeney
Adrienne Ames
Betty Randolph
Robert Greig
Peedles
William B. Davidson
Detective Collins
Lee Phelps
Detective Charlie Beale
Margaret Bloodgood
Courthouse matron
Stanley Andrews
Jury foreman
Bob Murphy
Mike, dissenting juror
John Dilson
2nd juror talking to Mike
Phil Tead
3rd juror talking to Mike
Harry C. Bradley
4th juror talking to Mike
Hector Sarno
Juror in background of jury room
Frank Sheridan
Judge at Baxter's proceeding
Tom McGuire
Court officer
Charles Lane
Defense attorney Herman
Boyd Irwin
Judge
Jack Rice
Asst. District Attorney
Carl Stockdale
Court clerk
Lynton Brent
Reporter in courtroom
Charles Marsh
Reporter
Don Brodie
Reporter
Bert Moorhouse
Reporter
John Kelly
Truck driver causing accident
Dick Rush
Detective
Bill Dooley
Mr. Sneider
Harry Strang
Police dispatcher
Frank O'Connor
Policeman
James Flavin
Mac, policeman
Gertrude Short
Gertie
Ernie Alexander
Steve
Charles Trowbridge
Asst. District Attorney
Ralf Harolde
Monk Shelby
Eddie Hart
Andy, henchman
Richard Powell
Lee, henchman
Michael Mark
Henchman
Al Hill
Henchman
Clay Clement
Henchman
Erville Alderson
Constable
Edward Norris
Man on phone at party
Dave O'Brien
Steve, tap dancer
Arthur Housman
Art, waiter at party
Sayre Dearing
Party guest
Ivan Miller
1st State Trooper
James P. Burtis
2nd State Trooper
Howard C. Hickman
Dr. Griffith
Brooks Benedict
Nightclub casino manager
Eddie Kane
Nightclub headwaiter
Sam McDaniel
Oscar, washroom attendant
Barry Norton
Nightclub patron
Harry McCoy
Businessman
Gus Shy
Drunk
Gayne Whitman
Attorney
Nora Cecil
Old maid
Ted Healy
Detective Charlie Beale, scenes deleted
Jack Baxley
Detective Collins, scenes deleted
Granville Bates
Casey, scene deleted
George B. Seitz
Director
Phil Goldstone
Producer
Wilson Collison
Story
David Silverstein
Screenplay
Leonard Fields
Screenplay
Otis Garrett
Contributing Writer
Kathryn Scola
Contributing Writer
Leon Gordon
Contributing Writer
Kubec Glasmon
Contributing Writer
George Hanneman
Contributing Writer
Charles G. Clarke
Photography
Ben Lewis
Film Editor
Cedric Gibbons
Art Director
Edwin B. Willis
Associate Art Director
Joseph C. Wright
Associate Art Director
Douglas Shearer
Recording Director
William Axt
Original Music
Dolly Tree
Wardrobe
Sandy Roth
Assistant Director
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