HELLZAPOPPIN'

Hellzapoppin'
Mayfair / Universal, 1941, B/W, 84 minutes, **½
Released December, 1941

Playing incompetent nitwits, Ole and Chic hire a producer to make a musical show at a fancy estate. What follows are non-stop zany gags and jokes when the producer takes on extracurricular activities by falling in love with the estate's wealthy girl. However, he's encumbered by the girl's fiance. A wild love triangle ensues, complicated by Chic's sister because a penniless Russian aristocrat mistakes her for the wealthy girl. Based on the hit Broadway play.

Slapstick madness from one end to the other! Slapstick fans should love it, but musically it's nothing special except for the Congaroo number played by Slim and Slam (and others) and danced by the Congaroo Dancers. This number alone is worth the price of admission!

Associate Producers: Glenn Tryon, Alex Gottlieb
Direced by: H. C. Potter
Assistant Director: Joseph A. McDonough
Screenplay: Nat Perrin, Warren Wilson
Based on an original story by Nat Perrin
Suggested by the stage play "Olsen & Johnson's Hellzapoppin"
Musical Director: Charles Previn
Words and Music by: Don Raye & Gene De Paul
"Waiting for the Robert E. Lee" Words and Music by Gilbert & Muir
Musical Numbers Staged by: Nick Castle & Edward Prinz
Music Supervisor: Ted Cain
Musical Score: Frank Skinner
Art Director: Jack Otterson
Associate: Martin Obzina
Set Decorations: R. A. Gausman
Gowns: Vera West
Sound Director: Bernard B. Brown
Technician: William Fox
Director of Photography: Woody Bredell
Special Photographic Effects: John P. Fulton
Film Editor: Milton Carruth

Cast: Ole Olsen [Ole], Chic Johnson [Chic], Martha Raye [Betty], Hugh Herbert [Quimby], Jane Frazee [Kitty Rand], Robert Paige [Jeff], Mischa Auer [Pepi], Richard Lane [Director], Lewis Howard [Woody], Clarence Kolb [Mr. Rand], Nella Walker [Mrs. Rand], Shemp Howard [Louis], Elisha Cook, Jr. [Selby], Frank Darien [Messenger], Katherine Johnson [Lena], Gus Schilling [Orchestra Leader], The Six Hits [Themselves], Slim and Slam [Specialty], The Congaroo Dancers (aka Whitey's Lindy Hoppers) [Lindy Hop dance specialty], Olive Hatch Water Ballet [Specialty], Additional Cast: Andrew Tombes [Max Kane], Jack "Tiny" Lipson [Junior], Susan Miller [Junior's Mother], Bert Roach [Robert T. MacChesney], Jody Gilbert [Louis' Girlfriend], Rex Stewart [Trumpet player in Congaroo number], C. C. Johnson [Bongo player in Congaroo number], Don Brodie [Theatre Manager], Sig Arno [Cellist], Dave Willock [Trombonist], Frank Austin [Chauffeur], George Chandler [Movie Cameraman], Billy Curtis [Bodyguard], Jimmie Lucas, Charlie Hall [Taxi Drivers], Harry Monty [Midget Taxi Driver], Joseph North, Bob Rose [Butlers], George Davis [Russian Butler], Gil Perkins [Butler in Pool], Terry Walker [Maid], Angelo Rossitto [Dwarf Devil], Eddie Acuff [Drafted Devil], Billy Wayne [Photographer], Hal K. Dawson [Photographer at Pool], Ben Hall [Goofy Man], Samuel S. Hinds [Showboat Captain], George Humbert [Chef], Fred Sanborn [Man playing tic-tac-toe on horse], Ellinor Vanderveer [Audience Extra], Dale Van Sickel [Frankenstein Monster], Lyle Moraine [Young Man], Bess Flowers [Audience Extra], Kathryn Adams [Girl], Dean Collins [Betty's Jitterbug Dance Partner]

Musical Program: [0:01] Hellzapoppin' (production number sung by Chrous, decaying into comical madness); [0:20] What Kind of Love Is This? (sung by Martha Raye); [0:27] Heaven for Two (sung by Robert Paige, joined by Jane Frazee); [0:34] Watch the Birdie (sung by Martha Raye and Chorus); [0:37] You Were There (sung by Jane Frazee while dancing with Robert Paige); [0:44] You Were There (sung by Chorus joined by Jane Frazee during water ballet); [0:50] Congaroo (played by Slim and Slam and others, danced by The Cangaroo Dancers); [1:01] Comedy ballet number in "Broadway Bound"; [1:07] Puttin' on the Dog (Dog dance number); [1:10] Waiting for the Robert E. Lee (sung by Jane Frazee, Martha Raye and Chorus); [1:16] Conga Beso (sung and danced by Jane Frazee, Martha Raye and Chorus); [1:22] Hellzapoppin' (sung by Chrous behind end credits)