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TALKING ERA COMEDIES

HScroll down to see this selection. Most of the films from this section range from depression-era comedies to the screwball era of the late 30's. Also the WW2 era 40's films are represented as well as the post-war through 50's as well.
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BILLY BEVAN SOUND COMEDIES
Billy stars in four sound era comedies included here. In "HONEYMOON BEACH", Billy is supposed to marry a young girl who wants to be with Glenn Tryon instead but mother has other ideas! In "SCOTCH" ,with Andy Clyde, Billy plays a practical joking in-law who comes to stay with newly-weds on their wedding day. So does her in-laws. Mack Sennett provides the story and direction in "THE LION'S ROAR" with Vernon Dent. In "TECHNOCRAZY" with Monty Collins, Billy gets caught up in a communist group of fanatics sold on a lazy scheme coined "technocracy"
(A-629-V) B & W sound ..........approximately 75 minutes total...............$16.98 plus shipping and handling

The Blondes & the Redheads
This series was started by George Stevens when he came over to R.K.O. from Hal Roach's Studios. In "FLIRTING IN THE PARK" (1935), young lovers meet in a throwback to the old Keystone farce comedies. June Trevis and Carol Brewster star along with Grady Sutton.An Advertising campaign for stockings cause embarrassment for June Trevis and Carol Brewster in "CONTENTED CALVES" (1934)  In "OCEAN SWELLS" (1935), the girls try and break into high society at a yacht club. In WIG WAG (1935) Grady Sutton is hilarious in drag in this marital mix-up with June Trevis.
(A-711-E) B & W sound ..........approximately 80 minutes total............$20.00 plus S & H
 

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Clark & McCullough Vol. 2
This second volume features the fast-talking Bobby Clark and the amenable Paul McCullough in three more zany two-reel comedies. "JITTERS THE BUTLER" (1932).As musicians they star in "FITS IN A FIDDLE" (1933). Rounding out this second volume is "LOVE AND HISSES" (1934).
(A-196-E) B & W sound ..........approximately 1 hour...........$19.98 plus shipping and handling

ANDY CLYDE Vol. 2
"THE BIG SQUEAL" (1933), stars Andy as a millionaire hog farmer who thinks his girl friend (Dorothy Christy) is married to his best friend (Billy Bevan) and challenges him to a duel. Also appearing are Ethel Sykes, Bud Jamison and Charles K. French. "RACKET CHEERS" (1933)Andy and his wife, Daphne Pollard, are newly rich couple attempting to buy their way into high society. A con-artist and his girl attempt to get all of the money they can including selling them a yacht which is actually a target boat owned by the Navy. A wild chase by battleships and planes dropping bombs ensues! "ARTIST MUDDLES" (1933)Andy tries to help struggling artist Vernon Dent with a painting for a tempermental millionaire. With the help of a monkey, Andy creates a "masterpiece" and unveils it at a society party with disastrous results. In "FEELING ROSEY" (1933), Andy is a business broker who's company is struggling. His doctor recommends a vacation but he thinks he can't afford it. Andy's staff cashes in his bond and tells him he's inherited $50,000. A gold digger and her boyfriend set out to take Andy for his money.
(A-625-V) B & W sound .........approximately 80 minutes total ...........$16.98 plus shipping and handling


ANDY CLYDE Vol. 3
Andy stars in another volume of comedy two-reel shorts including; "THE CANNONBAL" (1931) Here, Andy is an inventor whose rocket fails to get him a mail contract but comes in handy when he inherits a railroad and must put some zip into the old steam locomotive in order to win the same mail contract! In "HALF-BAKED RELATIONS" (1931), Andy and his wife, played by Ethel Sykes, are happily in the bakery business but Andy's brother-in-law is making life miserable for him and the wife is naturally blind to the obnoxious brother who creates nothing but grief for Andy. , "DORA'S DUNIN' DONUTS" (1933) is noted for Andy's co-star,  Shirley Temple. In "UPPERCUT O'BRIEN" (1929), Andy is involved with some oriental bantam-weight boxers in a big money boxing match.
(A-626-V) B & W sound .......approximately 80 minutes total ..............$16.98 plus shipping and handling


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EARLY MADNESS Vol. 2
This volume of vintage comedy shorts from the R.K.O. Studios contains two of the Traveling Man Series starring Louis John Bartels as the fast talking salesman who just manages to get himself out of jams. The last comedy stars Benny Rubin who versatility was unmatched as a radio comedian, a dialect actor and character actor frequently seen on Jack Benny's shows. "SELLING SHORTS" (1931) Directed by Harry Sweet has our traveling salesman, John Bartels unwisely getting off a passenger train in the country and becoming involved with a hillbilly who wants his daughter married off! Bud Jamison also stars. "BLONDES BY PROXY" (1931) was directed by Edgar Kennedy and has John Bartels invited to Morocco by a Sultan to make his 20 wives into blondes. Lot's of fun in the harem! Edward Luddy directs "JULIUS SIZZORS" (1931) with Benny Rubin as the innocent twin brother of a notorious Chicago gangster. Rubin plays both parts. Chic Sale stars in "A SLIP AT THE SWITCH" (1932) a railroad comedy.
(A-213-E) B & W sound ..........approximately 80 minutes...............$19.98 + s&h

LEON ERROL Vol. 1
Noted for his "rubber legs", he started in silent films then came into his own with talkies. In addition to feature-length movie roles, he also worked in nearly 100 short subjects between 1933 and 1951. This opening volume features five Errol comedies. In "THE WRONG ROOM", Leon staggers into his fancy hotel at dawn after an all-night bender and accidentally stumbles into the room of a new bride (played by Veronica Lake) and thinks he has committed bigamy! "WEDTIME STORY" (1943) Junior and Senior Errols elope with their girls without telling each other and end up at the same Niagara Falls hotel! "GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS" (1944) does not star Elvis but Leon buys a burlesque show just as the authorities close it down and Leon must evade the law as well as the unpaid girls with a disguise. "IT SHOULD HAPPEN TO A DOG" (1948) has Leon's wife plotting to get rid of his dog and Leon thinks he's the intended target. This collection concludes with "SHOULD WIVES WORK?". Leon's wife wants more spending money so she gets a job at Leon's place of employment. Trouble is, the boss  won't allow wives to work there. Leon and his wife must pretend they are not married when the boss has them over to his house as overnight guests.
(A-197 ) B & W sound ..........approximately 90 minutes............$19.98 + s&h

LEON ERROL Vol. 2
Leon pretends to commit suicide in "ONE LIVE GHOST" (1936)Look for young Lucille Ball in this one!. Leon tries to pass himself off as a famous swami in "BESTED BY A BEARD" (1940). Then Leon tries to break into jail in "MAIL TROUBLE" (1942)
(A-198-E) B & W sound ..........approximately 1 hour ................$19.98 + s&h


FUN AT ST. FANNY'S (1955)
British comedy starring Fred Emmey, Vera Day, Johnny Brandon with Freddie Mills and Francis Langford's Singing scholars.
(A-00-MC258) 80 minutes...................................$19.95




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BILLY GILBERT COMEDIES
Billy Gilbert was one of the great scene-stealers and character comedians of Hollywood's golden era. He started out in Burlesque (clean family style Burlesque not the girly shows) back in the 1920's when he was discovered by Stan Laurel who asked him who created his material. He said "you're looking at him" and Stan immediately brought him into the fold of the Hal Roach Studios where he became an instant favorite as a comic foil for not only Laurel and Hardy but Charley Chase and others. He free-lanced around Hollywood and can be seen in this collection of short comedy films from the 1930's. Titles include; "SUPER STUPID"with Billy as a street vendor who, along with his sales shill Vince Barnett runs afoul of local police officer Bud Jamison.  "JUST ANOTHER MURDER"follows. Then "BRAIN BUSTERS". In "WHO'S LOONEY NOW?" Billy plays a psychologist who is sent out to cure Jack Norton who is perceived to be crazy by his family when he laughs at everything that goes wrong. When the men in the white jackets arrive, they don't know who is the sane one!  "CRAZY LIKE A FOX" has him as a cab driver who gets involved in a Royal scandal with a Sultan and a drunken publicity agent (played by Jack Norton). Billy Bletcher joins Billy Gilbert in "THE SCHMALTZ BROTHERS' MUSIC IN HER HAIR" with Virginia Karns singing "Lover Come Back" so soulfully they are reduced to tears!
(A-315) B & W sound ..........approximately 110 minutes ...$19.98 plus shipping and handling

NIELA GOODELLE
Beautiful singer Niela Goodelle stars in four musical-comedy shorts including "SPRING IS HERE", "SLACKS APPEAL", "MELODY GIRL",  and "AIR PARADE".
(A-630-V) B & W sound ..........approximately 75 minutes total .............$9.98 plus shipping and handling


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HERE COMES TROUBLE plus Have Camera Will Travel
  Newspaper reporters who would be detectives frequently formed the basis of a lively mystery-comedy in the 30's and 40's. Such is the case with this offering which stars William Tracy and Joe Sawyer. Along for the fun are Joyce Compton and Dudley Dickerson. William Tracy is your typical "schlep" of an idiot who looks as goofy as he acts. Somehow, he has a gorgeous girl friend who's father is editor of a newspaper pursuing a crime ring. Naturally, Tracy is assigned to get evidence of the unknown "Mr. Big". A blackmailing burlesque queen has the evidence to sell the editor provided it's made to look like she was mugged. Instead, she is murdered and now it becomes a police matter with the murderer loose in the burlesque house. Not exactly Charlie Chan at the opera, but there are some funny stunts as the killer runs through the wings after the evidence and away from the pursuers.
  As a bonus attraction, Paul Gilbert and Gregg Palmer star as newsreel cameramen in "HAVE CAMERA, WILL TRAVEL". A TV pilot about the adventures of a pair of news cameramen and the adventures they go through. Here, they are assigned to cover a South American revolution. "The people are revolting!" claims Curley. "You should get along just fine!" says his boss as he forces them to do this dangerous assignment with plot intrigues that they unwittingly get caught up in. Full of lively gags and excellent stunt work, they two cameramen get their movie footage they need before being sent to Florida to get close-ups of killer sharks!
(A-314) Color (Featurette) and b&w (TV show).......approximately 80 minutes total ...$14.98 plus s & h

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EDGAR KENNEDY Vol. 1
Edgar's in-laws live with him and they constantly drive him crazy. In fact his temper is far from the "slow burn" he's noted for and his wife demands that he not lose his temper or she'll leave him. Poor Edgar tries as best he can not to explode at his mother-in-law and brother-in-law in "IN-LAWS ARE OUT". Two shady characters , friends of Florence's relatives, spend the night at the Kennedy's in "TWO FOR THE MONEY" (1942). Brother buys a new outboard motor, using Ed's money in "MOTOR MANIACS" (1946). Edgar stars in "A BLASTED EVENT" as the final comedy on this volume.
(A-241) B & W sound .........approximately  75 minutes ..............$16.98 + s&h

EDGAR KENNEDY Vol. 2
The old argument of who's job is tougher crops up between Edgar and his wife (played by Vivian Oakland) so they swap places for the day in "BAD HOUSEKEEPING" (1937) with Franklin Pangborn along for the laughs. Wanting to go on a hunting trip, Edgar tells his wife he's joined the National Guard in order to get away in "DRAFTED IN A DEPOT" (1940). Edgar thinks his brother-in-law and mother-in-law are out to kill him for his insurance in "DUCK SOUP" (1942). Ed must fix the family radio in "RADIO RAMPAGE" (1944).
(A-242) B & W sound .......approximately 75 minutes .....$19.98 + s&h

EDGAR KENNEDY Vol. 3
Edgar's wife thinks the romance has gone out of their marriage and decides that Edgar must "court" her even to the degree of getting into his old sailor suit (which is a bit snug after all the years of home cooking). Naturally Edgar take a lot of kidding about this in "LOVE ON A LADDER" (1934). Edgar next stars in "HOLD YOUR TEMPER". The Kennedy family is out for a picnic in "A QUIET FOURTH" (1941) but they do not know that they have set up their picnic on an Army target practice range! Charlie Hall joins in on the explosive results. Edgar also stars in "FEATHER YOUR NEST" (1944) as he tries to get his lazy, shiftless, scheming, brother-in-law married off.
(A-243) B & W sound ..........approximately 75 minutes ........$19.98 plus shipping and handling

EDGAR KENNEDY Vol. 4
Edgar parodies the movie business in "WRONG DIRECTION" (1933). He gets his big break to direct a film and all seems to be going well until his pesky family visits the set! Edgar finds gold and accidentally buries in on his neighbors property in "DUMB 'S THE WORD" (1937). Edgar's shiftless brother-in-law is always a drain on him so he tries to set him up in business by buttering up a wealthy Uncle in "WHAT ! NO CIGARETTES?"(1945)  Edgar has the "WALL STREET BLUES" when some formerly worthless stock suddenly becomes valuable. Trouble is, his wife used it to wallpaper the den! In their former house! So he has to find a way to retrieve the stocks! Charlie Hall also appears as a rival painter. (1946)
(A-244) B & W sound ..........approximately 80 minutes ........$19.98 plus shipping and handling

EDGAR KENNEDY Vol. 5
Edgar and his family go on a disatrous fishing trip in "FISH FEATHERS" (1932) directed by Harry Sweet. Edgar is caused trouble by a radio advice giver in "EARS OF EXPERIENCE" (1938) directed by Leslie Goodwins. In "INDIAN SIGNS" (1939) the occult raises it's ugly head as Edgar take his mother-in-law (another ugly head!) to a seance. In "IT'S YOUR MOVE" (1945) Edgar pays homage to his old friends Laurel and Hardy with a comedy that recalls the Oscar-winning "Music Box" as Ed and his brother-in-law try to carry a washer up a long flight of stairs.
(A-708-E) B & W sound ....................approximately 80 minutes....................$19.98 plus S & H

EDGAR KENNEDY Vol. 6
In "TRAMP TOUBLE" (1937) Edgar takes pity on a young hobo only to find out that he is more trouble than he bargained for. Billy Benedict co-stars. In "MAID TO ORDER", Edgar tries to get a mail order bride for his shiftless brother-in-law. The Kennedy's don't believe they are legally married in "TAINT LEGAL"(1940). Edgar thinks he's getting too old and fat and may lose his job in "DO OR DIET" (1947).
(A-709-E) B & W sound ....................approximately 80 minutes....................$19.98 plus S & H


KING KELLY of The U.S.A.
starring Edgar Kennedy and Guy Robertson as two traveling salesmen who unwittingly befriend the king of a tiny nation in this feature from Monogram Studios, 1934
(A-834-V)  B& W sound ....................approximately 55 minutes...................$16.95 plus S & H

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KIRKWOOD AND BROWN
Tone deaf song-and-dance men Kirkwood and Brown are two characters always in search of their big break in show business. This goofy, unassuming team is featured in four comedies; "PUT SOME MONEY IN THE POT" (1950), "FROM ROGUES TO RICHES" (1951), "TINHORN TROUBADOURS" (1950), and "BROOKLYN BUCKAROOS" (1950).
(A-623-V) B & W sound .......approximately 73 minutes total...............$16.98 plus shipping and handling


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GIL LAMB with Andy Clyde, Emil Sitka, Charlie Hall
A gangly, goofy, loose-limbed comedian who starred in two-reel comedies in the late 40' and early 50's is featured in five short subjects. First is  "PARDON MY WRENCH" Sounds like a damn Castle Films digest but it's actually the real title of this funny slapstick short. Gil is joined by Andy Clyde, Emil Sitka, Charlie Hall and Carol Hughes. Gil is an ambitious beau of Carol Hughes whose father, played by Andy Clyde, needs some plumbing work done in his kitchen. Gil offers to save Andy some money by installing a garbage disposal for him to prove how handy he is around the house. If course it goes down hill from there with some lively gags that keep the pace of the film moving along nicely. In "FAST AND FOOLISH" (1951), Gil is challenged to a motor cycle race by his girl's other suitor. Her brother, played by Nick Adams, teaches him how to ride those muddy race trails that motor cyclists frequent with fast-paced results! "GROAN AND GRUNT" (1949)Gil is hypnotized into believing he is a pro wrestler and during the match he comes out of his trance!, "BASHFUL ROMEO" (1950) casts Gil as a door-to-door salesman who is conscripted by a neglected wife to pose as her lover. When the husband returns and apologizes, he must quickly shift gears and disguise himself as a girl rather than suffer the wrath of the husband!, "THE GHOSTBUSTER" (1952) rounds out this collection. When a society playboy vanishes, window washer Gil turns reporter-detective. He disguises himself as a nurse to get into a creepy old mansion during a thunder-storm!
(A-622) B & W sound.....approximately 90 minutes total................$16.98 plus shipping and handling


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THE MASQUERS CLUB COMEDIES
The Masquers were one of many professional acting fraternities. They produced a series of 2-reel comedies during the early 30's such as those represented in this collection. They were purposely off-beat in nature such as utilizing crazy incongruous sound effects or talking to the camera like a Greek chorus. "WIDE OPEN SPACES" (1932) stars Ned Sparks, Antonio Moreno, Dorothy Sebastian and William Farnum in a take-off on movie westerns. "LOST IN LIMEHOUSE" (or Lady Esmerelda's Predicament) from 1933 stars Laura LaPlante up to her neck in trouble in Chinatown.
"THE MOONSHINER'S DAUGHTER" (1933) also known as "A Broad in Old Kentucky" stars Mary Carr, Russell Simpson, Lucille Brown and Russell Hopton in a spoof on the classic feuding families; the Catfields and the Ratfields.
(A-313-E) B & W sound ..........approximately 1hour ...............$19.98 plus shipping and handling

My Favorite Brunette
One of Bob Hope's better comedies from the mid-40's era. This comedy casts Bob as a baby photographer who aspires to be a private detective. Alan Ladd guests as a P.I. that Bob aspires to be like and when Bob decides to take on a case in Ladd's absence, the fun begins. Full of spies and foreign agents this comedy boasts an all-star cast including Dorothy Lamour, Peter Lorre, Lon Chaney Jr. ,and a few surprises.
(A-199) B & W sound..........approximately 90 minutes ...$10.00 plus shipping and handling



My Uncle  starring Jaques Tati  (1958)
This talking era comedy from 1958 is more like a silent era comedy.
(A-) B & W sound..........approximately 109 minutes ...$10.00 plus shipping and handling




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R.K.O. MADCAPS featuring Tom Kennedy, Billy Gilbert & Chic Chandler
A dumb Dora driver wreaks havoc on Tom Kennedy in "BIG MOUTHPIECE" (1934) directed by Fred Guiol.
In RAISED AND CALLED (1934) Tom Kennedy fabricates a story to his boss that he's getting married in order to secure a raise. Hilarious bowling alley escapades occur in "UNLUCKY STRIKES" (1934) with Tom Kennedy and Chic Chandler. Edgar Kennedy (no relation to Tom) steals the show in "NEVER THE TWINS SHALL MEET" (1932) as Roscoe Ates plays dual roles as twins who meet up at Edgar's house.
(A-00-E) B & W sound ..........approximately 80 minutes....................$20.00 plus S & H

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COOKING UP TROUBLE
Shemp Howard (of the Three Stooges) and Billy Gilbert star in this feature length comedy.
(A580) ...b & w ....approx 75 min......................................$9.98 plus s&



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TALL BLONDE MAN WITH ONE BLACK SHOE
Pierre Richard, Jean Rochfort, Mirielle Darc and Bernard Blier star in this French farce comedy about a harmless violinist who is mistaken for a superspy. Filled with gags, chases and bedroom farce elements, this comedy offers a wide path of laughter.
(A-297) Color........approximately 90 minutes..........$14.98 plus shipping and handling

TALKING COMEDY RARITIES Vol. 3
Sennett comedian Ford Sterling made talking comedies well into the 1930's. Here he plays a jewelry salesman who must meet with a female buyer at a posh hotel. His jealous wife follows him to ensure that his activities are "ALL BUSINESS". Johnny Arthur, Bert Roach, Francis Lee are featured in a comedy about wives who go out on strike in "DOWN WITH HUSBANDS". The husbands counter with a "Husband's Protective League".  Reel two is all that survives of "HOT LEMONADE" starring Walter Heirs, Johnny Arthur and Louise Fazenda. Another Sennett comedian from the golden age stars in a talking comedy titled "THE HORSE'S TAIL". As a singing waiter at a local cafe, Eddie is concerned about his wife's fidelity and charges back home when he finds out she's not on the level. A burglar breaks in but Eddie doesn't know who he is and the police arrest Eddie instead! Finally, a wacky musical-Vaudeville short from Al Christie and E.W. Hammonds Studios "THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY featuring a tap-dancing Shirley Temple wanna-be (with curly-locks and all) as well as a Three Stooges-imitation slapstick act. Cast includes Mary Lou, The Bo Brummels, Sugar Nichols, Ernie Mack, Ralph Theodore and John Cleveland. Real house-hold names! Monty Collins stars in a short comedy directed by Roscoe Fatty Arbuckle called "ANYBODY'S GOAT". Train station clerk Collins is the victim of a triple-cross money scheme by swindlers who use a goat that supposedly eats a wallet with ten thousand dollars in it.
(A-687) B & W ....................approximately 100 minutes total...............$16.98 plus S & H.

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&RECOMMENDED READING
"MOVIE COMEDY TEAMS" by Leonard Maltin
  You will not find a better guide to the classic talking era comedy teams such as Clark and McCollough, Wheeler and Woolsey, to Martin and Lewis and Abbott and Costello. They are all here and documented with filmographies.

You can join the W. C. Fields fan club for newsletter subscriptions by writing to : W.C. Fields Fan Club P.O. Box 506 Stratford N.J. 08084-0506. A-1 video is not affiliated nor has any commercial interest in any fan club or newsletter recommendations.
FOR other books on comedy , see our page on "Books & Periodicals" in the "Other Sales and Services" section of our website.

 

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