It's in the Bag! (United Artists) (1945)

Mystery Hit Suggested Allen Comedy Theme Origin of Fred Allen’s comedy sensation, “It’s In The Bag,” his first film in four years, stems from one of those amazing cinematic coincidences of more than two seasons ago. Allen, the humorist, had wit¬ nessed a running of that masterly melodrama, ' leased by United Artists, “It’s In The Bag” boasts a real galaxy of stars, in addition to Allen, includ¬ ing Don Ameche, Binnie Barnes, Robert Benchley, William Bendix, Jack Benny, John Carradine, Jerry Colonna, Victor Moore, William Terry, Sidney Toler and Rudy Val- lee. _, ‘Shadow Of A Doubt,” j directed by Alfred Hitchcock and * produced by Jack H. Skirball. He P was intrigued, and he called for « an interview with the producer. I Skirball obliged gladly, and in ( the ensuing conference Allen said l' he would like to make another pic- I' ture, some time, if he could be as- i sured if would have the same high quality of entertainment — in a comedy way—that “Shadow Of A I ’ Doubt” offered in its melodramatic way. “Fred asked my advice,” said i Skirball, “and I told him he ijoouldn’t go wrong if he reserved for himself full approval of his C own producer, and director. He asked me if I would produce a pic- with him under those conditions. I said yes, and we made a deal.” That was the beginning of “It’s In The Bag,” coming to the . Theatre on. •'■hrough United Artists, rele ase, •)w hai’'''^ bv cH' Terry Climbs Ladder To Hollywood Fame William Terry who has been steadily climbing the ladder of Hollywood fame goes up a couple of extra rungs in a boost received for his exceptional acting job in Fred Allen’s starrer, “It’s In The Bag,” coming to the . Thea¬ tre on . through United Artists release. Terry previously established a high reputation for his perform¬ ance in “Stage Door Canteen,” and 'the set Upwards of 100 assorted actors, with “baggy glimmers” were even¬ tually rounded up for the required sequence, which is one of many hilarious episodes of “It’s In The Bag,” the season’s outstanding comedy, and one of the funniest films to come out of Hollywood. In this United Artists picture, Allen is surrounded by an all-star cast which includes Don Ameche, Binnie Barnes, Robert Benchley, William Bendix, Jack Benny, John Carradine, Jerry Colonna, Victor Moore, William Terry, Sidney To¬ ler and Rudy Vallee. One of the high points of the film is the resumption of the hilar¬ ious Jack Benny—Fred Allen feud. In this case Fred pretends to be the president of the Jack Benny Fan Club and Benny plays himself. The fur really flies when the two top comics come to verbal blows. “It’s *In The Bag” was directed by Richard Wallace from a screen¬ play by Jay Dratler and Alma Reville. duction. BendixIntroducesNew Type of Gangster Role William Bendix introduces a new type of gangster role in his guest-star appearance with Fred Allen in the latter’s new comedy hit, “It’s In The Bag,” coming to the . Theatre on . through United Art¬ ists release. As leader of the no¬ torious “Bendix gang,” Bill is “public enemy No. 1,” but he is gun-shy and prefers poetry and flowers to rough stuff. It is one of the star’s outstanding perform¬ ances. Bendix is only one of an all-star cast which includes besides Fred Allen, of course, Don Ameche, Bin¬ nie Barnes, Robert Benchley, Jack Benny, John Carradine, Jerry Colonna, Victor Moore, William Terry, Sidney Toler, Gloria Pope and Dickie Tyler. Richard Wallace directed the production. The picture, announced as a laugh-packed thriller, also fea¬ tures such notables as Binnie Barnes, Robert Benchley, Jerry Co¬ lonna and John Carradine. “Mrs. Nussbaum,” a favorite comedienne with radio fans, has a typical role while two youthful newcomers, Gloria Pope and William Terry, add romantic interest to the film’s comical excitement. The famous Jack Benny—Fred Allen laugh feud is resumed in “It’s In The Bag,” for the hilarity and edification of hosts of movie¬ goers who have followed its laugh filled progress on the radio. Allen impersonates the president of the Jack Benny Fan Club and Benny plays himself. “It’s In The Bag,” produced by Jack H. Skirball, was directed by Richard Wallace. Allen himself, with Lewis R. Foster, wrote the unusual screen treatment which is said to contain all the sidesplit¬ ting zest of the Allen radio pro¬ grams. Hilarious Note! ovides ’ together like Adam and Eve; Don Ameche, limiting his inventive genius to new gags and coy Victor Moore who needs no further introduction. The gay nineties twist is strictly for gags. “It’s In The Bag” also includes Jack Benny, (continuing the roaring Benny-Alien feud), Robert Benchley, Binnie Barnes, William Bendix, and Jerry Colonna aiding and abetting the proceedings. '.ol. Mat—ID (.60) Page Seventeen