Jitterbugs (1943)
Jitterbugs is a 1943 American musical comedy starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, produced by Sol M. Wurtzel for 20th Century Fox. Directed by Malcolm St. Clair, it was released on June 25, 1943, with a runtime of about 74 minutes.
Plot Summary
Stan and Ollie are traveling across the United States as “The Original Zoot Suit Band.” Along the way, they encounter Chester Wright (Robert Bailey), a smooth-talking con man who claims to have invented a revolutionary pill that can turn water into gasoline. In reality, Chester is a fraud, secretly substituting gasoline for water in his demonstrations.
Despite being duped, Stan and Ollie join forces with Chester when they discover that a young singer, Susan Cowan (Vivian Blaine), and her mother have been swindled out of $10,000. The trio works together to expose the crooks, recover the stolen money, and restore justice. The film blends slapstick comedy, musical numbers, and wartime satire, with Laurel and Hardy’s trademark antics driving the humor.
Cast
- Stan Laurel as Stan
- Oliver Hardy as Ollie
- Vivian Blaine as Susan Cowan
- Robert Bailey as Chester Wright
- Douglas Fowley as Malcolm Bennett
- Noel Madison as Tony Queen
- Lee Patrick as Dorcas
- Robert Emmett Keane as Henry Corcoran
Production Notes & Trivia
- Directed by Malcolm St. Clair, who had worked with Laurel and Hardy on several Fox features.
- Produced by Sol M. Wurtzel, known for economical studio productions.
- Cinematography by Lucien N. Andriot and music by Lew Pollack and Leigh Harline.
- The film reflects wartime anxieties about fuel shortages, using the “gasoline pill” scam as topical satire.
- Vivian Blaine, later famous for originating the role of Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls (1950), appears in one of her early film roles.
- Though not considered among Laurel and Hardy’s finest work, it remains a curious wartime comedy blending slapstick with musical elements.
