“Last year’s diamonds? Oh no, we don’t bother with them. You see, we just throw them out. They get so shabby, you know.”
|
Synopsis:
Flea-circus owner Fred Froogle (Fred Allen) receives a surprise inheritance, only to find out that the money is hidden in one of five chairs he has just sold. He must locate the cash-filled chair before a group of murderous thieves beat him to it.
|
|
Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:
- Comedy
- Inheritance
- Jack Benny Films
- John Carradine Films
- Thieves and Criminals
Response to Peary’s Review:
As Peary notes, this “rare Fred Allen movie” — which was “the probable inspiration for Mel Brooks’s The Twelve Chairs” — is “just as cockeyed”. While it contains some “great scenes”, it’s inconsistently funny; those who aren’t already fans of Allen’s dry wit probably won’t get much enjoyment out of the film’s humor, unless you consider rejoinders like this one amusing:
Fred Floogle: “Doctor, have you considered using fly paper?”
Dr. Greengrass: “Fly paper? Since when can a fly read?”
Was this funny once, I wonder?
Redeeming Qualities:
- A few mildly amusing moments
Must See?
No, but film fanatics may be curious to check it out simply as Fred Allen’s only starring role in a motion picture.
Links:
|
One thought on “It’s In the Bag! (1945)”
First viewing. Not must-see.
Certain comedies age better than others. This one is pretty much attached to its time. The humor is now harmless but hoary. The references to Jack Benny being a skinflint still work but not much else does.