It’s In the Bag! (1945)

It’s In the Bag! (1945)

“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.

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One thought on “It’s In the Bag! (1945)

  1. 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.

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