The Phynx (1970)

Actors: Lou Antonio (actor), Jack Bannon (actor), Edgar Bergen (actor), Busby Berkeley (actor), James Brown (actor), Ray Chippeway (actor), Dick Clark (actor), Xavier Cugat (actor), Andy Devine (actor), Ted Eccles (actor), Fritz Feld (actor), Joseph Gazal (actor), Leo Gorcey (actor), Huntz Hall (actor), Michael Ansara (actor),

Plot: An athlete, a campus militant, a black model, and an American Indian are picked by a computer (shaped like a woman) to form a rock group called the Phynx and go on tour in Albania where American show biz people have been kidnapped by Communists. Some of the stars that the phony band rescues: Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O'Sullivan (the most famous movie Tarzan and Jane), Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall (the Bowery Boys), Ed Sullivan, James Brown, Colonel Sanders, Guy Lombardo, Andy Devine, Ruby Keeler, Edgar Bergen, Butterfly McQueen, Jay Silverheels (Tonto), Rudy Vallee, Xavier Cugat, Trini Lopez, Dick Clark, Richard Pryor, Harold "Oddjob" Sakata, George Jessel, and Rhona Barrett. Warner Bros. Studios thought it was so bad that they decided at the last minute not to release it!

Keywords: albania, castle, communist, computer, copenhagen-denmark, espionage, kidnapping, london-england, orgy, recording
Genres: Comedy, Music,
Taglines: Of all the American heroes who served their country in it's hour of need - only one had a great rock sound...

Little Toot (1954)

Actors: The Andrews Sisters (actress), Laverne Andrews (actress), Maxene Andrews (actress), Patty Andrews (actress), Walt Disney (producer), William Cottrell (writer), Hardie Gramatky (writer), Jesse Marsh (writer), Eliot Daniel (composer), Ken Darby (composer), Clyde Geronimi (director),

Plot: Little Toot is a baby tugboat who would rather play than help his father in New York harbor. When he does finally decide to help, he accidentally causes a major crash and is banished beyond the 12 mile limit. But when a storm comes up and strands an ocean liner, he's the only one that can get there, and he redeems himself.

Keywords: anthropomorphic-boat, anthropomorphic-water, anthropomorphism, banishment, bird, boat, bravery, brooklyn-bridge, cartoon-bird, cartoon-seagull
Genres: Animation, Family, Musical, Short,

Melody Time (1948)

Actors: Buddy Clark (actor), Pinto Colvig (actor), Dennis Day (actor), Bobby Driscoll (actor), Hugh Farr (actor), Karl Farr (actor), Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians (actor), Freddy Martin (actor), Dal McKennon (actor), Bob Nolan (actor), Sons of the Pioneers (actor), Roy Rogers (actor), Tim Spencer (actor), Trigger (actor), Pat Brady (actor),

Plot: Segments: "Once Upon a Wintertime," two lovers rescued from an icy river by friendly animals; "Bumble Boogie," bee beset by musical instruments and symbols come to life; "Johnny Appleseed," story of the legendary pioneer tree-planter; "Trees," mood piece set to musical treatment of Joyce Kilmer's poem; "Little Toot," story of a heroic little tugboat who saves an ocean liner; "Blame it on the Samba," Donald Duck and Jose Carioca have the blues blown away at a Latin cafe; "Pecos Bill," story of the legendary cowpoke, his trusty mount Widowmaker and his sweetheart Slue Foot Sue.

Keywords: 1800s, 1940s, 19th-century, american-folklore, anthology, apple-core-game, aracuan-bird, coyote, disney-animated-feature, feral-child
Genres: Animation, Family, Music,
Taglines: For Your All-Time Good Time! 7 HIT SONGS! 11 MUSICAL STARS! (original ad - all caps) Walt Disney's GREAT NEW MUSICAL COMEDY (original ad - many caps)

Quotes:

[introduction to "Little Toot"]::Master of Ceremonies: There's drama, there's excitement, and there's harmony for three in a story of adventure on the sea. Now, featured in this epic is a ship of proud design. No, it's not this ocean liner. We take a different line. So with a huff and a puff and a chug-chug-chug, and a perky little hoot, we introduce our hero, the tugboat, Little Toot.

[introduction to "Pecos Bill"]::Master of Ceremonies: Here's a tall tale straight from the chuck wagon, just the way the old-timers used to tell it. According to them, Pecos Bill was the roughest, toughest, rootin'est, tootin'est, shootin'est cowpoke that ever lived. Well, any story about old Pecos is bound to be right strong medicine, so maybe it's best to sashay into it kinda gentle-like.

[introduction to "Blame It On the Samba"]::Master of Ceremonies: The intoxicating rhythm of the samba. A talented miss serves a musical cocktail with a true Latin American fling. So if three boisterous birds of a feather fall under the influence of this torrid tropical tempo, don't blame them, blame it on the rhythm of the samba.

Hollywood Canteen (1944)

Actors: Marvin Bailey (actor), Jack Benny (actor), Paul Brooks (actor), Joe E. Brown (actor), Dwight Butcher (actor), Eddie Cantor (actor), Jack Carson (actor), Carmen Cavallaro (actor), Dane Clark (actor), Jack Coffey (actor), Helmut Dantine (actor), John Dehner (actor), Jimmy Dorsey (actor), Ralph Dunn (actor), William Alcorn (actor),

Plot: Two soldiers on sick leave spend three nights at the Hollywood Canteen before going back to active duty. With a little friendly help from John Garfield, Slim gets to kiss Joan Leslie, whom he has been dreaming about while in the Pacific. He meets her later at the Farmer's Market. On the third night, Slim is the millionth man into the Canteen, earning him a date with Joan. Slim thinks he's been duped when she doesn't show up at his train. Slim's buddy Sergant dances with Joan Crawford. Canteen President Bette Davis praises the canteen and the war effort. Virtually everyone Warners could spare entertains.

Keywords: dancing-horse, hollywood, hollywood-sign, hollywoodland, horse, kiss, obsessed-fan, purple-heart, shore-leave, soldier
Genres: Comedy, Musical, Romance,
Taglines: 62 Stars in Warners' Biggest Ever! Songs Galore!

Quotes:

Jane Wyman: I've been Reagan-ized!

[after unintentionally scaring away a marine sergeant]::Peter Lorre: [sadly] All I wanted to ask him is to join me in a cigarette!::Sydney Greenstreet: He didn't trust us, Peter.::Peter Lorre: No... and we are such gentle people!::Sydney Greenstreet: ...Are we?::Peter Lorre: [Backs away, frightened]

How's About It (1943)

Actors: Walter Catlett (actor), Fred Cordova (actor), Louis Da Pron (actor), Sayre Dearing (actor), Gus Glassmire (actor), William Haade (actor), John Harmon (actor), Harry Hayden (actor), Shemp Howard (actor), Eddie Kane (actor), Harold Miller (actor), Jack Norton (actor), William H. O'Brien (actor), Buddy Rich and His Orchestra (actor), David Bruce (actor),

Plot: Marion Bliss, a frustrated poetess, brings a lawsuit that alleges her pet verse has been purloined by the head, George Selby, of a giant music publishing house. Alf is a less-than- adequate process server creating problems, while the Andrews Sisters are elevator operators at the company who break out singing at every opportunity.

Keywords: 1940s, actor-shares-first-and-last-name-with-character, actor-shares-first-name-with-character, actor-shares-full-name-with-character, actress-shares-first-and-last-name-with-character, actress-shares-first-name-with-character, actress-shares-full-name-with-character, b-movie, bandleader, cigarette-girl
Genres: Comedy, Music,
Taglines: THE NATION'S TOP TUNE-TRIO in a rug-cuttin' song fest! IT'S THE SING AND SWING TREAT OF 1943! (original poster-all caps) THE SINGIEST SWINGEST TUNE TREAT OF 1943! (original print ad-all caps) THE NATION'S TOP TUNE TRIO..in 1943'S TOP TUNE-TREAT! (original print ad) 1943'S TOP TUNE-TREAT! (original print ad-all caps) THOSE TERRIFIC QUEENS of the MUSIC MACHINES!

Swingtime Johnny (1943)

Actors: Mitchell Ayres (actor), Roy Brent (actor), Heinie Conklin (actor), Peter Cookson (actor), Tom Dugan (actor), Charlie Hall (actor), John Hamilton (actor), Harry Harvey (actor), Herbert Heywood (actor), Lew Kelly (actor), Perc Launders (actor), Alphonse Martell (actor), Mitchell Ayres Orchestra (actor), William 'Bill' Phillips (actor), Eddie Acuff (actor),

Plot: The Andrews Sisters take a hiatus from show business to aid the war effort. They take on jobs at a pipe-organ plant now making artillery shells. But they still find time for plenty of singing and dancing.

Keywords: 1940s, actress-shares-first-and-last-name-with-character, actress-shares-first-name-with-character, actress-shares-last-name-with-character, artillery-shell, b-movie, boogie-woogie, burlesque, california, carnival
Genres: Comedy, Music,

Private Buckaroo (1942)

Actors: Wade Boteler (actor), Eddie Bruce (actor), George Chandler (actor), Jimmy Conlin (actor), Richard Davies (actor), Roland Dupree (actor), Pat Flaherty (actor), Dick Foran (actor), Joe Geil (actor), Edmund Glover (actor), Huntz Hall (actor), Harry James and His Music Makers (actor), Shemp Howard (actor), Harry James (actor), Eddie Acuff (actor),

Plot: A Universal Army enlistment promotion, produced as a musical showcase for Harry James, the Andrews Sisters, Joe E. Lewis, and Donald O'Connor & Peggy Ryan. The film's thin plot has James drafted, and joining him is the band's lead vocalist Lon Prentice (Dick Foran), who doesn't believe that Army training and regulations are necessary for anyone of his skill and fame. Shemp Howard steals the film whenever James and the Andrews aren't performing. As Sgt. Snavely, he's effectively teamed with Mary Wickes as his shrewish fiancée, trying desperately to keep her away from the attentions of nightclub comic and USO performer Lancelot Pringle McBiff (Joe E. Lewis). Shemp also has the opportunity to clown onstage with the Andrews Sisters during a musical finale, as they perform Don't Sit Under the Appletree. Arguably, Shemp's best solo feature film credit.

Keywords: 1940s, actor-shares-first-and-last-name-with-character, actor-shares-first-name-with-character, actor-shares-last-name-with-character, archive-footage, army-base, army-buddy, bandleader, canteen, cigarette-smoking
Genres: Comedy, Music, Romance, War,
Taglines: YEAH MAN! EVEN THE JEEPS ARE JIVIN'!...when these music-makers swing out with an Army band and get hep with a host of U.S. Oh! Honeys! (original poster) IT JUMPS! IT JIVES! It rocks with red hot rhythm! (original poster) The Hottest Band in All the Land and that Top Trio of Tuneful Treats!

Buck Privates (1941)

Actors: Al Billings (actor), Stanley Blystone (actor), Lee Bowman (actor), John Butler (actor), John L. Cason (actor), Charles Coleman (actor), Tom Coleman (actor), Dean Collins (actor), Frank Cook (actor), Lou Costello (actor), Pat Costello (actor), Alan Curtis (actor), Frankie Dolan (actor), Kenne Duncan (actor), Bud Abbott (actor),

Plot: Bud and Lou enlist in the army in order to escape being hauled off to jail, and soon find themselves in boot camp. To their dismay, the company's drill instructor is none other than the cop who was all set to run them off to the hoosegow in the first place! The boys end up having a whale of a time getting under the skin of their humourless nemesis.

Keywords: 1940s, abbott-and-costello, american-soldier, army, black-eye, boxer, boxing, boxing-match, boxing-ring, bugler
Genres: Comedy, Musical,

Quotes:

Slicker Smith: You're 40 years-old and you're in love with this little girl that's 10 years-old. You're four times as old as that girl and you couldn't marry her, could you?::Herbie Brown: Not unless I come from the mountains.::Slicker Smith: All right- you're 40 years-old, you're four times as old as this girl, and you can't marry her, so you wait five years. By that time the little girl's 15 and you're 45. You're only three times as old as that little girl. So you wait 15 years and when the girl is 30, you're at 60. You're only twice as old as that little girl.::Herbie Brown: She's catching up.::Slicker Smith: Yes, yes. Now here's the question. How long do you have to wait until you and that little girl are the same age?::Herbie Brown: Now what kinda question is that? That's ridiculous!::Slicker Smith: Ridiculous or not, answer the question.::Herbie Brown: If I wait for that girl she'll pass me up. She'll wind up older than I am.::Slicker Smith: What are you talking about?::Herbie Brown: She'll have to wait for me!::Slicker Smith: Why should she wait for you?::Herbie Brown: ...I was nice enough to wait for her!

Slicker Smith: Throw your chest out! Go on! Throw your chest out!::Herbie Brown: I'm not through with it yet!::Slicker Smith: Quiet!

Herbie Brown: What time is it?::Slicker Smith: None of your business! [completely ad-libbed during the drill routine. Abbott didn't know it was coming but delivered his response flawlessly]

Slicker Smith: [Herbie mumbles something during a drill routine] What did you say?::Herbie Brown: I'm just talking to myself.::Slicker Smith: Well, don't talk so loud!::Herbie Brown: Well, I gotta hear what I have to say.

Hold That Ghost (1941)

Actors: Mischa Auer (actor), Bobby Barber (actor), Ralph Brooks (actor), Richard Carlson (actor), Spencer Charters (actor), Lou Costello (actor), William B. Davidson (actor), Edgar Dearing (actor), Paul Fix (actor), Thurston Hall (actor), Chuck Hamilton (actor), Harry Hayden (actor), Hans Herbert (actor), Howard C. Hickman (actor), Bud Abbott (actor),

Plot: Two bumbling service station attendants are left as the sole beneficiaries in a gangster's will. Their trip to claim their fortune is sidetracked when they are stranded in a haunted house along with several other strangers.

Keywords: abbott-and-costello, animated-title-sequence, bag-of-money, bus, candle, chase, deception, dice-game, doctor, fired-from-the-job
Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Music, Mystery, Thriller,
Taglines: 9 ALL-TIME SONG HITS (re-release print ad - all caps) THOSE SLAP-HAPPY SCREAMSTERS GO A'HAUNTING! (original print ad - all caps) Here's That ALL-AMERICAN LAUGH TEAM! (original ad) YOUR FAVORITE FUNSTERS give you more merriment than in 'BUCK PRIVATES" or 'IN THE NAVY"...with their merriest cast! (original ad) A-HAUNTING WE WILL GO! Your blues won't stand a ghost of a chance...as they top "Buck Privates" and "In the Navy."! (original poster) THOSE FUNATICS ARE HERE AGAIN! Forget the News! Shake the Blues! (original poster) THOSE FUNATICS ARE HERE AGAIN! Your blues won't stand a ghost of a chance! (original ad)

Quotes:

Ferdie: I called 42 Oh, Chucks and you didn't come in.::Chuck: I came in as soon as you hollered "Oh, Chuck!"::Ferdie: From now on, don't wait for me to say "Oh, Chuck!" Get in here on the "Oh!"

Camille: You boys ready to leave?::Ferdie: I was ready to leave when he put the key in the front door to come in!

Ferdie: Look, from now on, keep one eye on that candle, another eye on that one, and with the other eye watch me!

Ferdie: [to Camille] With one eye, watch that candle, with the other eye watch the other candle, and with the other eye, watch me.

Ferdie: [to Chuck] I was playing choo-choo train! Aww you never let me have any fun.

Camille: Are you a married man?::Ferdie: No.::Camille: Neither am I. [to Chuck] He's old enough, isn't he?::Ferdie: Oh sure I'm old enough, I play games, I play post office.::Camille: Post office? That's a kids' game.::Ferdie: Not the way I play.

Ferdie: [looking at an old house with no paint] What did I tell you, Chuck? Anyplace painted dark brown, I never liked it.

Ferdie: Somebody blew out my candle!::Chuck: That was the wind.::Ferdie: Since when does the wind eat garlic?

Ted Lewis: Is everybody happy?

Ferdie: If you see a pair of pants go flyin' through the air, don't grab 'em.::Chuck: Why not?::Ferdie: I'll be in 'em!

In the Navy (1941)

Actors: Richard Alexander (actor), Hooper Atchley (actor), Bobby Barber (actor), Joe Bautista (actor), Gary Breckner (actor), Ralph Brooks (actor), Kenneth Brown (actor), The Condos Brothers (actor), Frank Condos (actor), Harry Condos (actor), Lou Costello (actor), Richard Crane (actor), Harold Daniels (actor), William B. Davidson (actor), Bud Abbott (actor),

Plot: Russ Raymond, America's number one crooner, disappears and joins the Navy under the name Tommy Halstead. Dorothy Roberts, a magazine journalist, is intent on finding out what happened to Russ and she tries everything she can to get a picture of him to prove he's Russ Raymond. Tommy's friends, Pomeroy Watson and Smokey Adams,help him while Pomeroy writes love letters to Patty Andrews. But because Smokey makes Pomeroy lie about himself in the letters, and when Patty comes to the Navy base, she's furious at Pomeroy. When Pomeroy, Smokey, Tommy and the Andrews sisters set sail for Hawaii, Pomeroy discovers there's a tomato in the potato locker, and she's been snapping shots of Tommy the whole trip. Whether Pomeroy's proving that 7 x 13 = 28 - three different ways, having Smokey help him play ship captain for Patty, or falling out of his hammock, it's an Abbott and Costello classic.

Keywords: 1940s, abbott-and-costello, announcer, archive-footage, battleship, brawl, brig, california, chase, cigar-smoking
Genres: Comedy, Musical, Romance,
Taglines: The Navy's All At Sea...With Those Riotous "BUCK PRIVATES"! They'll torpedo your troubles and blitz your blues...with waves of laughter and a barrage of boogie-woogie! You'll Boogie-Woogie to: "We're In The Navy" - "Hula-Ba-Luau" - "Gimme Some Skin"...and sing and sway to other songsations! THE FLEET'S ALL IN...Since Those Riotous "Buck Privates" Abbott and Costello Joined Up! (original poster)

Quotes:

Smokey Adams: Did you ever go to school, stupid?::Seaman Pomeroy Watson: Yeah, and I come out the same way.