Melody Time (1948)

Actors: Winston Hibler (writer), Karl Farr (actor), Walt Disney (producer), Homer Brightman (writer), Hugh Farr (actor), Trigger (actor), Frances Langford (actress), Pat Brady (actor), Dal McKennon (actor), Bob Nolan (actor), Sons of the Pioneers (actor), Roy Rogers (actor), Tim Spencer (actor), Paul J. Smith (composer), Pinto Colvig (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.

Follow the Boys (1944)

Actors: Charles Butterworth (actor), Lon Chaney Jr. (actor), Nigel Bruce (actor), Walter Abel (actor), Lane Chandler (actor), Charles D. Brown (actor), Noah Beery Jr. (actor), Stanley Andrews (actor), William 'Billy' Benedict (actor), Lee Bennett (actor), Turhan Bey (actor), John L. Cason (actor), Bobby Barber (actor), Steve Brodie (actor), Wallis Clark (actor),

Plot: During World War II, all the studios put out "all-star" vehicles which featured virtually every star on the lot--often playing themselves--in musical numbers and comedy skits, and were meant as morale-boosters to both the troops overseas and the civilians at home. This was Universal Pictures' effort. It features everyone from Donald O'Connor to the Andrews Sisters to Orson Welles to W.C. Fields to George Raft to Marlene Dietrich, and dozens of other Universal players.

Keywords: 1940s, actor, actress, american-flag, archive-footage, army-base, ballet, cigarette-smoking, dancer, dancing
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Musical, War,
Taglines: Hollywood's Biggest Stars Come Together For A Great Cause!

Quotes:

Gloria Vance: You have no inhibitions, have you?::Tony West: I can't afford them.

W.C. Fields: You can count on me. You can always find me at Little Joe's Cream Puff Emporium.

Hollywood Canteen (1944)

Actors: Jonathan Hale (actor), Paul Henreid (actor), Jack Carson (actor), Richard Erdman (actor), Alan Hale (actor), Victor Francen (actor), John Garfield (actor), James Flavin (actor), Dane Clark (actor), Joe E. Brown (actor), Jack Benny (actor), John Dehner (actor), Eddie Cantor (actor), Ralph Dunn (actor), Robert Hutton (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, who 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]

Moonlight and Cactus (1944)

Actors: Murray Alper (actor), Ray Snyder (editor), Leo Carrillo (actor), Shemp Howard (actor), Tom Kennedy (actor), Frank Lackteen (actor), Edward F. Cline (director), Eddie Quillan (actor), Tom Seidel (actor), Harry Tenbrook (actor), Paul Girard Smith (writer), Frank Gross (producer), Minerva Urecal (actress), Elyse Knox (actress), Jacqueline deWit (actress),

Plot: Petty Officer Tom Garrison ('Tom Seidel' (qv))of the Merchant Marines returns on shore leave to his cattle ranch, and brings with him shipmates "Stubby" ('Eddie Quillan' (qv)),"Slugger" ('Murray Alper' (qv)),"Punchy" ('Shemp Howard' (qv)), and "Lucky" ('Tom Kennedy (I)' (qv)). At the ranch, Tom finds that because of WWII manpower shortage, women have taken over operating the ranch. Heading the cowgirls are 'Patty Andrews' (qv), 'Maxene Andrews' (qv), 'Laverne Andrews' (qv), Lou Ferguson ('Elyse Knox' (qv)) and Abigail ('Minerva Urecal' (qv)). Lou tells Tom that a large number of cattle have been mysteriously disappearing, and they decide to hire neighboring rancher Pasqualito ('Leo Carrillo' (qv)), who makes claims to being a great detective, and his assistant, Ogala ('Frank Lackteen' (qv)), an Indian. Tom's cattle show up on Pasqualito's ranchero, but he has an excuse.

Keywords: actor-shares-first-and-last-name-with-character, actor-shares-first-name-with-character, actor-shares-last-name-with-character, actress-shares-first-and-last-name-with-character, actress-shares-first-name-with-character, actress-shares-last-name-with-character, b-movie, b-western, barbecue, california
Genres: Comedy, Music, Western,
Taglines: THE GALS HAVE TAKEN OVER THE OLD WEST WITH RHYTHM! It's Rootin', Tootin' Swing and Sway! A Rodeo Round-up of Rhythm and Saddle Sweeties! (original ad) A rhythm-rockin' round-up of hard ridin'. hard-lovin' hombres! (original ad)

What's Cookin'? (1942)

Actors: Donald O'Connor (actor), Robert Paige (actor), Charles Butterworth (actor), Eddie Acuff (actor), Charles Coleman (actor), Charles Lane (actor), Leonard Carey (actor), Herbert Evans (actor), Edward Gargan (actor), Leo Carrillo (actor), Jack George (actor), Harry Harvey (actor), Boyd Davis (actor), Charles Cane (actor), Franklin Pangborn (actor),

Plot: J. P. Courtney ('Charles Butterworth (I)' (qv)) wants to update the music on the radio program he sponsors, but his wife, Agatha Courtney ('Billie Burke' (qv)), is the final authority and addicted to the classics and won't allow him to replace Professor Bistell ('Franklin Pangborn' (qv)) and his symphonic orchestra. Conspiring with his daughter Sue ('Gloria Jean (I)' (qv)) and her friends, Marvo the Great ('Leo Carrillo' (qv)), the Andrews Sisters, Anne Payne ('Jane Frazee' (qv) and bandleader Woody Herman ('Woody Herman' (qv)), they devise a sabotage plot that gets rid of Professor Bistell, and a new sound is soon heard on the program.

Keywords: 1940s, announcer, b-movie, boogie-woogie, broadcasting, butler, cigar-smoking, cigarette-smoking, clarinet, classical-music
Genres: Comedy, Music,
Taglines: It's A Swingeroo... Rootin', zootin' swing-stars... 'teen-stars... hot licks and hep-cats!

Buck Privates (1941)

Actors: William Gould (actor), Harold Goodwin (actor), Franklyn Farnum (actor), James Flavin (actor), Stanley Blystone (actor), Tom Coleman (actor), Bud Abbott (actor), Lee Bowman (actor), John Butler (actor), Lou Costello (actor), John L. Cason (actor), Alan Curtis (actor), Charles Coleman (actor), Kenne Duncan (actor), Eddie Hall (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]

Hold That Ghost (1941)

Actors: Mischa Auer (actor), Bud Abbott (actor), Ralph Brooks (actor), Richard Carlson (actor), Spencer Charters (actor), Bobby Barber (actor), William B. Davidson (actor), Edgar Dearing (actor), Paul Fix (actor), Thurston Hall (actor), Chuck Hamilton (actor), Harry Hayden (actor), Lou Costello (actor), Howard C. Hickman (actor), Russell Hicks (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: He's all tied up and he's got a something in his mouth.::Chuck: He had a gag in his mouth.::Ferdie: If he did he never got a chance to tell it.

Camille: What's on him, a cobweb?::Ferdie: It ain't a wedding veil.

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?