Artists and Models 1937 N/R, 97 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Raoul Walsh Cast: Jack Benny, Ida Lupino, Richard Arlen, Gail Patrick, Ben Blue, Judy Canova, Cecil Cunningham, Donald Meek, Hedda Hopper, Martha Raye
Paula (Ida Lupino) pretends to be an "upper-cruster" in this film that is a showcase for music and specialty acts. Louis Armstrong's orchestra, Andre Kostelanetz and his orchestra, cyclers, jugglers, tumblers, etc., all make for an overall fun movie.
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The Big Broadcast of 1938 1938 N/R, 88 min. Genre: Comedy / Musical / Romance
Director: Mitchell Leisen Cast: W.C. Fields, Martha Raye, Dorothy Lamour, Shirley Ross, Lynne Overman, Bob Hope, Ben Blue, Leif Erickson, Patricia Wlder, Lionel Pape, Russell Hicks, Grace Bradley, Rufe Davis, Virginia Vale, Kirsten Flagstad
The series of "Big Broadcasts" continues. This time around, the setting is aboard an ocean liner, the S.S. Gigantic, that is owned by T. Frothingill Bellows (W.C. Fields). Bellows challenges another ship, the S.S. Challenger to a race while announcer Buzz Fielding (Bob Hopes) hosts shows aboard ship with popular stars of the day. Hope makes his film debut and sings the Academy Award-winning song, "Thanks for the Memories," and Martha Raye, Ben Blue, and Dorothy Lamour add to the humor.
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College Swing 1938 N/R, 86 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Raoul Walsh Cast: Gracie Allen, George Burns, Martha Raye, Bob Hope, Edward Everett Horton, Ben Blue, Betty Grable, Jackie Coogan, John Payne, Robert Cummings, Florence George
Gracie (Gracie Allen) inherits a college and turns it into a swinging vaudeville arena.
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Easy to Wed 1946 N/R, 106 min. Genre: Comedy / Romance / Musical
Director: Edward Buzzell Cast: Van Johnson, Esther Williams, Lucille Ball, Keenan Wynn, Cecil Kellaway, Carlos Ramirez, Ben Blue, Paul Harvey, June Lockhart, Grant Mitchell
Rich playgirl Connie (Esther Williams) sues newspaperman Warren Haggerty (Keenan Wynn) for the unflattering comments he made in his newspaper. Warren brings in his suave friend, Bill Chandler (Van Johnson), to change Connie's mind. Lots of songs and fun, with Lucille Ball providing many laughs in this musical remake of the 1936 comedy, "Libeled Lady."
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For Me and My Gal 1942 N/R, 104 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Busby Berkeley Cast: Judy Garland, George Murphy, Gene Kelly, Marta Eggerth, Ben Blue, Horace McNally, Richard Quine, Keenan Wynn
This film marks Gene Kelly's movie debut. The story is set during World War I and features Judy Garland and George Murphy, along with Kelly, as vaudevillians trying to get their breaks by playing the Palace. Classic songs include "For Me and My Gal" and "When You Wore a Tulip."
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Paris Honeymoon 1939 N/R, 92 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Frank Tuttle Cast: Bing Crosby, Franciska Gaal, Akim Tamiroff, Shirley Ross, Edward Everett Horton, Ben Blue, Rafaela Ottiano, Raymond Hatton, Luana Walters, Gregory Gaye
A Texas millionaire, Lucky Lawton (Bing Crosby), plans a honeymoon in Paris, but while visiting the city to make arrangements, he falls in love with Manya (Franciska Gaal) and his wedding plans are put on hold.
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The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! 1966 N/R, 126 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Norman Jewison Cast: Alan Arkin, Carl Reiner, Eva Marie Saint, John Phillip Law, Paul Ford, Tessie O'Shea, Brian Keith, Theodore Bikel, Ben Blue, Jonathan Winters
This story reveals the atmosphere of the Cold War in the 1960s. The plot involves the forced landing of Russian submariners off Nantucket and, in an alien land, the sailors find a mixed greeting from the Americans. Although a good farce, this film gives the viewer insight into a world gone slightly mad during the arms race. An Academy Award nomination was received for Best Picture, and Alan Arkin was nominated for Actor.
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Where Were You When the Lights Went Out? 1968 PG, 94 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Hy Averback Cast: Doris Day, Robert Morse, Terry-Thomas, Patrick O'Neal, Lola Albright, Steve Allen, Jim Backus, Ben Blue, Pat Paulsen, Earl Wilson
Set amidst the 9 November 1965 blackout in the Northeastern United States, this is an attempt-at-a-comedy about crises encountered during that long evening.
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| 1. Artists and Models (1937)
2. The Big Broadcast of 1938 (1938)
3. Cocoanut Grove (1938)
4. College Swing (1938)
5. Easy to Wed (1946)
6. For Me and My Gal (1942)
7. Paris Honeymoon (1939)
8. The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! (1966)
9. Where Were You When the Lights Went Out? (1968)
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