Penny Singleton (Blondie Bumstead), Arthur Lake (Dagwood Bumstead), Larry Simms (Alexander Bumstead), Marjorie Kent ("Cookie" Bumstead), Jerome Cowan (M.R. Radcliffe), Lloyd Corrigan (J.B. Hutchins), Danny Mummert (Alvin Fuddle), James Flavin (Brophy), Dick Wessel (mailman), Ray Teal (Brophy's accomplice), Alyn Lockwood (Mary), Ann Carter (Louise Hutchins), George Humbert (cafe proprietor), Maurice Cass (antique dealer), and "Daisy".
Director: EDWARD BERNDS. Screenplay: Jack Henley. Based on characters created by Chic Young. Photography: Vincent Farrar. Film editor: Henry Batista. Art director: Perry Smith. Set decorator: George Montgomery. Music director: Mischa Bakaleinikoff. Producer: Ted Richmond.
Copyright 29 September 1949 by Columbia Pictures Corp. New York opening at the Palace: 8 September 1949. U.S. release: 6 October 1949. U.K. release: 28 November 1949. Australian release: 17 November 1949. 5,862 feet. 65 minutes.
U.K. release title: HITTING THE JACKPOT.
SYNOPSIS: Dagwood loses job, Dagwood finds job. Dagwood loses job, Dagwood gets his old job back.
NOTES: Number 26 of the 28-picture series.
COMMENT: Eddie Acuff is dropped from "Blondie Hits the Jackpot" (he is supposed to be on vacation) and Dick Wessel takes his place, allowing the development of a couple more amusing variations on the series' most notable running gag.
Otherwise the thin plot of this one which originally ran 66 minutes on theatrical release suffers from being brought up to 75 minutes with the use of out-takes, particularly a scene which veers dangerously close to embarrassing sentiment, and an extended and tedious anti-climax which doesn't amount to anything because the dog was not used in the sequel after all (which was doubtless why it was originally omitted from the theatrical release prints).
All the same, the direction by Edward Bernds' scores as a trifle more stylish than usual (we like the truck running over the camera, and he even uses a few reverse angles). The script also allows for a few quick montages of comic strip type gags which are mildly amusing.
A bit of money has been spent on the production with an obviously real building site being used, plus glossy photography.
Unfortunately, the screenplay does not make room for the introduction of the customary host of support players, aside from James Flavin (registering some strong reaction shots) and Ray Teal. Cowan over- acts as usual, Kent has a negligible part as usual, but Master Simms acquits himself well in what is undoubtedly his biggest part in the entire series while Miss Carter is the very model of a spoiled brat. Lake and Singleton are as usual.
The title as usual is not apt — Blondie Misses the Jackpot in fact!
Director: EDWARD BERNDS. Screenplay: Jack Henley. Based on characters created by Chic Young. Photography: Vincent Farrar. Film editor: Henry Batista. Art director: Perry Smith. Set decorator: George Montgomery. Music director: Mischa Bakaleinikoff. Producer: Ted Richmond.
Copyright 29 September 1949 by Columbia Pictures Corp. New York opening at the Palace: 8 September 1949. U.S. release: 6 October 1949. U.K. release: 28 November 1949. Australian release: 17 November 1949. 5,862 feet. 65 minutes.
U.K. release title: HITTING THE JACKPOT.
SYNOPSIS: Dagwood loses job, Dagwood finds job. Dagwood loses job, Dagwood gets his old job back.
NOTES: Number 26 of the 28-picture series.
COMMENT: Eddie Acuff is dropped from "Blondie Hits the Jackpot" (he is supposed to be on vacation) and Dick Wessel takes his place, allowing the development of a couple more amusing variations on the series' most notable running gag.
Otherwise the thin plot of this one which originally ran 66 minutes on theatrical release suffers from being brought up to 75 minutes with the use of out-takes, particularly a scene which veers dangerously close to embarrassing sentiment, and an extended and tedious anti-climax which doesn't amount to anything because the dog was not used in the sequel after all (which was doubtless why it was originally omitted from the theatrical release prints).
All the same, the direction by Edward Bernds' scores as a trifle more stylish than usual (we like the truck running over the camera, and he even uses a few reverse angles). The script also allows for a few quick montages of comic strip type gags which are mildly amusing.
A bit of money has been spent on the production with an obviously real building site being used, plus glossy photography.
Unfortunately, the screenplay does not make room for the introduction of the customary host of support players, aside from James Flavin (registering some strong reaction shots) and Ray Teal. Cowan over- acts as usual, Kent has a negligible part as usual, but Master Simms acquits himself well in what is undoubtedly his biggest part in the entire series while Miss Carter is the very model of a spoiled brat. Lake and Singleton are as usual.
The title as usual is not apt — Blondie Misses the Jackpot in fact!