The sitcom like structure of the Blondie series never seemed more apparent in this episode of the film series where Blondie and Dagwood become involved in a local community theater's fundraising attempt for the war effort by putting on a serious play. Everything that can go wrong does go wrong, and the play ends up coming off more like a farcial comedy than the period melodrama it is supposed to be. If you thought the Ricardos and Mertzes working with Tallulah Bankhead for the PTA on The Lucy/Desi Comedy Hour was funny wait till you see the antics that go on in this one!
Future Film Noir femme fatale Ann Savage is the guest star in this entry, playing a serious actress who as the daughter of Jonathan Hale's business client Thurston Hall, creates tension for Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake. In addition, Rafael storm is cast as the apparent Latin lothario whose interest in Savage doesn't seem to be fully romantic. the film hits its height during the on stage and backstage Antics, with trap doors opening unexpectedly, a magician's jacket utilized by Lake instead of the suit jacket he intended to wear, and various other see a trickle disasters such as forgotten lines, wardrobe malfunctions and the presence of dog Daisy on Savage's dress during her dramatic entrance.
This was the last series appearance for Irving Bacon as the long suffering postman, and also features plump Grayce Hale as Mr. Dithers' domineering wife, hysterically cast as the French maid and utilizing a truly outrageous accent. Larry Simms finally gets to be just Alexander with the "Baby Dumpling" moniker thankfully retired. Marjorie Ann Mutchie gets a few good lines as Cookie but will never top Simms' early appearances as far as cuteness and pretentiousness goes. This was supposed to be the last installment but returned two years later due to audience demands.
Future Film Noir femme fatale Ann Savage is the guest star in this entry, playing a serious actress who as the daughter of Jonathan Hale's business client Thurston Hall, creates tension for Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake. In addition, Rafael storm is cast as the apparent Latin lothario whose interest in Savage doesn't seem to be fully romantic. the film hits its height during the on stage and backstage Antics, with trap doors opening unexpectedly, a magician's jacket utilized by Lake instead of the suit jacket he intended to wear, and various other see a trickle disasters such as forgotten lines, wardrobe malfunctions and the presence of dog Daisy on Savage's dress during her dramatic entrance.
This was the last series appearance for Irving Bacon as the long suffering postman, and also features plump Grayce Hale as Mr. Dithers' domineering wife, hysterically cast as the French maid and utilizing a truly outrageous accent. Larry Simms finally gets to be just Alexander with the "Baby Dumpling" moniker thankfully retired. Marjorie Ann Mutchie gets a few good lines as Cookie but will never top Simms' early appearances as far as cuteness and pretentiousness goes. This was supposed to be the last installment but returned two years later due to audience demands.