Laugh It Off
Cast & Crew
Albert S. Rogell
Johnny Downs
Constance Moore
Marjorie Rambeau
Cecil Cunningham
Hedda Hopper
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Mary Carter, Sylvia Swan, Elizabeth Rockingham and Tess Gibson, four old-time actresses, are comfortably ensconsed at the Havenrest Home for aged troupers when they suddenly find themselves on the streets after the estate of the late Stanley Spencer, the home's trustee, declares bankruptcy. Determined to save the home, Tess convinces her three friends to accompany her to New York, where her nephew Stephen Hannis, practices law. In a New York courtroom, Tess finds Steve, who is a far better musician than lawyer, and Steve agrees to visit Stanley's niece Ruth, the only surviving member of the Spencer family, to recover the Havenrest funds. When they meet Ruth, however, they find that she is broke but sympathetic to the plight of the women. Her first plan of action scrapped, Tess decides to solicit Lizzie's estranged son-in-law, Barney "Gimpy" Cole, the owner of the Club Clover, for the money. At the club, Tess hits a winning streak at the crap table when the police appear and raid the place. Although they are represented by Steve, the judge gives the ladies ten days to establish financial solvency, or be sentenced to the poorhouse. Gimpy, who is broke and threatened by Phil Ferranti, the gambler to whom he owes $30,0000, invites the four to stay with him in his penthouse, where Tess has the brilliant idea of reopening the Club Clover as a nightclub. Steve organizes a band while Tess exploits the publicity angle of four old "broads" having to sing to stay out of the poorhouse. Tess's publicity campaign embarrasses Mary's son, a mayoral candidate, and Sylvia's brother, a prominent physician, who get a restraining order to prevent their relatives from performing in the show. On opening night, Tess convinces Ferranti to take a percentage of the club as payment for Gimpy's debt, and after the deputy delivering the restraining order is locked in the freezer, the show goes on to rave reviews and smashing success.
Director
Albert S. Rogell
Cast
Johnny Downs
Constance Moore
Marjorie Rambeau
Cecil Cunningham
Hedda Hopper
Janet Beecher
Edgar Kennedy
Tom Dugan
William Demarest
Horace Mcmahon
Paula Stone
Chester Clute
Lillian West
Louise Bates
Tony Gabcoch
Jack Norton
Alan Edwards
Tom Chatterton
Betty Roadman
Danny Webb
Ruth Rickaby
John Dilson
Gertrude W. Hoffman
Pat West
Claire Whitney
Jack Kenny
Brooks Benedict
Dick Rush
Francis Sayles
Charles Mcmurphy
Frank O'connor
Jack Gardner
Crew
Jesse Bastian
Mort Braus
Bernard B. Brown
Milton Carruth
Larry Ceballos
Charles H. Clarke
Harry Clork
Stanley Cortez
R. A. Gausman
Hal Herman
Vernon Keays
Sam Lerner
Lee Loeb
Lee Loeb
Ben Oakland
Jack Otterson
Charles Previn
Albert S. Rogell
Henry Spitz
Vera West
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
The working title of this picture was Listen Kids. Although a print of this film was not viewed, the above credits and plot summary were taken from a cutting continuity included in the studio files. A Hollywood Reporter production chart includes Vernon Keays as assistant director.
