I had a maiden aunt, skinny nervous little thing who was always wringing her hands, my mother would say "Stop wringing your hands like Zasu Pitts1"

This is the only film to be accidentally nominated for an Oscar, on the 1942 ballot it was nominated for best original song for “pig foot Pete”, even though that song wasn’t from Hellzapoppin, it’s from keep ‘em flying, written by the same guys and also starring Martha raye

I recently heard of this film through another essay and watched it. My mind was blown, not just because of how hilarious the comedy is, but also, as you showed, how influential it was. I grew up watching the Looney Tunes (and a few years ago I restarted watching them and went "so this is where I got my sense of humour from!"), and watching this felt like finding the foundation of Looney Tunes' humour, basically a live action full-length Looney Tunes skit. It instantly became one of my favourite comedies of all time (Edited for spelling)

A delightful and compelling documentary. All honor to McCarey and Laughton. (And to Levity Light Classics!)

This was written by Pat Perrin who had written several Marx brothers films in the early 1930s so he was perfect for olson and Johnsons control chaos

Just found out your channel. It's really interesting what you're trying to bring to KZbin. We don't have many channels here that do video essays on classic films. I'm subscribed. I would love if you did a video about Busby Berkeley

One of my favorite movies. I love the songs in it. "Watch the Birdie" is my favorite. I tried watching the sequel film and it definetly isn't as good, which is really sad. I wish they had more chances into making another movie as good and crazy as this one

*Thank you very much.*

Classic American film! Perfection.

Nice. I wish you’ll also review”Merton of the Movies” 1947. A great forgotten Red Skeleton movie.

what a brilliant study, thanks so much!

Thanks for the show. So much comedic energy. Loved it!

I just keep hearing dialogue from What’s Up, Doc, in my head watching these scenes! (“Howard?! Howard Bannister?!!”…”Aww, Cmon Steve..no one wants to be with someone that’s gonna get old, and wrinkly” “But we’re ALL going to get old and Wrinkly!” “By NEXT WEEK?!”)

The Hays Code just forced writers to become clever!

You will enjoy this.

I thought this Movie was hilarious

Thanks a lot for this! Very informative and entertaining!

Great video

This is one of the craziest comedies I ever seen

Love this channel. My admiration of this film is immeasurable. This film is Hollywood and special thanks for acknowledging the genius Coen Brothers. Writer/Directors have a special need to deliver and Sturges is the king.

"Hellzapoppin'" is the pride of my DVD collection and a gift from a close friend. As someone who cherishes meta humor, this goes beyond Bob and Bing's "Road" pictures garnished with "Marx Brothers", "Abbott and Costello vaudeville brashness along with the Lindy Hoppers and comedienne Martha Raye showing some sex appeal. I love this flick. BTW, John P. Fulton is the greatest SPFX artist who ever lived.

Have seen this back when it was on British TV about every year, usually shortly before Christmas. It fits well with the kind of TV comedy back then: look up Spike Milligan, his radio show 'The Goon Show', his always-mutating stage show 'The Bed-Sitting Room' (also a rarely-seen movie) and TV series 'There's a Lot of it About', and the 'Q' series, 'Q6', 'Q7' etc. often anarchic, even making fun of the need to have and end or punchline being spoofed, considered mildly racist today, it's usually actually spoofing things considered normal at the time of his serving in WWII, when he nearly died, nearly went mad and he suffered from bipolar periods all his life post-WWII.

Thanks. Decades ago I recall seeing a film that had something like 10 straight minutes of zanyness before getting to the actual 'story'. The shot of the white horse with the tic-tac-toe on its hindquarter and the reference to Rosebud has now given me the name of that movie... ...or maybe not, as it might have even been a knock-off from later on. Question...did this duo open up their other films in such a manner?