Hellzapoppin' (1941)

Olsen and Johnson, a pair of stage comedians, try to turn their play into a movie and bring together a young couple in love, while breaking the fourth wall every step of the way.

[@celestelear]

Proud to say, Ole Olsen was my great grandfather!!! I have heard the BEST stories about him and his partner Johnson from my Grandmother Moya Lear before she passed away... These guys were truly comic legends and I hope their work will live on.

[@trikky2.2]

Nice one :) You say you hope their works lives on .... Here we are nearly 78 years later and still watching it. Only watching on KZbin as chilling out in bed and my DVD is downstairs :)

[@JOHNWALLACE.]

That's great history. Congratulations. Thank you for sharing this story.

[@EAST84100]

I like Olsen and Johnson more than Abbott and Costello!

[@debbianne2162]

Well, I did not know this about you! One of my favorite classics! xo

[@astrogeek99]

We watched this movie in the 1940s on our new 10" TV.

[@thestonedabbot9551]

"Hey! We're making a motion picture here!" "That's a matter of opinion."

[@jayeremy4456]

This film is so ahead of it's time, it's timeless. I often show this film to people and they are suspect because of the age but are then quickly overcome by it's charm.

[@catherinesophiereese672]

A TIMELESS MUST-SEE! I‘m pushing 60 and watched this movie with my Mom when I was a small child. My only recollection was that we laughed out loud nonstop from start to finish. An unparalleled absurdist, fourth-wall breaking comedy with zainy gags galore, great special effects considering it was 1941 and this show-stopping, breathtaking, arguably most iconic Lindy hop choreography in history. Just bought the DVD and finally watched it again twice in a row today, my late Mom’s would be 95th Birthday. Merci Maman >3 July 8, 2020

[@Vampwatch1462]

How the hell did you get it on DVD?

[@chevon1920]

This moving is the most adhd movie I think I’ve ever seen. I have no clue what’s going on, lol 🤣🤣

[@EAST84100]

That's why it's so good!

[@catherinewells2480]

What is not to love about this film....an underrated masterpiece of farce and surrealism.

[@billygarcia9885]

Writer: “Say, how many gags do you want in this picture?” Producer, grabbing Writer by Shirt Lapel: “EVERY. GAG. EVER.”

[@nolaboyb21]

These guys were clearly inspiration for Monty Python and Mel Brooks. 😂😂😂 I love slapstick comedy.

[@lionelgray]

Remember my mum telling me the story of when her father took her and her sister to see this film in London during ww2. She remembers the sounds of the air raid sirens starting and her dad laughing his head off at the film at the same time.

[@ajcarr1965]

Wow, that is a great story!

[@tubularap]

Not only breaking the 4th wall continuously, but also the 5th wall, with the operator. This movie is wild, and Mel Brooks may have to bow.

[@rbbonotto]

The world of vaudevillian and early-TV comedians was a small one, as I found out when I worked with one on a show. Brooks probably not only knew them but was friends with them.

[@tubularap]

@@jonboll-LGM - I agree. Mel Brooks was the only other comedy director I could think of, but he needs to bow to no one. I never liked the Police Squad stuff, so did not even consider that as comparable.

[@searchers]

I can't believe that, at the 8:25 mark, there is a tribute to CITIZEN KANE, made the same year. This is a brilliant,, legendary film that will never be bettered.

[@MrUnidyne]

The Lindy Hop sequence (48:00) is not merely dancing; It's defying gravity to music.

[@ceilinggod]

I came here for that scene only , and stayed for the entire movie ...

[@sethbarry8811]

Same ceilinggod

[@nubinikki]

Just wow.

[@AxelFendersson]

It's really all anyone remembers the film for. But at the same time, it's enough by itself to guarantee the film immortality.

[@ajcarr1965]

If you ever visit New Orleans, go to the lounge on the 4th floor of the Ritz Hotel on Canal St. They do the swing dancing & the lindy hop performance there. It's live and a sight to see!

[@monkeySkeptic]

This film has aged extremely well, and I would encourage anybody who likes it here to spend a few dollars and get the DVD. This KZbin version does not show it off nearly as well as it deserves.

[@donaldhume1934]

Thanks.. ...My dad wrote in his diary that he went ashore to see this when he was in the Pacific. He was 19 at the time, far from home, and WW II was still raging. Apparently Olsen an Johnson were also there making a USO tour I guess...

[@Smogshaik]

Thanks to both of you for those tidbits. I'm a European guy, just stumbled over this excellent movie by chance and it's now one of my favorites. After reading your comments I feel some sort of connection to those American lives from so long ago. Weird but also reassuring somehow.

[@RonWylie-gk5lc]

@@Smogshaik Same for me, I just cant imagine why this is not right up there with the greatest,

[@scribe570]

I consider this film to be the "Airplane" of its generation. By that I mean its Mad Magazine approach to humor. The idea is to do anything for a laugh, even if it breaks the fourth wall and interrupts the storyline. "Mrs. Jones" and "Oscar!" are just two of the hundreds of examples. This is the opposite of organic comedy. It's chaos and hilarious It was an attempt to capture some of the mayhem of the stage show, "Hellzapoppin'" which toured across the country. My father saw it in a theater. It had the same elements as the show put on in the movie, where Chic and Ole try to sabotage the production. Things happened all over the theater in the stage show version. However, the film went way beyond those gags and was ahead of its time using cinematic techniques to make comedy. The boys walk through various movie sets, their costumes changing as they go. They watch a large photo that becomes a movie that explains the film's plot thus far. The ice block melts to a cube. Catching arrows from the air. Suddenly, the two appear in a western film, thanks to problems with the projectionist. The film framing problem, where their image is above and below the line. Freeze framing in the "Watch the Birdie" song. Hugh Herbert's costume changing as he goes back and forth behind a tree. A magic trick gone awry as half of the boys' bodies disappear. I'm sure there are more cinematic tricks. I can't imagine what the impact of this film would have been when in it was released in the 1940s. Movies were just not that irreverent about the making of movies nor did they make fun of the time-honored love-story movie plots. I saw it as a kid in the 1950s on TV, and it had a huge effect on my ideas about comedy. Along with Mad Magazine and Stan Freberg, irreverent humor became my guiding light.

[@zetetick395]

Yeah, the Zucker bros definitely saw this! (Top Secret / The Naked Gun etc) - Also Mel Brooks movies like Blazing Saddles (particularly the final climactic act) / Young Frankenstein etc

[@owenorders5202]

So now you know where Monty Python's Flying Circus got its style and ideas from.

[@KenLieck]

More authentic performances of the stage version of Hellzapoppin', as presented live on TV in the 1950s, are also on YT, under the titles "Fireball Free For All" and O&J on the Milton Berle Show...

[@MTdaBlacking]

Surprised by how timeless the opening's humor is...

[@mariamdream]

I used to watch this almost every day as a little kid, my grandma gave me a few of her tapes and this was one of my favourites! I’m so happy it’s on KZbin 💗

[@AlexParkerEmcee]

I had an existential crisis watching this because every single person you see in this film is now deceased. it's like watching ghosts, and there's something oddly haunting about that. great film, though. my best friend showed it to me for the first time yesterday.

[@Rgoid]

“Miracle Pictures: If It’s a Good Picture, It’s A Miracle.”

[@RonWylie-gk5lc]

Lol, my favorite bit out of a great many is when {after finding "Rosebud"} and saying "I thought they burnt that" lol

[@liberte5847]

An incredible screwball movie ever! Merci beaucoup for this historical Hollywood original print remastered rendition rendez vous! Emmanuel from Paris France

[@theweirdofengland]

You’ve got to imagine watching this film for the first time in a cinema in the 1940’s. Groundbreakingly meta.

[@skyfire8950]

This was basically the “Airplane” of the 40s.

[@louismccarten4710]

Makes no sense. But it doesn't need to either. Just a lot of crazy one liners and visual gags. I particularly like that gag "can I take your picture?" And then they walk off with the painting that was on the wall. Classic!

[@RonWylie-gk5lc]

SO much that is wonderful in this classic, I cant imagine why it is not more famous it is just incredible. Olsen & Johnson were new to me when I was fortunate to stumble across this gem years ago, I loved them right off and they deserve to be better known they were easily as good and many times better than all the other double acts. Every performance is knocked out of the park, the music and of course THAT dance were equally as wonderful

[@jacksagrafsky4936]

Discoverd this duo when I was a pre teen. This film is one I must of watched dozens of times. Just today I read their names and had to see if they were on KZbin. They are and going to settle down for some good old fashion belly laughs.

[@GertKlimanschewski]

This movie should become 5 Oscars and must be in 'the hall of fame' ;-)

[@evanboyer5928]

every single one of those dancers is an elite athlete.

[@BrooklynAvenue]

Who would have thought that someone was basically making Airplane nearly 40 years earlier...

[@gareldjouvenat2678]

Close to the edit

[@theiceman6941]

Blazing Saddles.

[@fuzzyburnette7161]

Movie was ahead of its time.Hilarious.

[@SuperSMT]

"Screaming"

[@antmhill]

Ha! Not the only one who stumbled over here from reddit and grandma's movie reviews :)

[@exerciserelax8719]

Le reddit army is here 😎

[@anansigg]

LOL! Saw that post and found this on KZbin! So great! *Screaming!*

[@Munchausen45]

Link? I’m a bit fuzzy on Reddit.

[@animateangus]

Great film with one of Cinema's greatest dance sequences!

[@sethbarry8811]

Agreed this is my favorite movie

[@lawrencechalmers5432]

soo corny but fun and terrific dance and instrumental sections. Thanks for the post.

[@BracewellMedia]

Just watched this on Mubi and it's epic that this is on KZbin now. I might be complusively watching the slapstick numbers just like I have with I'm Not Getting Married from Company.

[@Smogshaik]

Hey this is a shot in the dark, but I just finished making English subtitles for this one (because there are none anywhere) after seeing it on Mubi. There are a few lines here and there that I'm not too confident about, and it's also my very first time making subtitles. Seeing how you've also seen and liked this movie, maybe you wanna review the subtitles before I upload them? No hard feelings if you don't, I just thought you'd enjoy doing something like that.

[@kamikatzeff]

When I was a kid I watched this movie over and over again - it stills holds a certain charm.

[@marvinroney4872]

kamikatzeff I

[@RonWylie-gk5lc]

Because everything about it is top class from the production values the the artists performing, it is a real spectacular

[@LOTSW2]

Thank you, thank you! I hadn't seen it in 40 years! One of my all-time favourites.

[@RonWylie-gk5lc]

30.47 the archery scene with the crossbow, I have slowed this down and those arrows are REALLY being fired at the actors, it's not the usual pop up thing, amazing

[@pressureworks]

Incredible !! How this isn't widely recognized, copied, referred to, quoted today, is beyond me !!!

[@reneastle8447]

What if it did? That would be astonishing.

[@rudyagresta]

Very funny! Loved it as a kid. Thanks for uploading!!

[@mimiking1000]

I'm 37 and first came across this film as a young teenager, when it was on telly. I only caught the last half of the movie and I remember being surprised I was enjoying and laughing at a black and white movie lol. I always remembered the name of the movie. Thank god for youtube. I've finally seen it start to finish and it's better then I ever remembered.

[@lostuser1094]

This is one of the most gloriously demented films I've ever seen...God, i love pre-code Hollywood.

[@devindevon]

The Hays Code seriously took effect in 1934, this was made seven years post-code, but it's lovable nonetheless.

[@lostuser1094]

Devin Devon ah my mistake, still pretty amazing

[@kosmaraisanen482]

@@lostuser1094 There's even a joke on the code at 55:58 and 56:40

[@drumestatic]

Not seen this for years, loved every minute. Great show ❤

[@Chesterton7]

My favorite. Thank you for posting!

[@wildcatherder]

This is an incredible exercise in surrealism. It's like an 80-minute version of some of the crazier Daffy Duck cartoons. Extremely fast pacing with only a few slowdowns for the obligatory romantic numbers. Martha Raye has great legs, knows how to use them and has the liveliest part in the show. This movie waits for no one, so sit back and enjoy the ride.

[@uslines]

Spot on!

[@stjames3852]

hm, maybe the weed wasnt as bad as we thought it was back then after all

[@suekearton6691]

thank you for uploading this movie. I wanted this film for a long time

[@Chesterton7]

Same.

[@bodegabreath4258]

Thank you. Always wanted to see this.

[@plazasta]

I love how you can tell that this film is jam-packed with Hollywood references of the era, but at the same time how it clearly was a big influence on future comedic filmmakers as well (also oh my god the pacing of the jokes in this film is INSANE!)

[@kimberlysmith8299]

Stinky Miller is in BIG trouble! Lol.

[@liberte5847]

Crazy Martha Ray! BRAVO and merci beaucoup! From Paris France. Emmanuel

[@liberte5847]

Outstanding crazy MOVIE! E

[@storylass9071]

one of the best dance routines I've ever seen (and I've catalogued over 4,300 movies I've watched).

[@Finispshellnut]

Thanks for uploading. Much nicer than my old copy. (which incidentally was removed from KZbin a while back)

[@RonWylie-gk5lc]

This is available in a perfect copy on Yify Torrent, I tried to buy it for years but no one had it, this video is great quality but the torrent is perfect

[@henrygingercat]

Genius - marvellous to see it again.

[@deemaunik]

The Lindy Hop dance scene starts at 48:00.

[@Cssquarepants]

An experience to behold as a movie fan, never heard of this film and the only sad thing is that it took me this long to discover it

[@NatValCas]

The mother of all comedies! Thank aylu for uploadeing it in such a good quality!

[@MrCrispian]

love shemp howard at the start

[@vestibulate]

Of course, the crucial question remains undecided- Shemp or Curly?

[@ronmartin4793]

Yes,us Shemp and Stooge get a added treat with Shemp being in this too!!!Heep-heep-heep-heep...

[@ronmartin4793]

Us Stooge fans get a treat,too

[@HMinot]

So very fine to find this!

[@agnezabarutanski1963]

49:07 My morning life has become signifficantly better since this has become my alarm clock melody. This is pure joy!

[@vincedonaldson4079]

Brilliant. Though my father-in-law was baffled!

[@VinDcator]

Have never seen such incredible choreography!

[@G.A.Burns_JoyfulNoiseChoir]

Gen Z humor before Gen Z humor was a thing

[@oliviermeylan7092]

Quel plaisir de revoir pour la énième fois ce film. Je pleurs de rire chaque fois que je le regarde.

[@zetetick395]

This is legitimately funny! 😹_👍 - You can really see the line from this movie to Mel Brooks in the '70s (Young Frankenstein / Blazing Saddles etc) and the Zucker brothers spoofs in the '80s (Airplane / Top Secret / The Naked Gun etc) - GREAT movie, never seen it before: Genuinely made us laugh a bunch of times, the jokes are machine gun fast and just keep comin'!

[@DavidAsset78]

This was year's before Woody Allen had his characters in Purple Rose Of Cairo breaking the fourth wall. Very innovative and Martha Raye is hilarious in this movie.

[@theartofmimizaphiratos6056]

A masterpiece

[@dalepeterson8735]

My Favorite film, and it was old then!

[@crystalmarshall9674]

This movie was insane lmao. I loved it

[@DanFiebiger]

Wonderfully frantic pacing. Kind of like Spike Jones meets Monty Python meets Warner Brothers cartoons meets the Marx Brothers. (It could have been titled "A Night At the Ballet".) Do ya think that maybe the makers of the "Naked Gun" movies were influenced by this? Especially the third one that made fun of the Oscars. Likely an influence on other comedians for decades after it came out. People loved these goofy films to take their minds off the Depression, WWII, and the pretty hard lives most people lived. A few too many songs early-on, though. But at least most of them were mercifully short. The opening title song is a rather obvious parody of the famed "Hollywood" song that appeared in so many other places. “Watch the Birdy" is the breakout song, until the main show, but the best music, as usual, was by the black guys, which is no wonder; They invented all the best new musical genres of the 20th century, and their choreography was usually better than anything whites could come up with, too. I loved that giant set they built, so typical of big musicals fo that era. Although Martha Rae had this persona that she’s bad looking, big mouth and all, etc., she actually looked pretty good those days. And she could sing also. Loved the Frankenstein cameo. And the "Rosebud" reference. The "woo-woo" guy who kept showing up was "Chic" Johnson, half of a vaudeville act, with Ole Olsen (also un this film) as the other half. Johnson achieved semi-fame from his unique laugh, which was sometimes parodied in various Warner Brothers cartoons and other places. I've been trying to find out for decades who did the "Popeye"-like voice near the beginning of the film? He also was used in some Warners cartoons doing a big “B.O.” sound which was a parody of a body-odor commercial that often was heard on radio. I've been trying to find out for decades who did the "Popeye"-like voice near the beginning of the film? (It starts at 2:29.) He also was used in some Warners cartoons doing a big “B.O.” sound which was a parody of a body-odor commercial that often was heard on radio. I don't think it was the two guys who did Popeye’s voice for the Fleischer cartoons (William Costello and Jack Mercer) or any later versions of Popeye’s voice. Has anybody got any guesses as to how I could find out who did this unique voice, or knows who did that "Popeye"-like voice near the beginning of the film?

[@MrUnidyne]

When the original Broadway show ran, the acts and musical numbers were frequently shifted, and there was allowance for people to ad-lib, meaning that no two shows were exactly the same. Yet many performances started the same way; A man dressed up as Hitler would be on stage, standing behind a podium, ranting and raving loudly...in Yiddish.

[@wyrdingroom6081]

i stopped by for Shemp; dropped my jaw in my lap.. waaaaay ahead of their time! 🤯🤣🤘

[@mayn90s19]

"Who is this guy?" "That's my bodyguard" "Take it easy!" LOL

[@kevinbutler8824]

Kirk Alyn(who..a few years after the release of the film version of"Hellzapoppin" would become the first performer to play"Superman")appeared in the chorus of the original broadway stage production of this show.

[@sethbarry8811]

I didn't know that that's cool

[@RonWylie-gk5lc]

Thank you for that, how on earth did you find out lol

[@ScottMacGillivray558]

People on the thread have been asking why this picture isn't available today. It's because theatrical producer Alexander Cohen bought the rights "from the Olsen & Johnson estate" in 1966, intending to mount a Broadway revival. Universal then withdrew the film version from TV and rental markets. Producer Cohen did produce a TV revival in 1972 (with Jack Cassidy, Ronnie Schell, and Lynn Redgrave) and hired Jerry Lewis and Redgrave in 1976 for a Broadway run. The show played in three out-of-town tryouts but never made it to Broadway, thanks largely to Lewis causing problems backstage. Cohen closed the show abruptly, three weeks before the opening night was to be televised on network television. The show and the movie haven't been revived since, but Universal did issue a European DVD of the film in 2007.

[@Robbi496]

This absurdity plus???!!! Luv it!

[@moodieboymusic4376]

Can you imagine watching a double feature of this and Zazie Dans Le Metro?

[@jeannieanderst2031]

The girl in the polka dot dresses totally stole the show

[@Xzagobag]

Loved her Marilyn moment

[@PP-ih4vg]

May I please take your picture, lol!

[@EmeraldMinnie]

This looks like if Bunuel ever went "Hollywood"

[@hermes_job_observer144]

@1:15:25: "hit tha b*tch, you can't miss!" LOL! 🖐🤣

[@d-manthecaptain1382]

Got this on DVD, I'm glad I did but man, it doesn't have subtitles, which sucks

[@loekiekanters4295]

Crazy film, love it!

[@kyddshine]

Oscar! lol, a gem on film!

[@davidhensley76]

That pool set must have cost a fortune.

[@MrUnidyne]

A film showing a film in a theater showing a film that includes a film being made about a film. How meta can you get?

[@SammEater]

Surprising aged nicely for a 1941 movie.

[@wr9733]

I love this!

[@user-fk6vj9fm8d]

A HELL OF A GOOD TIME.........UN COMPAREABLE!

[@Robbi496]

Love Shemp Howard is this!

[@tommyhemlock7915]

A madcap film for a time when the world had gone mad. True comedy never ages, and just like Laurel and Hardy, this is as hilarious today as it was then.

[@reneastle8447]

Ain't that the truth? If there are more madcap farcical comedies like this, the world of comedy film will remain happier, healthier, and thriving for years to come.

[@toxicmoocow72]

"Hahaha! You missed me, you need glasses." ~Bear

[@synaesthesia2010]

i only just heard about this. as a huge fan on the Goon Show and Monty Python, this kind of thing is right up my street

[@juanalbertorendonsalazar1908]

Super produccion de la época del gran Cine de Oro norteamericano

[@pressureworks]

Nice appearance by Schemp !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@togian755]

The ultimate screwball comedy. Everyone is off their rocker in this crazy thing. 😅

[@jonathaneffemey4892]

Genius!

[@user-ly7de2bz2c]

46:07 когда я в первый раз смотрел фильм я меньше всего ожидал услышать на русском языке эти слова Я конечно догадывался что актёр может владеть русским языком ( я смотрел этот фильм в русской озвучке и поэтому плохо слышал акцент) но я был поражён насколько это прозвучало убедительно и стало так приятно услышать родной язык в американском фильме Честно я уже второй раз смотрю этот фильм и уже в оригинале и я понял что он ещё более уморителен чем в первый раз Мне даже сложно перечислить сколько здесь смешных моментов Я сначала не хотел его смотреть но после просмотра я остался лишь в восторге В общем отличная комедия посмотрите если не видели или пересмотрите если видели

[@huberthubert860]

I wish I would have seen it in '41

[@vkorchnoifan]

I remember seeing this film on TV in the 1950's. These people come into our lifes then are gone. They entertain us and are gone. They are dead and buried. Is it possible that the film they starred in will last? How long ? I hate death. Is it possible to meet them in the afterlife and thank them for the entertainment they produced? I like to think so. Especially Martha Raye.

[@joeyjamison5772]

I didn't know there were psychedelic drugs in the 1940s!

[@pablorai769]

There were psychedelic drugs before Christ

[@Octopussyist]

@@pablorai769 And they were legal.

[@chevon1920]

These dudes were on something,

[@jimmclaughlin2603]

Extreme escapism from the great war era, I have to admit there are quite a few laughs. Not as obtuse as some of the cold war absurdists that I grew up with. The dance sequence was unbelievable and has been colorized in other links, quite nicely too. Recommended, though it can get a bit grating at some points. I do wonder how much alcohol was involved in the writing.

[@zeehappy235]

Hellzapoppin' ❤❤❤ Best movie ever~ ❤❤❤

[@Chesterton7]

Pretty much! :)