FOUR JACKS AND A JILL

Four Jacks and a Jill
RKO, 1942, B/W, 67 minutes, ***
Released January, 1942

Ray Bolger, Eddie Foy, Jr., Jack Briggs and William Blees are the four "Jacks" who desperately seek a "Jill" to round out their musical nightclub act in a breezy, tune-filled comedy. The foud musicians lose their original torch singer (June Havoc) when a gangster (Jack Durant) forces her premature retirement. Bolger manages to find a substitute in the lovely form of Anne Shirley, but he didn't count on the chaotic complications that would come with her. It seems that Shirley is being pursued by Desi Arnaz as an ousted foreign king seeking refuge in America. At least everyone thinks he is a foreign king. Whether he truly is or not is all part of the fun you'll have with Four Jacks and a Jill.

Produced by: John Twist
Directed by: Jack Hively
Assistant Director: Dewey Starkey
Screen Play by: John Twist
Story by: Monte Brice
Suggested by: W. Carey Wonderly's "The Viennese Charmer" as published in Young's Magazine
Musical Director: C. Bakaleinikoff
Songs: Lyrics by Mort Greene, Music by Harry Revel
Orchestrations by: Gene Rose
Dance Director: Aida Broadbent
Art Director: Alber D'Agostino
Gowns by: Renié
Recorded by: John E. Tribby
Director of Photography: Russell Metty
Special Effects by: Vernon L. Walker
Edited by: George Hively

Cast: Ray Bolger [Nifty Sullivan], Anne Shirley [Karanina "Nina" Novak], June Havoc [Opal], Desi Arnaz [Steve Sarto / King Stephan VIII of Aregal], Jack Durant [The Noodle], Eddie Foy, Jr. [Happy McScud], Fritz Feld [Mr. Hoople], Henry Daniell [Bobo], Additional Cast: Fortunio Bonanova [Mike], William Blees [Eddie], Jack Briggs [Nat], Bob Perry, Constantine Romanoff [The Noodle's Henchmen], Robert Smith [Joe, the Press Agent], Mantan Moreland [Cicero, Washroom Attendant], Joseph E. Bernard [Jailer], Armand "Curly" Wright [Hot Dog Vendor], Jack Carr [Big man at concert], Jack Gardner [Symphony Hall Usher], Eddie Hart [Wally, the Taxi Driver], Patti Lacey [Jitterbug Specialty], Max Lucke [Otto, the Chef], Nina Wayler [Katherine, the Maid], Roy Crane [Keva, the Valet], Frank Martinelli [Ditch Digger], Ted O'Shea [Drunk Pedestrian], Amarilla Morris [Girl in Revolving Door], Rafael Storm [Headwaiter], Leo White [Perfumer], Rosemary Coleman [Salesgirl], Florence Lake [Counter Girl], Marie Windsor [Girl putting on makeup], Norman Mayes [Bootblack], Grady Sutton [Mike's Cellar Nightclub Patron], Pat McKee, Jack Gargan [Nightclub Extras]

Musical Program: [0:02] I'm in Good Shape (sung and danced by Ray Bolger, jitterbug segment with Patti Lacey); [0:08] I Haven't a Thing to Wear (sung by June Havoc); [0:20] Karanina (sung by Martha Mears dubbing for Anne Shirley, joined by The Four Jacks), [0:29] Boogie Woogie Conga (sung and danced by The Four Jacks); [0:39] Wherever You Are (sung by Martha Mears dubbing for Anne Shirley, danced by Ray Bolger and Anne Shirley); [0:45] Nifty's prize fight imitation dance; [0:53] You Go Your Way (sung by Martha Mears dubbing for Anne Shirley); [1:07] Boogie Woogie Conga (short reprisal by The Four Jacks and a Jill with Dezi Arnaz)