It's in the Bag! (1945 film)

It's in the Bag! is a 1945 comedy film featuring Fred Allen in his only starring film role. The film was released by United Artists at a time when Allen was at the peak of his fame as one of the most popular radio comedians. The film has been preserved by UCLA Film & Television Archive. The film is loosely based on the comic novel The Twelve Chairs (1928) of Ilf and Petrov, later filmed by Mel Brooks as The Twelve Chairs (1970). The team of screenwriters included Jay Dratler, Alma Reville, and Morrie Ryskind. Allen's encounter with Jack Benny in the film is notable as at this time they were involved in a famous 'feud', which ran for over a decade.

Plot
A flea circus ringmaster, Fred Floogle, has strange encounters as he searches for his inheritance, hidden in the seat of one of five chairs.

Cast

 * Fred Allen - Fred F. Trumble Floogle
 * Jack Benny - Jack Benny
 * Don Ameche - Don Ameche
 * William Bendix - William Bendix
 * Victor Moore - Victor Moore
 * Rudy Vallee - Rudy Vallee
 * Binnie Barnes - Eve Floogle
 * Robert Benchley - Parker
 * Jerry Colonna - Dr. Greengrass - Psychiatrist
 * John Carradine - Jefferson T. Pike
 * Gloria Pope - Marion Floogle
 * William Terry - Perry Parker
 * Minerva Pious - Mrs. Pansy Nussbaum
 * Richard Tyler - Homer Floogle (as Dickie Tyler)
 * Sidney Toler - Detective Sully
 * George Cleveland - Busby - Hotel Manager
 * John Miljan - Mr. Arnold
 * Ben Welden - Monty - Bookie

Uncredited character actors alphabetically:
 * Johnny Arthur - Finley
 * Jack Baxley - Minister
 * Brooks Benedict - Headwaiter
 * Don Brodie - Reporter
 * Steve Brodie - Usher
 * John Brown - Joe, Nightclub Doorman
 * George Chandler - 1st Elevator Operator
 * James Conaty - Nightclub Patron
 * Don Costello - Mickey
 * Kernan Cripps - Police Turnkey
 * Mike Donovan - Movie Theatre Patron
 * Jay Eaton - Jeweler
 * Bess Flowers - Woman in Elevator, and in Floogle's Penthouse
 * Byron Foulger - Mr. Teckler
 * Edward Gargan - Chair Delivery Man
 * Jack Gargan - Movie Usher
 * Dick Gordon - Movie Theatre Patron
 * Frank Hagney - Nightclub Tough in Fight
 * Harry Harvey - Man in Nightclub Kitchen
 * Olin Howland - Dr. Greengrass's Doctor
 * Lloyd Ingraham - Frederick F. Trumble
 * Eddie Kane - Tailor
 * Kenner G. Kemp - Movie House Patron in Balcony
 * Mike Lally - Movie House Patron, and Cabbie
 * Rex Lease - Yacht Salesman
 * Mary Livingstone - Mary Livingstone (voice only)
 * Wilbur Mack - Nightclub Patron
 * Chief Many Treaties - Indian Chief
 * Thomas Martin - Penthouse Guest
 * Harold Miller - Nightclub Patron, and Wedding Guest
 * Bert Moorhouse - Jeweler / Wedding Guest
 * Horace Murphy - Officer
 * Forbes Murray - Elevator Rider
 * Roger Neury - Waiter
 * William H. O'Brien - Nightclub Waiter
 * Sarah Padden - Woman in Elevator
 * Emory Parnell - Mr. Buddoo
 * Jack Perrin - Policeman
 * Marshall Reed - Hood in Car
 * Dewey Robinson - Frogface
 * Matty Roubert - Elevator Boy in Theatre
 * Harry Semels - Chef
 * Dan Seymour - Fatso
 * Larry Steers - Nightclub Patron / Wedding Guest
 * Harry Strang - Diner
 * Charles Sullivan - Nightclub Tough in Fight
 * Phil Tead - Ninth National Bank Representative
 * Walter Tetley - 2nd Elevator Operator
 * Emmett Vogan - Man in Elevator
 * Harry von Zell - Phil
 * Max Wagner - Nightclub Tough in Fight
 * Dave Willock - Stratosphere Balcony Usher
 * Marek Windheim - Waiter

Alternate version
There is an alternative version of the film where Allen's voice periodically breaks in on the action with wisecracks a la the opening credits. This version obscures some of the on-screen dialogue, including the punchline. This version has aired on AMC.

Reception
At the time of its release in 1945, Bosley Crowther of The New York Times wrote that, aside from Mr. Allen's comments on the credits at the beginning of the film, which were superlative spoofing and recommended to everyone, it was a "dizzy, bewildering picture...this rat's nest of nonsense defied the sober description of a comparatively rational mind".

A favorable (3 stars out of 4) review by Leonard Maltin states "Story similar to The Twelve Chairs with flea-circus promoter Allen entitled to inheritance; plot soon goes out the window in favor of unrelated but amusing episodes, including hilarious encounter between Allen and Benny."