Benny plays fancourt babberly, a somewhat older student at a british university in the late 1800s who, through a series of complications, winds up playing donna lucia of brazil, the aunt of another student, charley, because. Stemmle it starred fritz rasp, paul kemp and max gulstorff. Jack chesneys father, colonel chesney is visiting his son at oxford. His enthusiasm makes the film more than the sum of its parts. We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyze our traffic.
It broke all historic records for plays of any kind, with an original london run of 1,466 performances. The aunt is delayed, they force lord babberly into a dress, and the girls arrive. Charleys aunt 1941 film charleys aunt is a 1941 american historical. The opening title card of this film reads, twentieth centuryfox presents jack benny in charleys aunt brandon thomas immortal comedy.
The 1941 version of charleys aunt would be notable if only because its one of the rare films in which jack benny is playing a real character, rather than a mere extension of his welldeveloped and recognizable personality. His film career is not thought of highly, but some of that is due to jacks own attitude towards his films. More unabashed hilarity with this hit from the late 19th century. Charleys aunt is a threeact farce that, when it premiered in 1892, was so wildly successful that it shattered theater records at the time, becoming the longestrunning play with well over a thousand performances in london, a broadway version. Good cast with jack benny in one of his best roles. Swiftly paced and nicely timed in its gags and line readings, charley s aunt features one of jack benny s best film performances. The opening title card of this film reads, twentieth centuryfox presents jack benny in charley s aunt brandon thomas immortal comedy. Watch playhouse 90 season 1, episode 26 charleys aunt. Stemmle and starring fritz rasp, paul kemp, and max gulstorff. An oxford undergraduate student, charley is in love with amy spettigue. Laird cregar and edmund gwenn vie for benny s hand. In fact, charleys aunt has been performed across the globe for over 100 years and has always enchanted audiences. An oxford undergraduate student and charleys friend, jack is in love with kitty verdun. Things get much worse when charley s real aunt appears.
Charley s aunt jack benny, kay francis ganzer film 1941 hd kusuma entertainment. Like niagara falls, charleys aunt stands the test of time. An oxford student is forced to dress in drag as his own aunt, visiting from brazil, when she does not appear in time to chaperone him, his friends, and their beloveds. Ray bolger demonstrates his agility in wheres charley. Jul 28, 2007 sight unseen, i eagerly awaited the release of charley s aunt on disc. Jack benny masquerades as charley s aunt and gets involved in several scrapes while a student at oxford. Sight unseen, i eagerly awaited the release of charleys aunt on disc. Ray bolger s wild impersonation of charley s perennial aunt in the musical show, where s charley. The winnipesaukee playhouse professional company presents charleys aunt. Charleys tante is a 1934 german comedy film directed by robert a. The film isnt a comic masterwork but its a fun way to spend an hour and a half.
In 1890, two students at oxford force their rascally friend and fellow student to pose as an aunt from brazilwhere the nuts come from. Rock a bye baby 1958 jerry lewis dean martin full length comedy movie. Benny, predating jack lemmons work in some like it hot, is a marvel as the english earl posing as an oxford classmates aunt. Benny, predating jack lemmon s work in some like it hot, is a marvel as the english earl posing as an oxford classmate s aunt. Jack benny is charleys aunt, in this 1941 film version of the famous play, one of several film recreations that exist. The play was first performed at the theatre royal, bury st edmunds in february 1892. By brandon thomas directed by joseph discher performances begin october 24 im charleys aunt from brazil, where the nuts come from.
Charleys aunt article about charleys aunt by the free. Charleys aunt 1941 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and. The old theatrical chestnut has some surprisingly modern touches in the form of sexual innuendoes, that only add to the fun. His enthusiasm makes the film more than the sum of it s parts. In 1934 a german version charleys aunt was released.
Things get much worse when charleys real aunt appears. The uproarious peoplepleasing farce has been adapted to film both silent in 1915 and sound in 1930 with the most famous cinematic version starring jack benny in 1941. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that youve provided to them or that theyve collected from your use of their services. The play was first performed at the theatre royal, bury st edmunds on 29 february 1892. Jack benny playing with enthusiasm and romping merrily and crazily along the route, takes fullest advantage of laugh opportunities.
Charley wyckham and jack chesney pressure fellow student fancourt babberly to pose as charley s brazilian aunt donna lucia. Charley s aunt on dvd 024543440642 from 20th century fox. Overview of charleys aunt, 1941, directed by archie mayo, with jack benny, kay francis, james ellison, at turner classic movies. Charley s aunt 1941 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Charleys aunt, the gold standard for british farce, is a wild ride of mistaken identity, witty dialogue, and slapstick humor. While best known for his tv work, including drop the dead donkey, ballykissangel and wild at heart, as well as the awardwinning dci banks which is based on the series of novels by peter robinson, tompkinson also appeared in 1996 hit film brassed off and his stage roles have included spamalot, charleys aunt and, mostly recently, a tour of art which brought him to theatre royal in march. Swiftly paced and nicely timed in its gags and line readings, charleys aunt features one of jack bennys best film performances. The films sets were designed by art director franz schroedter. Charley and jack pressure fellow student fancourt to pose as charley s brazilian aunt. But without a chaperone, they cant meet their girls, amy and kitty. This first talkie version of the evergreen brandon thomas stage farce charleys aunt stars charlie ruggles, obviously having the time of his life in the leading role. Charley s aunt is a farce in three acts written by brandon thomas. Charleys aunt the shakespeare theatre of new jersey.
By brandon thomas directed by joseph discher performances begin october 24 im charley s aunt from brazil, where the nuts come from. Spettigue halliwell hobbes, a very strict guardian who wont let them see the young men. James ellison and richard haydn as the school friends, anne baxter and arleen whelan as the girls. Ben ames williams to write a vehicle for stirling hayden dealing with cape cod world premiere opens film arrives at the criterion today charley s aunt to. Charleys aunt is a threeact farce that, when it premiered in 1892, was so wildly successful that it shattered theater records at the time, becoming the longestrunning play with well over a thousand performances in london, a broadway version, and an international tour it concerns two oxford students, jack and the eponymous charley, who are in love with kitty and amy, respectively. It was the third filmed version of the stage farce of the same name by brandon thomas. Kay francis gets to play the best character, the real charleys aunt. Charley wyckham and jack chesney pressure fellow student fancourt babberly to pose as charleys brazilian aunt donna lucia. Charleys aunt is a farce in three acts written by brandon thomas. Their purpose is to have a chaperone for their amorous visits with amy and kitty, niece and ward of crusty stephen spettigue.
Perhaps the best known film version was released in 1941, directed by archie mayo and starring jack benny in the title role. He first falls for charleys aunts money, but then makes another discovery. The film isnt a comic masterwork but it s a fun way to spend an hour and a half. Their purpose is to have a chaperone for their amorous visits with amy and. I suppose like most people, i first saw charleys aunt, brandon thomas. While jack as a british college student only kinda works, jack is still a stitch. Charleys aunt the winnipesaukee playhousemeredith nh. Ray bolgers wild impersonation of charleys perennial aunt in the musical show, wheres charley. Victorianera oxford students charley wykeham richard haydn and jack chesney james ellison recruit their wealthy playboy friend, lord fancourt babberly. This comedy will grace our stage for the first time in our 56year history. Sight unseen, i eagerly awaited the release of charley s aunt on disc. Sir francourt babbs babberly gets drafted by his old school chums charley and jack to pose as charleys aunt, a rich widow, to chaperon a meeting between the boys and their sweethearts, amy and kitty. Fancourt must pose as the elderly aunt of his roommate charley wyckeham so that charley and his friend jack chesney will. Gallery of 8 movie poster and cover images for charleys aunt 1941.
His radio show is filled with jokes about his film career. Charleys aunt is a 1941 american historical comedy film directed by archie mayo. Like niagara falls, charley s aunt stands the test of time. Charleys aunt on dvd 024543440642 from 20th century fox. The story centres on lord fancourt babberley, an undergraduate whose friends jack and charley persuade him to impersonate the latters aunt. Charleys aunt jack benny, kay francis ganzerfilm 1941. Our fall farce, charley s aunt a hilarious farce written by brandon thomas and directed by ed knights. Charley s aunt is a 1941 american historical comedy film directed by archie mayo. It remained one of bennys personal favourites among his own films.
After two soso comedies, play girl and the man who lost himself, kays freelance career needed a new boost. Their purpose is to have a chaperone for their amorous visits with amy and kitty, niece and ward of. Victorianera oxford students charley wykeham richard haydn and jack chesney james ellison recruit their wealthy playboy friend, lord fancourt babberly jack benny, to impersonate charleys. Charleys aunt is a threeact farce that, when it premiered in 1892, was so. Ben ames williams to write a vehicle for stirling hayden dealing with cape cod world premiere opens film arrives at the criterion today. Things get even more silly as babbs is soon being hounded by suitors interested in the aunts considerable fortune. This first talkie version of the evergreen brandon thomas stage farce charley s aunt stars charlie ruggles, obviously having the time of his life in the leading role. The 1941 version of charley s aunt would be notable if only because it s one of the rare films in which jack benny is playing a real character, rather than a mere extension of his welldeveloped and recognizable personality. Arthur askey took the leading role in a 1940 british film charleys bighearted aunt that developed themes from the original play. Charley and jack pressure fellow student fancourt to pose as charleys brazilian aunt. A corporate and financial history, published in 1988 by scarecrow filmmaker series.
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