The Stolen Jools

I just caught this old thing as an add-on for Dementia 13 on Haunted Hollywood (A light night movie program that shows here in Dallas). It wasn't quite the laugh riot it was intended to be, but there were several moments worth catching. Laurel and Hardy, for example, as 2 detectives that mistakenly make a final payment on their car. There was a funny bit with someone I thought was George Burns, but have found that it actually was someone else I don't know. Don't look for a solid story line, rather expect a series of gags, skits and one liners, not all of which hit the mark.. When you have half of Hollywood out for cameos, that's about all one can expect.

Comedy short made for charity, notable for the cast of big names. Someone has stolen Norma Shearer's jewels at the annual Screen Stars Ball. The investigation leads us through a variety of stars playing bit parts. That's pretty much the whole plot. The stars include Gary Cooper, Joan Crawford, Edward G. Robinson, Laurel & Hardy, the Our Gang kids, Loretta Young, Buster Keaton, Wallace Beery, Joe E. Brown, the aforementioned Norma Shearer, and many others. The purpose of the short was to raise money for the N.V.A. Tuberculosis Sanitarium. It's amusing although each star's bit is disappointingly brief. It's certainly interesting for classic film fans. But it's pretty much just empty fluff. Don't expect to laugh your socks off.

Believe it or not, this unique all-star comedy short was financed by a tobacco-producing company in aid of charity! Practically everybody who was anybody in Hollywood circa 1931 puts in an appearance here during its mildly enjoyable but thoroughly fascinating 18-minute run: seasoned copper Wallace Beery sending rookie Buster Keaton to patrol the streets of L.A., detective team supreme of Laurel & Hardy arriving on the scene of the titular crime (belonging to Norma Shearer, no less) and having their car disassemble itself right there and then, Victor McLaglen and Edmund Lowe (in character as Flagg and Quirt) waited on by Swede El Brendel at a restaurant, Warner Baxter (again in character as The Cisco Kid – for which he was awarded an Oscar in 1929) flirting with the ladies, gangsters Edward G. Robinson and George E. Stone hiding out in a hotel lobby, Richard Dix and Irene Dunne – whom I have just seen teamed up in CIMARRON (1931) – being questioned by a nosy investigator, editor Gary Cooper ordering reporter Eugene Palette about, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. taking a stroll with Loretta Young, a rare peak at the home of newly-weds Frank Fay and Barbara Stanwyck (of whom, incidentally, I have just acquired a handful of rare movies)…plus Richard Barthelmess, Joe E. Brown (donning a false beard), Maurice Chevalier, Joan Crawford, Jack Oakie, Wheeler & Woolsey (whose brief bit here made me want to watch more of them), etc.

"The Stolen Jools" boasts more prominent stars than have ever appeared before in a single feature, which may be true. Dozens of stars appear, all too briefly, in an under 20-minute search for actress Norma Shearer's lost jewels. We begin on a balmy summer evening in Hollywood, as blustery police chief Wallace Beery receives notification of area crimes. A short appearance by Buster Keaton is followed quickly by Laurel and Hardy becoming involved in the fun. The camera next find Ms. Shearer at her house, with various guests. An extensive cast list follows the film, though it notably leaves out the likes of Joe E. Brown.

Sponsored by Chesterfield Cigarettes, this short film helped raise money to fight tuberculosis.

Eddie Kane is the main investigator. Box office pals Joan Crawford and William Haines are among the first suspects. Obviously, they didn't do it. Warner Baxter does his Oscar-winning "Cisco Kid" characterization. Small parts are played by Irene Dunne, Richard Dix, Gary Cooper, Buddy Rogers, Maurice Chevalier, Douglas Fairbanks, and Loretta Young. Richard Barthelmess and Charles Butterworth appear, but not "under the tree." Married couple Bebe Daniels and Ben Lyon are seen at home, as are the alter-bound Frank Fay and Barbara Stanwyck, she reading a rather silly poem. Many others appear, with young Mitzi Green finally ending the mystery.

***** The Stolen Jools (4/4/31) William C. McGann ~ Eddie Kane, Norma Shearer, Wallace Beery, Mitzi Green

Those of us who are stargazers will be suitably impressed by The Stolen Jools, originally entitled The Slippery Pearls. Just about all the studios lent some of their best contract players out for this 20 minute short subject.

I can't really describe a plot because there isn't one here. It begins with Wallace Beery as a police sergeant getting the call among others and the fun just starts from there. When you get Edward G. Robinson and George Stone reprising their characters from Little Caesar, when you get Wheeler and Woolsey, Laurel and Hardy, and the Little Rascals all doing a bit of shtick, and such beauties as Norma Shearer and Joan Crawford and so many more just walking, what's to complain?

The short was actually shot at Paramount, there seems to be a tilt toward Paramount players, but only slightly and it was to benefit the National Variety Association tuberculosis sanitarium in Saranac Lake, New York. Back in the day that was a favored location for those who contracted TB.

Just sit back and stargaze.