It's a Joke, Son!

"It's a Joke, Son" is the only movie that Kenny Delmar starred in, and one of only four films that he made in his career. The other three were bit parts. So, this film has a little historical value, at least in the annals of cinema and entertainment. It's the only good portrayal of Delmar as an actor. And, it shows that he indeed could act. Millions of radio listeners who heard the humorous character, Beauregard Claghorn on "The Fred Allen Show" in 1945-1949, had a chance to see him in this 1947 film. Besides continuing radio programs, Delmar appeared in various TV series in the 1950s and 1960s, and did voice-over work for cartoons.

While this was just a B film by Eagle-Lion, it showed that Delmar could act. And, he has a fine cast of supporting actors of the day in Una Merkel as Beauregard's wife, Magnolia; June Lockhart as his daughter, Mary Lou, and Douglas Dumbrille in a frequent bad guy role as Dan Healey. He is a corrupt Northern political boss who "owned" the local state Sen. Leeds, played by Jimmy Conlin.

While the film was clearly a vehicle built on the radio character that Delmar played, it's also a light satire. Delmar's Beauregard is a diehard Confederate in the mid-20th century. This is the basis of some very funny lines, delivered in his blustery persona. He was a parody of a type of bombastic politician of the time. And, it applied as much to Northerners as it did Southerners. But the Southern drawl of Delmar's Claghorn is what radio listeners had become familiar with. Some other slightly subtle satire has to do with a hen-pecked husband and a wife who wore the pants in the house.

The plot is quite good and the humor is such that it bridges the time gaps - from the Civil War to the late 1940s, and from then until the present day. Of course, by the late 20th century, the regional distinctions of accents and cultures had pretty much disappeared in the U. S. Those who are interested in history should especially enjoy this film and its "Dixie" humor of the period. According to some critics and sources, the producers carefully avoided the hot-button social and civil rights issues of the time. So, the issues of civil rights, and racial segregation and prejudice aren't found in this film. That probably accounts for the absence of any African-Americans in the film. And, it's obvious that the comedic portrayals and satire of certain types at that time would not have worked with a broader plot that included such serious issues of the day.

And, oh yes - the film title is a line that Beauregard Claghorn often used over the air in Fred Allen's radio show.

Here are some favorite lines from this film.

Magnolia Claghorn, "What're you so happy about?" Beauregard Claghorn, "Oh, I'm sorry my dear. I didn't mean to be happy."

Magnolia, "Beauregard, I've got somethin' to tell you. From now on, I'm gonna wear the pants in this family." Claghorn, "Well, naturally, dear. I thought you were gonna tell me something new."

Claghorn, speaking to his pet, "Daisy... you're lucky to be a dog. Your trouble's are canine; mine are asinine. If you weren't a dog, I'd get a laugh on that."

Groceryman, "What can we do, Mr. Claghorn?" Claghorn, "Eliminate the North -- make the whole country South."

Claghorn, "Now, son, in my plan you simply move the Mason-Dixon line up around the Great Lakes. Make Canada the North. That way, anyone who couldn't talk with a Southern drawl would have to get a passport."

Groceryman, "Well, what about our maps, Mr. Claghorn?" Claghorn, "Maps? Did you ever look at a map? You'll notice that all the rivers run South." Grocer, "Well, that's only because of the shape of the earth." Claghorn, "Nonsense! It's because they can't stand it up North."

Claghorn, "You know we've got two states down here - South Carolina and North Carolina. North Carolina? No such place. Why don't they call it Upper South Carolina? And, I can't for the life of me understand why we've got a South Dakota up North."

Claghorn, to his dog, "Daisy, don't you know that's a Northern apple. You wanna get distemper? Drop it!" And the dog does.

Magnolia, "If that Jeff Davis comes in this house once more, I'm gonna pop up and go home to mother." Claghorn, excitedly, "You will?" Magnolia, "Oh, so you wanna get rid of me?" Claghorn, "Oh, no, dear. I only said that, I said.... I must've said something."

Claghorn, "A girl named Lincoln has no right to be from Atlanta."

Mailman Peterson, "Anyhow, Mr. Claghorn, I want you to know that you get the most interesting mail on my whole route." Claghorn, "Well, that's mighty nice of you to say so, sir."

Magnolia, "Beauregard, I could almost kiss you for that." Claghorn, "Well, thank you, my dear. It's nice of you to almost wanna kiss me." Mary Lou, "Well, why don't you kiss him, momma?" Magnolia "Hmmm?" Claghorn, "Magnolia, my blossom, prepare to defend yourself." Magnolia, "Stop it, now. Stop it!"

Una Merkel was a fixture in early hollywood... here, she is Magnolia, wife of southern gentleman Beau Claghorn, the big, blustery windbag. Doug Dumbrille ALWAYS played the bad guy. June Lockhart is here as the daughter... she was best known as the mom in Lost in Space, and of course, the "Lassie" films and television series. Lots of "southerner" jokes... the south versus the durn yankees. and Ken Farrell is "Jeff Davis", for the obvious name reference. When Magnolia runs for senate, her husband Beauregard is also forced to run for senate, for reasons explained in the film. It's all good fun, with some serious ideas thrown in along the way. Then Claghorn disappears...will he return in time for the election ? Directed by Ben Stoloff, who was known for westerns and musicals. produced by Eagle Lion Films, owned by Arthur Rank. It's quite good! Showing on Moonlight Movie channel... i've never seen this one on Turner Classics. Catch it if you can!

Kenny Delmar brought his popular character Beauregard Claghorn and all his Southern bluster from the Fred Allen radio show to the big screen in IT'S A JOKE, SON!, released by Eagle-Lion in 1947.

Okay, listen carefully and follow the plot: an addle-brained Southern state senator running for re-election on the coattails of a carpetbagging political boss (Douglass Dumbrille) is being challenged by Magnolia Claghorn (Una Merkel), leader of a group called the Daughters of Dixie. Dumbrille forces Magnolia's husband Beauregard to run as a third party candidate so split the opposition, I say split the opposition, but soon Beauregard Claghorn's dander is up and he's running, I say he's running, like a Yankee at Bull Run. Meanwhile, just to keep things interesting because after all we DO have 63 minutes to kill, the Claghorns' lovely daughter (June Lockhart with an adorable Southern accent) is involved with some guy who runs an ice cream truck. Also worth mentioning is that Daisy, the second cutest dog in the movies after Laughing Gravy, is on loan from the Blondie pictures and proves why no actor wants to share the screen with a four-legged scene stealer.

The movie is generally pleasant, and occasionally funny when Claghorn starts boasting about the South (we're told that he still purchases Confederate Victory Bonds, and Claghorn is trying to convince North Carolina to change its name to Upper South Carolina). Unlike the Ma & Pa Kettle films of a few years later, though, Claghorn's film debut didn't catch on, and there were no sequels. On the other hand, I say on the other hand, a knock-off character was more successful over at Warner Bros: Foghorn Leghorn had already made his film debut, in 1946's WALKY TALKY HAWKY, when IT'S A JOKE, SON! was released, and the blustering rooster went on to a long and successful career.

Beauregard Claghorn is a man proud of his Southern roots. He hates anything that might be deemed Northern. His loyalties are deeply rooted South of the Mason-Dixon line, as he'll tell anyone that asks his opinion. He is married to Magnolia, a strong willed woman and has a lovely young daughter, Mary Lou, who is seeing an ambitious young man, Jeff Davis. The young people would like to get married and settle down to a new kind of business beginning to sweep America: frozen food!

Claghorn comes into some money from the sale of mint to a big firm. When Mary Lou tells about Jeff's plan to invest in a frozen food truck, he decides to give them the money for a down payment. Little prepares him to know that Magnolia has decided to offer the same amount to a patriotic Southern ladies' organization and plans to run for a seat in the state senate. Beauregard decides to enter the contest himself as a way to get some serious money.

"It's a Joke, Son" is a funny film directed by Benjamin Stoloff, featuring Kenny Delmar, a successful comedian, popular in radio during that time. Una Merkel is seen as Magnolia. Lovely June Lockhart appears as Mary Lou.

The film, a running time of only 63 minutes, is a delightful comedy with a few laughs that takes the viewer to a less complicated time in America.

Senator Beauregard Clanghorn is the real-life fictional character from whom Mel Blanc created the barnyard politician Foghorn Leghorn.

If you don't laugh at this movie and the outrageous humor of Beauregard Clanghorn, then you're either dead and don't know it; or you're taking life way too seriously--and isn't that the point of the whole movie?

Someone said that the movie may not be "politically correct." Well, to heck with "political correctness"! That's just a bunch of plastic people imposing plastic rules for a plastic world.

There's nothing plastic about "It's a Joke, Son!" or Beauregard Clanghorn--and there's nothing plastic about uproariously funny comedy. Good comedy is neither politically correct nor incorrect. It is just something that makes you laugh when you need it.

Whoever said, "Laughter is the best medicine," certainly knew what he was talking about; and "It's a Joke, Son!" is GOOD medicine--even in the 21st Century! You ca--I say, you can bank on that!