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Behind the Eight Ball

  • 19421942
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
5.6/10
59
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Carol Bruce, William Demarest, Dick Foran, Grace McDonald, Al Ritz, Harry Ritz, Jimmy Ritz, and The Ritz Brothers in Behind the Eight Ball (1942)
  • Comedy
  • Musical
  • Mystery
The members of a summer theater group get mixed up with spies and murder.The members of a summer theater group get mixed up with spies and murder.The members of a summer theater group get mixed up with spies and murder.
IMDb RATING
5.6/10
59
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Edward F. Cline
  • Writers
    • Stanley Roberts(original story "Off the Beaten Path")
    • Mel Ronson(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Al Ritz
    • Jimmy Ritz
    • Harry Ritz
Top credits
  • Director
    • Edward F. Cline
  • Writers
    • Stanley Roberts(original story "Off the Beaten Path")
    • Mel Ronson(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Al Ritz
    • Jimmy Ritz
    • Harry Ritz
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 5User reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos10

    Carol Bruce, William Demarest, Johnny Downs, and Dick Foran in Behind the Eight Ball (1942)
    Carol Bruce, William Demarest, and Johnny Downs in Behind the Eight Ball (1942)
    Al Ritz, Harry Ritz, Jimmy Ritz, and The Ritz Brothers in Behind the Eight Ball (1942)
    Carol Bruce and Dick Foran in Behind the Eight Ball (1942)
    Sonny Dunham and Grace McDonald in Behind the Eight Ball (1942)
    Carol Bruce and Dick Foran in Behind the Eight Ball (1942)
    Carol Bruce and Dick Foran in Behind the Eight Ball (1942)
    William Demarest, Al Ritz, Harry Ritz, Jimmy Ritz, and The Ritz Brothers in Behind the Eight Ball (1942)
    Al Ritz, Harry Ritz, Jimmy Ritz, and The Ritz Brothers in Behind the Eight Ball (1942)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Al Ritz
    Al Ritz
    • Al Jesteras Al Jester
    Jimmy Ritz
    Jimmy Ritz
    • Jimmy Jesteras Jimmy Jester
    Harry Ritz
    Harry Ritz
    • Harry Jesteras Harry Jester
    Carol Bruce
    Carol Bruce
    • Joan Barryas Joan Barry
    Dick Foran
    Dick Foran
    • Bill Edwardsas Bill Edwards
    Grace McDonald
    Grace McDonald
    • Babsas Babs
    Johnny Downs
    Johnny Downs
    • Dannyas Danny
    William Demarest
    William Demarest
    • McKenzieas McKenzie
    Richard Davies
    Richard Davies
    • Clay Martinas Clay Martin
    Russell Hicks
    Russell Hicks
    • Harry B. Kempas Harry B. Kemp
    Vinton Hayworth
    Vinton Hayworth
    • Bobby Leonardas Bobby Leonard
    • (as Jack Arnold)
    Sonny Dunham
    • Orchestra Leaderas Orchestra Leader
    • (as Sonny Durham and His Orchestra)
    Robert Barron
    Robert Barron
    • Second Thugas Second Thug
    • (uncredited)
    Harold Belfer
    • Wally Raymondas Wally Raymond
    • (uncredited)
    John Berkes
    John Berkes
    • The Bearded Manas The Bearded Man
    • (uncredited)
    William Cabanne
    • Young Manas Young Man
    • (uncredited)
    Eddie Coke
    • Grandsonas Grandson
    • (uncredited)
    Eleanor Counts
    • Cigarette Girlas Cigarette Girl
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Edward F. Cline
    • Writers
      • Stanley Roberts(original story "Off the Beaten Path") (screenplay)
      • Mel Ronson(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    The shooting and murder of two guest stars at the Shady Ridge Summer Theatre, operated by Joan Barry, threatens to close the musical "Fun For All." To bolster the show, Joan induces Bill Edwards, who shares joint ownership with her, of the farm the theatre is located on, and Sheriff McKenzie, to hire the Jolly Jesters. They steal the show and, along the way, uncover a spy ring and a bullet-shooting clarinet. —Les Adams <lomghorn1939@suddenlink.net>
    • brother brother relationship
    • vaudeville
    • male female relationship
    • show business
    • off broadway
    • 2 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • FUN STARS ! TUNE-STARS! LOVE-STARS! Hep-steppers and Happy Honeys!
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Musical
      • Mystery
      • Romance
    • Certificate
      • Approved
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Working title: "Off the Beaten Track"
    • Quotes

      [When The Jolly Jesters learn that the performers they are replacing were murdered during the previous night's performance they bolt town]

      Jolly Jester: Imagine them calling the show "Fun for All".

      Jolly Jester: I'm glad we got out of there before they called it "Three Men in a Hearse".

    • Soundtracks
      Mr. Five by Five
      by Gene de Paul and Don Raye

      Performed by Grace McDonald

    User reviews5

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    The Ritz Brothers are allowed to mostly dominate Behind the Eight Ball
    Previously when they were at 20th Century-Fox, the Ritz Brothers were in support of such stars as Alice Faye, Don Ameche, and Sonja Henie. When they switched to Universal, they were usually the only stars in their pictures as they are here. So they get to perform many of their funny songs and dances as well as some funny one-liners. Despite them being the stars, however, there are other singers and dancers as well as a big band combo here. There's also a murder mystery here but that gets solved pretty quickly considering this is only an hour in length. So on that note, I say give Behind the Eight Ball a look.
    helpful•0
    0
    • tavm
    • Jul 12, 2019

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 4, 1942 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Off the Beaten Track
    • Filming locations
      • Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Universal Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Carol Bruce, William Demarest, Dick Foran, Grace McDonald, Al Ritz, Harry Ritz, Jimmy Ritz, and The Ritz Brothers in Behind the Eight Ball (1942)
    Top Gap
    By what name was Behind the Eight Ball (1942) officially released in Canada in English?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
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    Edit page

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