Scatterbrain (film)

Last updated
Scatterbrain
Scatterbrain poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Gus Meins
Screenplay byVal Burton
Jack Townley
Paul Conlan
Produced byGus Meins
Starring Judy Canova
Alan Mowbray
Ruth Donnelly
Eddie Foy Jr.
Joseph Cawthorn
Wallace Ford
Cinematography Ernest Miller
Edited byErnest J. Nims
Music by William Lava
Production
company
Distributed byRepublic Pictures
Release date
  • July 20, 1940 (1940-07-20)
Running time
73 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Scatterbrain is a 1940 American comedy film directed by Gus Meins and written by Val Burton, Jack Townley and Paul Conlan. The film stars Judy Canova, Alan Mowbray, Ruth Donnelly, Eddie Foy Jr., Joseph Cawthorn and Wallace Ford. The film was released on July 20, 1940, by Republic Pictures. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

Plot

Eddie MacIntyre, press agent, talent scout, and right-hand man to J.R. Russell, Producer/Director of Perfection Pictures, is planning a scheme in which he will "plant" his girlfriend, actress Esther Harrington, in the Ozark Mountains, then "discover" her for the role of "Ruthybelle" in Perfection's upcoming production, "Thunder Over the Ozarks." With the full approval of Nicholas Raptis, Goldwynian president of Perfection Pictures, Eddie farms Esther out to a hillbilly family to remain until she is "discovered"---a discovery to be accompanied by fanfare and publicity. Russell has heard a recording or Esther's voice, but he has never seen her, and when he arrives in the Ozarks he "discovers" the wrong girl and signs up Judy Hull, daughter of the hillbilly family, instead of Esther. The mistake is not discovered until Judy and her Pappy arrive in Hollywood and she becomes Perfection's Public Problem Number One. Because there are no loopholes in her contract, Perfection is obligated to use her, but if they do her hillbilly antics will make them the laughingstock of the industry. Or so they think. But they finally discover a loophole that reads her contract is null and void if she marries before the film is produced. Russell informs Eddie that it is up to him to court and marry Judy so the contract can be voided. But Eddie's plan is to hire Professor De Lemma, a specialist in mind transference, to persuade Judy that she doesn't want to be a movie star and wants to return home to her cows, pigs, and chickens. But Judy does want to be a movie star, and Pappy has sold the farm, become a part of the Hollywood colony, and is playing polo with producers named Darrell.

Cast

References

  1. "Scatterbrain (1940) - Overview". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved 2015-11-03.
  2. Hal Erickson. "Scatterbrain (1940) - Gus Meins". AllMovie. Retrieved 2018-10-18.
  3. "Scatterbrain". Afi.com. Retrieved 2015-11-03.