Laugh It Off is a 1939 American musical film directed by Albert S. Rogell and starring Johnny Downs, Constance Moore, Marjorie Rambeau and Cecil Cunningham. It was shot at Universal City in Hollywood. The film's sets were designed by the art director Jack Otterson.
Synopsis
Four veteran actresses are turned out of an retirement home for entertainers when the Spencer Trust that owns it goes bust. One of them gets her lawyer nephew to seek out the only remaining member of the Spencer family, a young woman named Ruth, who proves sympathetic but has no money to help. They next turn to the idea of reopening a failed gambling club as a popular nightclub in which they will all appear and sing. However this threatens to embarrass their respectable relations who try and prevent it.
Cast
Johnny Downs as Stephen 'Steve' Hannis
Constance Moore as Ruth Spencer
Marjorie Rambeau as Sylvia Swan
Cecil Cunningham as Tess Gibson
Hedda Hopper as Elizabeth 'Lizzie' Rockingham
Janet Beecher as Mary Carter
Edgar Kennedy as Judge John J. McGuinnis
Tom Dugan as Rod Bates
William Demarest as Barney 'Gimpy' Cole
Horace McMahon as Phil Ferrranti
Paula Stone as Linda Lane
Chester Clute as Eliot Rigby
Louise Bates as Ellen
John Dilson as Dr. Swan
Gertrude Hoffman as Carrie
Claire Whitney as Miss Martin
Lillian West as Sarah
Alan Edwards as Harvey Carter
Jack Norton as Thomas J. Carter, the Drunk
Brooks Benedict as Casino Croupier
Dale Van Sickel as Policeman
Fay McKenzie as Chorus Girl
References
Bibliography
Hischack, Thomas S.. 1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year. Rowman & Littlefield, 2017.