This film reveals a sober truth about the major radio programs of the 1930s and 1940s: they weren't very funny.  You can learn that by listening to tapes of the old shows, or you can watch this movie, which revolves around Fred Allen and features Jack Benny.  Sadly, there isn't a laugh in the film.  There is much absurdity and many attempts to be humorous, but nothing comes off.  It's like an Olson and Johnson film. It's In The Bag is an embarrassment for Fred Allen, Don Ameche, Jerry Colonna, and William Bendix fans.  Jack Benny admirers have long learned to expect this sort of thing from his movies.  The Robert Benchley bit may be the worst he ever filmed--and that's saying something!  Binnie Barnes is competent and still beautiful at 40, but her lines don't give her much to work with.  In short, this is a dud, best forgotten.
This film reveals a sober truth about the major radio programs of the 1930s and 1940s: they weren't very funny. You can learn that by listening to tapes of the old shows, or you can watch this movie, which revolves around Fred Allen and features Jack Benny. Sadly, there isn't a laugh in the film. There is much absurdity and many attempts to be humorous, but nothing comes off. It's like an Olson and Johnson film. It's In The Bag is an embarrassment for Fred Allen, Don Ameche, Jerry Colonna, and William Bendix fans. Jack Benny admirers have long learned to expect this sort of thing from his movies. The Robert Benchley bit may be the worst he ever filmed--and that's saying something! Binnie Barnes is competent and still beautiful at 40, but her lines don't give her much to work with. In short, this is a dud, best forgotten.