(1945)
3
Craig Butler
Devotees of the Russian novel that is its basis (The Twelve Chairs) may shake their heads, but those in the mood for a terribly silly romp should get a fair amount of entertainment from It's in the Bag. Dispensing with everything except the premise of the novel, Bag exists solely to give radio star Fred Allen a rare opportunity to guide a motion picture vehicle all on his own star power. Modern audiences inevitably won't get as much out of it as those in 1945 did, for Allen's persona is virtually unknown to most of today's viewers. Having a grounding in Allen-ania definitely helps to enjoy the piece, but even the uninitiated should find enough to make them chuckle and keep them watching. The laughs should start with the credits, which find Allen breaking the fourth wall to drily comment upon the names as they come and go. It would seem almost surreal, if Allen didn't somehow make it seem down-to-earth instead. There's a delightful Jack Benny section that plays upon the supposed rivalry between Benny and Allen, and Mrs. Nussbaum from Allen's radio show provides some welcome laughs as well. There also are a few spots that don't pan out, and it must be said that the screenplay is really nothing more than gags strung together. But Allen and company make it work; not a classic, but a very fun trip to another era.
It's in the Bag on AllMovie
It's in the Bag (1945)
