Hellzapoppin'

How do you go about describing chaos? Called 'Pythonesque' by some, Hellzapoppin' was ground breaking stuff for its time (1941). The film is based on the Broadway hit of the same name, a theatrical revue of slap stick absurdity of which it was said no two shows were alike. The cinematic version follows main characters Ole and Chic in their bid to make a movie.

Plot plays second fiddle to surreality, and though Ole Olsen and Chic Johnson never had the following of Laurel and Hardy or the Marx brothers, they are capable comics who pioneer the cartoon-like silliness seen years later in The Goon Show. The special effects are brilliantly innovative for their time, challenging the idea of the audience as 'fourth wall'. Characters argue with their creators, people go from set to set, changing environments and costumes as they go, buried deep in banter. The ceaseless camera tricks and visual gags are only interrupted by random show tunes, synchronized swimming, talking dogs, bears on push bikes, boxes of cats, and baby rabbits.

If you like good old-fashioned one-linered, running-gagged, slap-sticked Lindy Hop featuring completely random comedy, this is for you. If not then expect the most baffling 80 minutes of your life.