It's in the Bag

It's in the Bag! is a 1945 comedy featuring Fred Allen in his only starring film role. The film was released by United Artists at a time when Allen was at the peak of his fame as one of the highest-rated comedians on radio. A flea circus ringmaster (Allen) has strange encounters as he searches for his inheritance, hidden in one of five chairs. The film is based on the comic novel The Twelve Chairs (1928), later filmed by Mel Brooks as The Twelve ... more

It's in the Bag! is a 1945 comedy featuring Fred Allen in his only starring film role. The film was released by United Artists at a time when Allen was at the peak of his fame as one of the highest-rated comedians on radio. A flea circus ringmaster (Allen) has strange encounters as he searches for his inheritance, hidden in one of five chairs. The film is based on the comic novel The Twelve Chairs (1928), later filmed by Mel Brooks as The Twelve Chairs (1970). The team of screenwriters included Jay Dratler, Alma Reville (wife of Alfred Hitchcock) and Morrie Ryskind. Cameo appearances include Jack Benny, William Bendix, Don Ameche, Rudy Vallee, Jerry Colonna, Robert Benchley, John Carradine and Sidney Toler. less