''Blondie Goes Latin'', also known as ''Conga Swing'', is a 1941 American

comedy film A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending (black comedy being an exception). Comedy is one of the ol ...

directed by

Frank R. Strayer Frank Raymond Strayer (September 21, 1891 – February 3, 1964) was an actor, film writer, director and producer. He was active from the mid-1920s until the early 1950s. He directed a series of 14 '' Blondie!'' (1938) movies as well. Biography ...

and

Robert Sparks Robert Earl Sparks (born September 11, 1947) is an American former handball player who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics and in the 1976 Summer Olympics. He was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, and was a resident of Clark, New Jersey when he ...

and starring

Penny Singleton Penny Singleton (born Mariana Dorothy McNulty, September 15, 1908 – November 12, 2003) was an American actress, singer, dancer and labor leader. During her 60-year career on stage, screen, radio and television, Singleton appeared as the ...

, Arthur Lake, and

Larry Simms Larry Lee Simms (October 1, 1934 – June 17, 2009) was an American child actor who appeared in 36 films between 1937 and 1951. Life and career Larry Simms was born October 1, 1934. He worked as a child model from the age of two and was disc ...

. It is the eighth of the Blondie films. The film showcases musical numbers of Kirby Grant, Ruth Terry, Tito Guizar, with Arthur Lake displaying his drum skills, Penny Singleton her singing and dancing prowess.

Plot summary

Mr. Dithers generously invites the three Bumsteads to go with him on an ocean cruise to Latin America and "not think about business." As they are on the ship ready to leave, a telegram arrives from a buyer anxious to meet very soon to purchase a property the Dithers company has had on sale for a long time. Because Dithers badly needs to relax from stress, it is decided that just Dagwood alone should return home to meet with the client. However, before Dagwood can debark, the drummer of the ship's dance band is taken ill, so Dagwood, despite his protests, is recruited to take his place. He dresses as a woman while drumming, so his family and Dithers won't recognize him. Meanwhile, a handsome Latin gentleman on board shows Blondie attention and dines with her. In the end, Dagwood's remaining on the ship turns out to be fortuitous, as the client buying the property is revealed as a con man.

Partial cast

as Blondie Bumstead * Arthur Lake as Dagwood Bumstead *

as Baby Dumpling Bumstead * Daisy as Daisy *

Ruth Terry Ruth Mae Terry (born Ruth Mae McMahon, October 21, 1920 – March 11, 2016) was an American singer and actress in film and television from the 1930s to the 1960s. She claimed her stage name came from Walter Winchell, who combined the names ...

as Lovey Nelson, the Singer *

Danny Mummert Danny is a masculine given name. It is related to the male name Daniel. It may refer to: People * Danny Altmann, British immunologist * Danny Antonucci, Canadian animator, director, producer, and writer *Danny Baker (born 1957), English journal ...

as Alvin Fuddle *

Jonathan Hale Jonathan Hale (born Jonathan Hatley; March 21, 1891 – February 28, 1966) was a Canadian-born film and television actor. Life and career Hale was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Before his acting career, Hale worked in the Diplomatic Co ...

as Mr. J.C. Dithers * Janet Burston as Little Girl Singer and Piano Player *

Kirby Grant Kirby Grant (November 24, 1911 – October 30, 1985), born Kirby Grant Hoon Jr., was a long-time B movie and television actor, mostly remembered for having played the title role in the Western-themed adventure television series ''Sky King''. B ...

as Hal Trent, Orchestra Leader *

Tito Guízar Federico Arturo Guízar Tolentino (; April 8, 1908 – December 24, 1999), known professionally as Tito Guízar, was a Mexican singer and actor. Along with Dolores del Río, Ramón Novarro and Lupe Vélez, as well as José Mojica, Guízar was ...

as Manuel Rodríguez

Soundtrack

* ''You Don't Play a Drum, You Beat It'' ** Music and Lyrics by Chet Forrest and Bob Wright ** Played by Kirby Grant and Orchestra with Arthur Lake on drums ** Sung by Ruth Terry an orchestra quartet ** Reprised at the end by the orchestra and Penny Singleton * ''I Hate Music Lessons'' ** Music and Lyrics by Chet Forrest and Bob Wright ** Played on piano by Janet Burston ** Sung by Janet Burston and Larry Simms * ''Solteiro e melhor'' ** Music and Lyrics by Ruben Sores and Felisberto Silva ** English Lyrics by William Morgan ** Played by Kirby Grant and Orchestra with Tito Guízar on guitar ** Sung in Spanish by Tito Guízar * ''Querida'' ** Music and Lyrics by Chet Forrest and Bob Wright ** Played by Kirby Grant and Orchestra with Tito Guízar on guitar ** Sung in Spanish by Tito Guízar ** Reprised by Tito Guízar and Penny Singleton singing in English ** Reprised again by Penny Singleton at the end * ''You Can Cry On My Shoulder'' ** Music and Lyrics by Chet Forrest and Bob Wright ** Played by Kirby Grant and Orchestra with Arthur Lake on drums ** Sung by Ruth Terry an orchestra quartet * ''Brazilian Cotillion'' ** Music and Lyrics by Chet Forrest and Bob Wright ** Played by Kirby Grant and Orchestra ** Sung by Tito Guízar, Penny Singleton and the orchestra quartet ** Danced to by Tito Guízar and Penny Singleton ** Reprised at the end with Penny Singleton dancing with Arthur Lake and Larry Simms dancing with Janet Burston

References

Bibliography

* Young, Nancy K. & Young, William H. ''World War II and the Postwar Years in America: A Historical and Cultural Encyclopedia''. ABC-CLIO, 2010.

External links

* * * * 1941 films American black-and-white films 1941 comedy films 1940s English-language films Films directed by Frank R. Strayer Columbia Pictures films Blondie (film series) films 1940s American films {{1940s-comedy-film-stub