The Show-Off (1946 film)

The Show-Off is a 1946 American comedy film directed by Harry Beaumont based on the play of the same name by George Kelly. It stars Red Skelton and Marilyn Maxwell.^[2] It was previously filmed in 1926 as The Show-Off starring Ford Sterling, Lois Wilson and Louise Brooks and in 1934 as The Show-Off with Spencer Tracy and Madge Evans. Lois Wilson also appeared in the 1934 version, but in a different role.

The Show-Off
Directed by	Harry Beaumont
Screenplay by	George Wells
Based on	The Show-Off by George Kelly
Produced by	Albert Lewis
Starring	Red Skelton Marilyn Maxwell Marjorie Main
Cinematography	Robert H. Planck
Edited by	Douglass Biggs
Music by	David Snell
Production company	Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Distributed by	Loew's Inc.
Release date	December 1946 (1946-12)
Running time	83 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$863,000[1]
Box office	$2,379,000[1]

Plot

Amy Fisher's parents can't understand what their daughter sees in Aubrey Piper, a loudmouth and braggart who pretends to be more than the lowly clerk he is.

She marries Aubrey even though he can't seem to stop insulting others or interfering with their lives. He accidentally sets her inventor brother Joe's laboratory on fire and also wrecks a car, driving it without a license. He is kicked off a radio show for offending the sponsor and blows Joe's deal with a paint company by demanding the inventor be paid $100,000.

Things go from bad to worse as Amy and Aubrey move in with her parents. In the end, though, a change of heart from the paint company's boss seals Joe's deal and Aubrey gets the credit, pleasing everyone.

Cast

• Red Skelton as J. Aubrey Piper
• Marilyn Maxwell as Amy Fisher Piper
• Marjorie Main as Mrs. Fisher
• Marshall Thompson as Joe
• Virginia O'Brien as Hortense
• Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson as Eddie
• George Cleveland as Pop Fisher
• Leon Ames as Frank Harlin
• Marshall Thompson as Joe Fisher
• Jacqueline White as Clara Harlin
• Wilson Wood as Horace Adems
• Lila Leeds as Flo
• Emory Parnell as Mr. Appelton
• Francis Pierlot as Judge Ederman
• Russell Hicks as Mr. Thorbison
• Byron Foulger as Mr. Jenkins
• Frank Orth as Mr. Kopec
• Ida Moore as Mrs. Ascot
• Grady Sutton as Mr. Hotchkiss
• Charles Lane as Quiz Master
• Al Hill as Taxi Driver

Crew

• David Townsend - Art Director

Reception

The film earned $1,928,000 in the US and Canada and $451,000 elsewhere resulting in a profit of $723,000.^[1]

Radio adaptations

The Show-Off was presented on Lux Radio Theater in 1935 starring Joe E. Brown and 1943 starring Harold "Great Gildersleeve" Peary, Una Merkel, and Beulah Bondi, with slightly altered plot lines. Theatre Guild on the Air presented a one-hour adaptation on February 22, 1953 starring Paul Douglas and Jan Sterling.^[3]