The Nitwits is a 1935 American comedy film directed by George Stevens from a screenplay written by Fred Guiol and Al Boasberg, based on a story by Stuart Palmer. Released by RKO on June 7, 1935, the film stars the comedy duo of Wheeler & Woolsey (Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey), with featured roles being filled by Fred Keating, Betty Grable, Evelyn Brent and Erik Rhodes.
The Nitwits | |
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Directed by | George Stevens |
Screenplay by | Fred Guiol Al Boasberg |
Story by | Stuart Palmer |
Produced by | Lee Marcus |
Starring | Bert Wheeler Robert Woolsey |
Cinematography | Edward Cronjager |
Edited by | John Lockert |
Music by | Roy Webb |
Production company | |
Release date |
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Running time | 81 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Fred Keating replaced Lionel Atwill, who later played the villain in the 1946 remake, Genius at Work.[2]
Cigar-stand attendants Johnny and Newton get mixed up in a murder investigation at a radio station.
The film's original title was Mellodicks, which Lee Marcus, the producer, found repugnant. He offered $50 to any employee of RKO who could come up with a better title. While he received numerous suggestions, he finally settled on the picture's final title, which had been a generic title around the RKO lot for years.[3]