This week’s mystery movie was the 1934 Vitaphone short “Art Trouble,” with Harry Gribbon, Shemp Howard, Beatric Blinn and Leni Sengel. Writted by Jack Henley and Dolph Singer, photographed by E.B. DuPar, directed by Ralph Staub. According to the trades, it was released June 23, 1934, in a package of 29 Vitaphone one- and two-reelers scheduled for June through August, 1934.
“Art Trouble” appears to be available from Warner Archive on the Vitaphone Comedy Collection, Vol. 1. Warner Archive doesn’t list the contents, but they are available elsewhere.
“Art Trouble” is known today as the film debut of James Stewart, who – yes – gets roughed up by Shemp Howard. In every way, however, he is the James Stewart we know from much later films. Many of the performers are unidentified. Perhaps the Brain Trust can help identify them.
Aside from Stewart, there is all sorts of things going on in this film. It’s quite racy and definitely pre-Code.
Shockingly, the New York Times failed to review “Art Trouble.”
Herbert Mueller of the Texas Theatre in Seguin, Texas told Motion Picture Herald (July 28, 1934) it was a “very good comedy.” Seth H. Field, of the Dirigo Theatre, Ellsworth Maine, told the Motion Picture Herald: “Comedy that is way below the standard set by this company. There was no necessity of timing the jokes or gags to coincide with the audience laughter because there just wasn’t any of the latter.”
Film Daily (Sept. 18, 1934) called it an “amusing comedy.”
As a couple of painters who substitute for two rich brothers on a trip to Paris to study art, Harry Gribbon and Shemp Howard do a good job supplying laughs. Before the parents learn of the trick, Harry and Shemp have had quite a time of it in the Paris art salons, Apache rendezvous and other places. Should satisfy generally.
Here’s a sample:
Leni Stengel: Before we sit down with you we must know one thing.
Harry Gribbon: What is that?
Leni: Are you two boys married?
Harry: No. We’re just two very good friends.
There’s also an Apache dance (note to IMDB, NOT “unabashed”).
Subtle, sophisticated humor, of course…
These dancers are unidentified, and although I’m not an expert on the Apache dance, they seem quite good.
Which is burlesqued by Shemp Howard and Leni Stengel.
It does not end well for Mr. Shemp.
For Monday, we have a mystery chanteuse.
Update: Our mystery chanteuse is indeed mysterious as she’s not identified anywhere. She’s a good singer and I’m surprised no one has recognized her.
For Tuesday, we have a mystery woman.
Update: This is Gertrude Mudge.
For Wednesday, we have this mystery gent. He is not interested in such goings-on.
Update: This is Don Tomkins.
We also have this arty shot….
This mystery woman remains unidentified.
… and this arty shot – with newsboy cap!
Update: This mystery gent likewise remains unidentified.
… And finally, this mystery woman approves of some goings-on. But not others.
Update: This is Hope Landin.
For “Aha Thursday,” we have a mystery artist and his subjects….
Update: This is Harry Gribbon with three mystery models, still unidentified.
… A not terribly mysterious woman in a blurry screen cap….
This is, yes, Marjorie Main, with Harry Gribbon and Shemp Howard as Back of the Head Guys.
And our mystery artist with Wednesday’s mystery gent.
Update: This is Harry Gribbon and Don Tomkins.
For Friday we have two entirely unmysterious gents.
Update: This is James Stewart and Shemp Howard
Here’s a better look. “On to Woonsocket!”
Update: This is Don Tomkins and James Stewart.
Brain Trust roll call: Mary Mallory (mystery movie, Monday’s mystery woman in white hat, Tuesday’s mystery woman, Wednesday’s mystery guests and Thursday’s mystery guests) and Charles Kjelland (Thursday’s mystery woman).
ladailymirror.com 
This is Claudette Colbert and Gracie Allen in Hollywood on Parade, 1933.
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A good guess! You have nailed the era within a year.
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Wild guess: THOSE THREE FRENCH GIRLS . . .
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A bit early and the wrong studio….
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Sarah Padden.
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Good guess, but alas, I’m afraid not.
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Torch Singer … oh, but it’s not 1933.
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… and the wrong studio. But an excellent guess.
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Beulah Bondi today?
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Another good guess, but alas, I’m afraid not.
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Blanche Friderici for Tuesday?
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An interesting guess, but alas, I’m afraid not.
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Monday, Rosalie Roy and Mae Madison from Footlight Parade.
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Alas, the wrong year. But the right studio!
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Wednesday’s final mystery actress is channeling Simone Signoret
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An interesting observation, but alas….
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Florence Eldridge for Wednesday?
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An excellent guess. But alas….
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I just saw this the other day on TCM! ART TROUBLE. Beatrice Blinn and Leni Stengel Monday, Gertrude Mudge Tuesday, Don Tompkins, Leni Stengel, and Hope Landin Wednesday, Harry Gribbon, Marjorie Main, and Don Tompkins today. I couldn’t believe this was Jimmy Stewart’s first film!
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Marjorie Main today!
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Shemp Howard and Jimmy Stewart, and then Don Tomkins with Stewart.
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So that’s Mary Wickes with the bangs on Monday.
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Shemp Howard in Art Trouble.
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Didn’t get any of the mystery until today.
Art Trouble 1934
Mon. – The seated woman in the white hat is Beatrice Blinn.
Tues. – Gertrude Mudge (love that name)
Weds. – Don Thompkins and Hope Landin. I think the other two are Leni Stengel and Shemp Howard in ‘dramatic lighting’ poses – but I’m not sure.
Thurs. – Harry Gribbon, Marjorie Main, then Gribbon and Thompkins again
Fri. – James Stewart and Shemp Howard, then Stewart and Thompkins
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Art Trouble (1934)
Monday: Beatrice Blinn and Leni Stengel
Tuesday: Gertrude Mudge
Wednesday: Don Tomkins, Leni Stengel, Gayne Whitman, Hope Landin
Thursday: Eddie Gribbon, Marjorie Main
Friday: Shemp Howard, James Stewart
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Shown recently on tcm. I liked the “checkered paint” that Shemp & co. apply to a ship’s hull!
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