Today's film will probably be the shortest film we present on the blog. At 20 minutes in length, it's definitely in the running for the top spot in that category. 1931's "The Stolen Jools" was sent to theaters to raise money for charity. All this film's movie stars and studios donated their time for the project. The film's lengthy cast includes Wallace Beery, Buster Keaton, Edward G. Robinson, Eddie Kane, Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Norma Shearer, Hedda Hopper, Joan Crawford, William Haines, Fifi D'Orsay, Irene Dunne, Eugene Pallette, Wynne Gibson, Gary Cooper, Maurice Chevalier, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Loretta Young, Charles Butterworth, Bebe Daniels, Ben Lyon, Barbara Stanwyck, Frank Fay, Jack Oakie, Fay Wray, George "Gabby" Hayes, Mitzi Green, Joe E. Brown, The Little Rascals, and Pete The Dog.
As we see here, this short film was made to raise funds for the N.V.A. Tuberculosis Sanitarium. I find it odd that a cigarette company put up the money so this film could be made to benefit respiratory diseases.
After the stage is set, the film picks up it's pace and introduces us to a bevy of stars very quickly. (Sidennote: In the film, the Screen Stars Annual Ball was held at the home of Norma Shearer.)
A report comes in to the police station that Norma Shearer's jewels have been stolen.
Right away, it seems that everyone is anxious to distance themselves from the crime.
The task of finding the whereabouts of the jewels is given to Inspector Kane, who wastes no time in investigating.
Inspector Kane's first stop is Norma Shearer's residence, where we find she has invited the Little Rascals for ice cream.
When Inspector Kane questions Miss Shearer, he tells her, "I'll find your jewels or die." "I wish you would," comes Norma's reply.
Among the people the inspector questions is Irene Dunne, who suspiciously seems to know all the details of the jewels, but hasn't see them at all.
The local newspaper office run by editor Gary Cooper tries to get on top of the story as well.
Barbara Stanwyck and her husband Frank Fay are even questioned by Kane.
And even Joe E. Brown is suspected before Inspector Kane finally comes to solve the case. Cast rundown:
Joe E. Brown............................................Robbery Suspect
Pete The Dog............................................Pete And that's all for The Stolen Jools. This film was thought to be lost. It was rediscovered after a print was found in the UK in the 1990s. A print was later found in the US under the alternate title of The Slippery Pearls.
It's a fun little film. I really enjoy seeing all the old Hollywood stars working together. I wish movie studios would do full-length films like this today. Since this film is in the public domain, it's available to view in full here. As always, if you wish to leave a comment, please remember our posting rules.
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