Bald-Faced Theft: Pilfered Plots And Heisted Humor

[earlytalkiebuffRob]

When I watched MAMA MIA!, I was struck by the resemblance to the plot of BUONA SERA, MRS CAMPBELL (1968), but can't recall any reviews mentioning it.

The recent film THE REVENANT, sounded very similar to MAN IN THE WILDERNESS (1971), which I've not seen since first release (unless it was soon after, on tv), and again, reviews I've read made no mention of this. A look on Wiki reveals that indeed both were based on the same incidents.

[CoffeeDan]

Lily Tomlin's entire act as the telephone operator on Laugh-In was lifted from a 30s film, but I can't remember the film's name or the actress who did those ringa dingies.

I watched that picture (early '30s) recently, within the last 3 months, & STILL can't remember the title!

I think I found her -- it's Helen Troy as the telephone operator in BORN TO DANCE (1936). When Eddie Cantor saw the picture, he added her to the cast of his Texaco Town radio show.

[entredeuxguerres]

Lily Tomlin's entire act as the telephone operator on Laugh-In was lifted from a 30s film, but I can't remember the film's name or the actress who did those ringa dingies.

I watched that picture (early '30s) recently, within the last 3 months, & STILL can't remember the title!

I think I found her -- it's Helen Troy as the telephone operator in BORN TO DANCE (1936). When Eddie Cantor saw the picture, he added her to the cast of his Texaco Town radio show.

Gee, I started watching that picture again just the other day on TCM, but at the first sight of idiot Buddy Ebsen, turned it off. But I'm glad you found it, & reminded us of the name.