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Footlight Glamour

1943

2/5

There's a major missed opportunity in this one, and I'm shocked that it didn't happen.

The plot involves Mr. Dithers trying to cut a deal with an old colleague of his (as always happens), and in return Dagwood will board his daughter Vicky for a few weeks and stop her becoming an actress and marrying her theater director. Vicky ends up writing a play and recruiting all of the recurring characters (including Mrs. Dithers, who makes her first real appearance in the series) to be in it. On the day of the show, everything goes horribly wrong, Dagwood, Blondie, and Vicky are horribly embarrassed and give up acting altogether.

But here's the thing.

For all the audience knows, it was all part of the show. They continue to laugh throughout the performance, and several "mistakes" actually seem perfectly timed. I was fully expecting some kind of theater critic to come in at the end and praise them for the amazing comedic performance. If I was in the audience, I'd assume it was some kind of absurdist piece.

That, unfortunately, didn't happen, and it's a shame.

The near divorce in this one is actually part of the play, as Dagwood and Blondie are supposed to be a married couple separating over another woman, which is extremely meta. Dagwood doesn't punch anyone this time, though he does get slapped by Vicky due to the flower on his lapel being a trick one that sprays her in the face.