A genuinely bizarre oddity, this madcap comedy is fascinating not only for its many very funny moments, but also for its purely cinematic gags which are surprisingly modern in tone and significance. The fact that Olsen and Johnson's revue-style material dispenses with plot allows them to ignore realism and play around with the medium itself resulting in a film which is breathtaking in terms of speed, imagination and sheer craziness. (adapted from Time Out)

Hellzapoppin' started life as a hit Broadway revue produced by and starring the comedy duo of Ole Olsen and Chic Johnson. It ran for 1404 performances before making it to the screen in 1941. Olsen and Johnson used the film as an opportunity to satirise Hollywood and riff on conventional moviemaking, creating in effect a picture which is a movie within a movie within a play within a movie. The film also contains what many people consider to be the best example of swing dancing ever put on film. So why not take a break from the bleak January weather and spend an evening with some classic Hollywood escapism.

To mark the Star and Shadow's 20th year of championing cinema we are revisiting films from our last two decades of programming under the banner of 20 for 20. We last showed Hellzapoppin' back in January 2020 as part of our Jump Cut Film and Dance Festival but think the time is long overdue for this forgotten gem to be shown once again.

Our screenings involve licensing, utilities, equipment and building costs, so our pricing is built on trust and solidarity. Paying what you can helps keep the space open and accessible for everyone, and if you are able to choose a higher tier, it helps others attend who may not otherwise be able to. Please choose the tier you can comfortably afford. No turned away for lack of fund (zero price tickets available on the door for those who would otherwise not be able to attend). Solidarity, not charity!