LI'L ABNER (1940) Jeff York, Martha O'Driscoll & Buster Keaton | Comedy, Romance | B&W

Li'l Abner is a 1940 film based on the comic strip Li'l Abner created by Al Capp. The three most recognizable names associated with the film are Buster Keaton as Lonesome Polecat, Jeff York as Li'l Abner, and Milton Berle, who co-wrote the title song.

This was the first of two films based on the popular Al Capp strip, the second being Paramount's 1959 musical, Li'l Abner, which was also based on the hit 1956 Broadway musical Li'l Abner.

SYNOPSIS
"Lil Abner" is a 1940 comedy film directed by Albert S. Rogell. Set in the fictional town of Dogpatch, the story follows the adventures of the lovable hillbilly, Li'l Abner Yokum, and his colorful neighbors. When a government official arrives in Dogpatch to inform the townsfolk that their village will be used as a nuclear testing ground unless they can prove it has some value, Abner, along with his sweetheart Daisy Mae and the rest of the eccentric residents, must come up with a plan to save their home. Filled with humor and satire, the film is a lively adaptation of Al Capp's popular comic strip.

CAST & CREW
Jeff York as Li'l Abner Yokum
Martha O'Driscoll as Daisy Mae Scragg
Mona Ray as Mammy Yokum
Johnnie Morris as Pappy Yokum
Buster Keaton as Lonesome Polecat
Bud Jamison as Marryin' Sam
Kay Sutton as Wendy Wilecat
Al St. John as Hairless Joe

Director: Albert S. Rogell
Screenplay: Walter DeLeon
Story: Al Capp
Producer: Lou Brock
Cinematography: Milton R. Krasner
Editor: Arthur Hilton
Music: Werner R. Heymann
Production Company: RKO Radio Pictures
Distributor: RKO Radio Pictures
Release Date: November 8, 1940
Country of Origin: United States
Running Time: 78 minutes