1931 The Stolen Jools

"The Stolen Jools" is a 1931 American pre-Code comedy short film produced by the Masquers Club of Hollywood. The film was created for charity, with all proceeds going to the National Vaudeville Artists Tuberculosis Sanitarium. It is a unique and significant film because it features an unusually large number of cameo appearances by over 60 of the biggest film stars of the day, all of whom donated their time for the cause.

Here's a summary of the movie:

Title: The Stolen Jools (also known as The Slippery Pearls in the UK)

Release Year: 1931

Running Time: 20 minutes

Genre: Comedy, Short, Pre-Code

Plot: The film's simple premise revolves around a detective's search for jewels that have been stolen from actress Norma Shearer at a "Screen Stars Annual Ball." The detective's investigation leads him on a whirlwind tour of Hollywood, where he bumps into numerous famous actors, making everyone a suspect. The mystery is eventually solved by a young girl named Mitzi Green.

Key Actors (Cameos): The film's primary appeal is its star-studded cast, which includes dozens of major names from various studios, such as:

Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy

Buster Keaton

Edward G. Robinson

Gary Cooper

Joan Crawford

Wallace Beery

Barbara Stanwyck

Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

Fay Wray

The "Our Gang" cast (The Little Rascals)

Significance: The film is a fascinating historical artifact from the early sound era of Hollywood. Its thin plot serves mainly as a vehicle to showcase the many stars who volunteered their time. It's a testament to the community spirit of the era and offers a rare glimpse of so many iconic figures sharing the screen in a single, short production. The film was distributed free to theaters, with audiences being asked for donations after the screening.