I accidentally stumbled onto this obscure musical short after watching another Betty Hutton performance on YouTube. The nonsense plot has some agents on Capitol Hill looking for the title character since they deem such a person a menace to society. (Good thing rock 'n' roll hadn't been invented yet!) Many of them disguise themselves as a country-western band (actually Tom Emerson's Hillbilly Sextette), and one becomes a tap dancer (actually Hal LeRoy who has appeared as such in several features and shorts). In the middle of this party is a short person who literally eats lit matches and cigarettes, some flowers, and a part of his own vest! He's Chaz Chase who I reviewed last year in a late silent short he was in where he did the exact same things I just described here. And then there's the real reason anyone would want to watch this today: Ms. Hutton in one of her earliest film appearances. Initially subdued here, she dances up a storm by her second number that brings everything to a rousing finish before the plot abruptly concludes with an almost violent end. Musical and comedy spots make the story filler tolerable and Betty proves here why she was a force to reckon with during much of the '40s. Chase was amusing in his own weird way and LeRoy danced some pretty good steps. All in all, Public Jitterbug Number One is worth a look for fans of these kinds of vintage musical shorts that provided theatregoers with some distraction during the late stages of the Depression.
7 Reviews
Betty Hutton as Public Jitterbug #1
jayraskin15 December 2009
The reason to see this is because it features two songs by an 18 year old Betty Hutton. It is on a DVD release of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers' eight film "Carefree" and on Betty Hutton's Satinsandspurs.com site. There are three other interesting vaudeville acts, so fans of vaudeville might be interested in it for that reason, but I'm a Betty Hutton fan, so the five minutes that she appears makes the film worth seeing for me.
Betty was a superstar for 15 years from circa 1942 to circa 1957(although she continued to entertain for 30 more years). It is great to see her here as Public Jitterbug #1. You can see how talented she is, even at age 18. She steals the picture.
Betty was a superstar for 15 years from circa 1942 to circa 1957(although she continued to entertain for 30 more years). It is great to see her here as Public Jitterbug #1. You can see how talented she is, even at age 18. She steals the picture.
Betty goes batty, but LeRoy would rather tap.
F Gwynplaine MacIntyre21 May 2007
Warning: Spoilers
'Public Jitterbug #1' is an excellent example of the sort of nonsense -- often highly entertaining nonsense -- which was ground out by Hollywood studios in the decades when a trip to the movies meant a double feature plus selected shorts. This 'Jitterbug' is a mini-musical: too brief (and too ephemeral) to be a feature film, but longer and more substantial than a mere short subject.
Another aspect of movies in the studio era is that they provided occasional showcases for vaudeville performers. Many vaudevillains spent literally years or even decades performing the same act, honing it to perfection. Vaudeville was killed when talking pictures came in, abetted by radio ... because now a vaudeville turn could perform its act ONCE, on film, and the whole world could see it. Here in 'Public Jitterbug' we get a character who's completely unrelated to the rest of the film: long-time vaudeville comedian Chaz Chase, who does a speciality act in which he strikes a match, lights a cigarette, takes a drag on the ciggie, eats the lit match, then eats the lit cigarette, then lights another match to ignite the matchbook, then swallows the burning matchbook, and so forth, eventually eating his own dickie. (The one that's his shirtfront, I mean.) Chase had performed this act on the Keith circuit in 1922, and he was still performing it on a television special in the mid-1970s: he does it here in this short too, and it's the only thing he CAN do.
There's some vague attempt at a story. A bunch of white guys in suits convene a meeting, which is apparently inside the Capitol building in Washington. (Erm, Congress aren't using it?) America is facing a crisis: everyone is listening to swing music (gasp!) and becoming jitterbugs (gasp! gasp!). The white guys vow to find 'Public Jitterbug Number One' and de-bug this dreaded jitterbug menace.
SLIGHT SPOILERS. The number-one jitterbug turns out to be vivacious young Betty Hutton. It's fascinating to see her at this early stage of her career, but frankly she was much better (and had better material) a few years later. One of the Federal agents trying to capture her is tap-dancer Hal LeRoy. I've knocked LeRoy in several other IMDb reviews. I hugely enjoy old-style tap dancing as performed by almost anyone else, but Hal LeRoy leaves me cold. I find him extremely effeminate and somewhat unnatural: his body seems too thin, his arms too long, and he holds his arms stiffly at a strange angle whilst dancing. LeRoy's taps are clear and his steps are technically proficient, but there's no joy beneath the taps. At one point, Betty Hutton's character offers to make love to him, but LeRoy replies he'd rather dance. I can well believe it.
At the end, the authorities show up to arrest Hutton. Now get this: LeRoy (who was supposed to arrest her himself) has fallen in love with Hutton. (Wouldn't he rather dance?) He tells the Feds that Hutton will no longer be Public Jitterbug #1 ... because he plans to marry her, appointing himself Public Jitterbug #1 and thereby relegating Wifey to the Public Jitterbug #2 spot. I guess this was meant to be a harmless joke, but I found it offensive, since it strongly implies that a wife is always second fiddle to her husband. The couple escape in a hail of bullets, the bullet holes spelling out 'The End'. Hoo boy!
Betty Hutton's career started promisingly, but self-destructed. I was saddened by how deeply forgotten she was at the time of her death. 'Public Jitterbug #1' isn't the best showcase for her distinctive talents -- I would nominate 'Annie Get Your Gun' -- but this short film is enjoyable, and it shows off the young Hutton very well. I'll rate this frothy concoction 6 out of 10.
Another aspect of movies in the studio era is that they provided occasional showcases for vaudeville performers. Many vaudevillains spent literally years or even decades performing the same act, honing it to perfection. Vaudeville was killed when talking pictures came in, abetted by radio ... because now a vaudeville turn could perform its act ONCE, on film, and the whole world could see it. Here in 'Public Jitterbug' we get a character who's completely unrelated to the rest of the film: long-time vaudeville comedian Chaz Chase, who does a speciality act in which he strikes a match, lights a cigarette, takes a drag on the ciggie, eats the lit match, then eats the lit cigarette, then lights another match to ignite the matchbook, then swallows the burning matchbook, and so forth, eventually eating his own dickie. (The one that's his shirtfront, I mean.) Chase had performed this act on the Keith circuit in 1922, and he was still performing it on a television special in the mid-1970s: he does it here in this short too, and it's the only thing he CAN do.
There's some vague attempt at a story. A bunch of white guys in suits convene a meeting, which is apparently inside the Capitol building in Washington. (Erm, Congress aren't using it?) America is facing a crisis: everyone is listening to swing music (gasp!) and becoming jitterbugs (gasp! gasp!). The white guys vow to find 'Public Jitterbug Number One' and de-bug this dreaded jitterbug menace.
SLIGHT SPOILERS. The number-one jitterbug turns out to be vivacious young Betty Hutton. It's fascinating to see her at this early stage of her career, but frankly she was much better (and had better material) a few years later. One of the Federal agents trying to capture her is tap-dancer Hal LeRoy. I've knocked LeRoy in several other IMDb reviews. I hugely enjoy old-style tap dancing as performed by almost anyone else, but Hal LeRoy leaves me cold. I find him extremely effeminate and somewhat unnatural: his body seems too thin, his arms too long, and he holds his arms stiffly at a strange angle whilst dancing. LeRoy's taps are clear and his steps are technically proficient, but there's no joy beneath the taps. At one point, Betty Hutton's character offers to make love to him, but LeRoy replies he'd rather dance. I can well believe it.
At the end, the authorities show up to arrest Hutton. Now get this: LeRoy (who was supposed to arrest her himself) has fallen in love with Hutton. (Wouldn't he rather dance?) He tells the Feds that Hutton will no longer be Public Jitterbug #1 ... because he plans to marry her, appointing himself Public Jitterbug #1 and thereby relegating Wifey to the Public Jitterbug #2 spot. I guess this was meant to be a harmless joke, but I found it offensive, since it strongly implies that a wife is always second fiddle to her husband. The couple escape in a hail of bullets, the bullet holes spelling out 'The End'. Hoo boy!
Betty Hutton's career started promisingly, but self-destructed. I was saddened by how deeply forgotten she was at the time of her death. 'Public Jitterbug #1' isn't the best showcase for her distinctive talents -- I would nominate 'Annie Get Your Gun' -- but this short film is enjoyable, and it shows off the young Hutton very well. I'll rate this frothy concoction 6 out of 10.
Petticoat Fluffing Felony
tedg7 February 2007
This is one of the most bizarre things you will encounter among the films that don't intend to be strange.
You probably will never see it, so let me describe it. It starts with a shot of the US capitol and switches to a group of men that are some mix of senators and G-men. They are upset that there is nothing on the radio but swing. A national disaster is declared.
The men decide that rather than capture all the offenders, they need to get the top guy. So everyone is sent out to catch "public jitterbug number 1." The scene shifts. Somehow they have decided that a certain club is the location of interest. Our G-men are now disguised as a country-western band! All except one who poses as a tap dancer.
What follows are three episodes. The first is our tapdancer, Hal Le Roy, who really does a phenomenal dance. Very good, with what must be silk pants ruffling. Then there's an episode that has nothing at all to do with the already incredible story: a guest Chaz Chase eats everything. And I mean everything: a cigarette lit on both ends, a dozen lit matches, flowers, all the food on the table, his own shirt, a harmonica and a police badge. When the badge comes back up, the G-men are revealed.
The third and last scene is Betty Hutton who admits to being public jitterbug number one. She sings, well enough. And she dances after a fashion. But she is wearing a full, floorlength dress (a sort of folk German affair) so if she is doing something special under there, you can't see it.
Finally, the tap dancer (who has fallen in love with Betty) turns against the group and runs away with her, bullets flying.
Its not enjoyable on its face. The print I saw was very bad. Betty has no charm at all. But it is one of the most mind bending story ideas I have even encountered. "Phantom Empire" from a few years earlier is another. I think there must have been drugs involved.
Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.
You probably will never see it, so let me describe it. It starts with a shot of the US capitol and switches to a group of men that are some mix of senators and G-men. They are upset that there is nothing on the radio but swing. A national disaster is declared.
The men decide that rather than capture all the offenders, they need to get the top guy. So everyone is sent out to catch "public jitterbug number 1." The scene shifts. Somehow they have decided that a certain club is the location of interest. Our G-men are now disguised as a country-western band! All except one who poses as a tap dancer.
What follows are three episodes. The first is our tapdancer, Hal Le Roy, who really does a phenomenal dance. Very good, with what must be silk pants ruffling. Then there's an episode that has nothing at all to do with the already incredible story: a guest Chaz Chase eats everything. And I mean everything: a cigarette lit on both ends, a dozen lit matches, flowers, all the food on the table, his own shirt, a harmonica and a police badge. When the badge comes back up, the G-men are revealed.
The third and last scene is Betty Hutton who admits to being public jitterbug number one. She sings, well enough. And she dances after a fashion. But she is wearing a full, floorlength dress (a sort of folk German affair) so if she is doing something special under there, you can't see it.
Finally, the tap dancer (who has fallen in love with Betty) turns against the group and runs away with her, bullets flying.
Its not enjoyable on its face. The print I saw was very bad. Betty has no charm at all. But it is one of the most mind bending story ideas I have even encountered. "Phantom Empire" from a few years earlier is another. I think there must have been drugs involved.
Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.
The Jitterbug as big a menace as the Red one
bkoganbing13 July 2016
A few years before her contract with Paramount and breakthrough to A film stardom, Betty Hutton could be seen in musical shorts like Public Jitterbug Number 1. Her personality comes through even with strange and banal material like this.
With the same zeal the FBI went after the Red Menace J. Edgar Hoover and his forces have determined the Jitterbug must be eradicated so our American way of life be preserved. Toward that end they've assigned special agent Hal LeRoy whose talents include dancing to locate and apprehend the woman known as Public Jitterbug Number 1.
Who of course is Betty Hutton. Aside from some musical numbers, yes this is as dopey as it sounds.
With the same zeal the FBI went after the Red Menace J. Edgar Hoover and his forces have determined the Jitterbug must be eradicated so our American way of life be preserved. Toward that end they've assigned special agent Hal LeRoy whose talents include dancing to locate and apprehend the woman known as Public Jitterbug Number 1.
Who of course is Betty Hutton. Aside from some musical numbers, yes this is as dopey as it sounds.
At 10:45 of this film a short guest at a dance party sidles up to the snack table . . .
oscaralbert11 February 2017
Warning: Spoilers
. . . and pokes his nose into a food dish to smell its contents. At 10:47 he plucks a sample from another dish and eats it. At 10:49 he bends over, picks a crumb off the floor, and swallows it. At 10:55 he snatches another sample from the second dish and stuffs it into his mouth. At 10:56 he dips his finger into a third dish, then licks off his digit. At 11:05 he grabs a taste from a fourth dish with his grimy little paw, and crams it down his pie hole. At 11:34 he scarfs down a blossom from a decorative bouquet. At 11:39 he opens a drawer belonging to his party hostess, and begins undoing four layers of packaging on the string-tied parcel. At 12:06 he gets to the joint inside, lights both ends of it, takes three puffs--and then chews up the lit joint and the lit match! At 12:28, 12:30, 12:32, 12:34, 12:36, 12:40, 12:42, 12:44, 12:45, 12:46, 12:47, and 12:48 he chews up a dozen more lit matches and books of flaming matches. At 13:08 he eats another blossom from the centerpiece bouquet. At 13:21 he begins salting everything on the serving table and consuming it, spraying his crumbs and drool everywhere. By 13:46 he's eaten ALL of the guest food, and starts chowing down on his own shirt! At 14:59 he salts the centerpiece and gulps down the rest of the bouquet. At 15:26 he swallows a harmonica, followed by a police badge at 15:44. This is more of a case of PUBLIC GLUTTON NO. 1!
Don't Put Your Hands Around Chase
Michael_Elliott22 June 2012
Public Jitterbug No. 1 (1939)
** 1/2 (out of 4)
This Warner two-reeler has the government going after the title character so a bunch of G-Men head to a nightclub where they witness a few acts while they try to determine who their bad guy is. The first act is Hal LeRoy who does some tap dancing. Up next is the strange Chaz Chase who eats anything he can get his hands on. There's also Betty Hutton who does a couple dance numbers and sings. Of course, today's viewers are going to mainly interested in this for their chance to see Hutton in her film debut. I can't say that had I seen this short in 1939 that I would have picked her out for stardom but there's no question she has a certain style that the camera captures and her dancing here is quite good. With that said, the main reason to watch this short is for the Chase act because he really does eat everything. He starts off eating his cigarette, all the matches in the book and then he gets to his clothes, flowers and even his napkin. This act is more weird than funny but it's certainly the highlight of the picture. For the most part all of the acts are entertaining enough and they make the film worth sitting through even with the rather silly story.
** 1/2 (out of 4)
This Warner two-reeler has the government going after the title character so a bunch of G-Men head to a nightclub where they witness a few acts while they try to determine who their bad guy is. The first act is Hal LeRoy who does some tap dancing. Up next is the strange Chaz Chase who eats anything he can get his hands on. There's also Betty Hutton who does a couple dance numbers and sings. Of course, today's viewers are going to mainly interested in this for their chance to see Hutton in her film debut. I can't say that had I seen this short in 1939 that I would have picked her out for stardom but there's no question she has a certain style that the camera captures and her dancing here is quite good. With that said, the main reason to watch this short is for the Chase act because he really does eat everything. He starts off eating his cigarette, all the matches in the book and then he gets to his clothes, flowers and even his napkin. This act is more weird than funny but it's certainly the highlight of the picture. For the most part all of the acts are entertaining enough and they make the film worth sitting through even with the rather silly story.
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