RITZ BROTHERS

RITZ BROTHERS (b. Joachim), AL (1903–1965), JIMMY (1905–1985), and HARRY (1908–1986), U.S. vaudeville comedy team. Born in Newark, New Jersey, the Ritz Brothers began public appearances as the Collegians. Their act, which remained fairly constant for decades, was comprised of precision dancing, tongue-twisting song parodies, ethnic humor, and physical comedy. Their slapstick succeeded in several Broadway revues, and their first film was Sing, Baby, Sing (1936). Other films were: Life Begins in College (1937), One in a Million (1937), On the Avenue (1937), You Can't Have Everything (1937), The Goldwyn Follies (1938), Straight, Place and Show (1938), Kentucky Moonshine (1938), Pack Up Your Troubles (1939), The Gorilla (1939), The Three Musketeers (1939), Argentine Nights (1940), Behind the Eight Ball (1942), Nevera Dull Moment (1943), and Hi 'Ya Chum (1943). Their humor was better geared to a live audience, however, so they left the film industry and focused their attention on their nightclub appearances. Harry and Jimmy were among the star-studded cast of Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976). They all appeared on television. -BIBLIOGRAPHY: George Burns, All My Best Friends (1989); J. Robinson, Teamwork: The Cinema's Greatest Comedy Teams (1982). (Ruth Beloff (2nd ed.)