Ball of Fire backdrop

Ball of Fire 1941 Directed by Howard Hawks

“I LOVE HIM because he doesn't know how to kiss—THE JERK!”

A group of academics have spent years shut up in a house working on the definitive encyclopedia. When one of them discovers that his entry on slang is hopelessly outdated, he ventures into the wide world to learn about the evolving language. Here he meets Sugarpuss O’Shea, a nightclub singer, who’s on top of all the slang—and, it just so happens, needs a place to stay.

Country USA
Production Country USA
Language English
Spoken Language English
Revenue $2,641,000
Release Date 2 December 1941
111 mins
Cast
Gary Cooper Professor Bertram Potts
Barbara Stanwyck Sugarpuss O’Shea
Oskar Homolka Prof. Gurkakoff
Henry Travers Prof. Jerome
S.Z. Sakall Prof. Magenbruch
Tully Marshall Prof. Robinson
Leonid Kinskey Prof. Quintana
Richard Haydn Prof. Oddly
Aubrey Mather Prof. Peagram
Allen Jenkins Garbage Man
Dana Andrews Joe Lilac
Dan Duryea Duke Pastrami
Ralph Peters Asthma Anderson
Kathleen Howard Miss Bragg
Charles Arnt McNeary
Mary Field Miss Totten
Alan Rhein 'Horseface'
Eddie Foster Pinstripe
Aldrich Bowker Justice of the Peace
Addison Richards District Attorney
Kenneth Howell College Boy
Tim Ryan Motor Policeman
Gene Krupa Himself — Orchestra Leader
Tommy Ryan Newsboy
Will Lee “Benny — the Creep”
George Barton Garbage Man (uncredited)
Doria Caron Girl in Subway (uncredited)
Ken Christy Cop with Ms. Bragg (uncredited)
Eddy Chandler Cop on Garbage Truck (uncredited)
Edward Clark Motor Court Proprietor (uncredited)
Pat Flaherty Deputy (uncredited)
Otto Hoffman Stage Doorman (uncredited)
Ethelreda Leopold Nursemaid at Park (uncredited)
Lorraine Miller Girl in Café (uncredited)
Ruth Clifford Chorus Girl (uncredited)
Yvonne Duval Chorus Girl (uncredited)
Joyce Matthews Chorus Girl (uncredited)
Patsy Moran Chorus Girl (uncredited)
Mildred Morris Chorus Girl (uncredited)
Edward Mundy Spieler (uncredited)
Gerald Pierce Delivery Boy (uncredited)
Lynne Roberts Veiled Woman in Gene Krupa’s Audience (uncredited)
Francis Sayles Taxi Driver (uncredited)
Helen Seamon College Girl (uncredited)
George Sherwood Deputy (uncredited)
Walter Shumway Garbage Man (uncredited)
Bert Stevens Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Russell Wade Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Chalky Williams Cop (uncredited)
Martha Tilton Sugarpuss O'Shea (singing voice) (uncredited)
John Alban Baseball Game Spectator (uncredited)
Tex Brodus Passerby (uncredited)
Chet De Vito Tollkeeper (uncredited)
Roy Eldridge Trumpeter (uncredited)
Geraldine Fissette Hula Dancer (uncredited)
Laura Gile Date of Prof. Bertram Potts (uncredited)
George Golden Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Catherine Henderson College Girl (uncredited)
June Horne Nursemaid at Park (uncredited)
Merrillee Lannon Girl in Subway (uncredited)
Jean MacMurray Chorus Girl (uncredited)
Hal McIntyre Saxaphonist (uncredited)
Mike Morelli Pool Hall Patron (uncredited)
William H. O'Brien Baseball Game Spectator (uncredited)
Jack Perry Pool Hall Patron (uncredited)