So’s Your Aunt Emma! (1942)

Monogram Pictures released So’s Your Aunt Emma! (1942) on April 17, 1942. Zasu Pitts stars as Aunt Emma Bates. In her youth, Aunt Emma was engaged to up-and-coming professional fighter Jim O’Banion. Her sister didn’t approve of the match, so they sent her on a trip to break up the couple. Aunt Emma regretted it and starts following the career of his son, Mickey O’Banion.

Aunt Emma decides to go to town and watch Mickey fight. She makes the acquaintance of a report named Terry, played by Roger Pryor, and his estranged girlfriend Maris, played by Gwen Kenyon. Aunt Emma helps Terry and Maris repair their relationship, while also trying to steer Mickey away from the bad habits he is picking up.

Aunt Emma’s efforts land her in a gang war between Mickey’s manager Gus Hammond and his rival Flower Henderson. Complicating her predicament, Gus’ men think she is “Ma Parker”, a powerful gang leader. Aunt Emma’s antics provide most of the comedy in this film.

Zasu Pitts was born Eliza Susan Pitts on January 3, 1894 in Parson, Kansas. She started her acting career in silent films. She had a significant dramatic part as McTeague’s long-suffering wife in Greed (1921).

However, Pitts really made her name playing comedic roles in sound films. Pitts also continued to work in vaudeville and on radio before transitioning to television in the 1950s. During her long career, Pitts was credited with 219 roles in film and television.

She appeared in her last film, It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), at 69 years of age. Zasu Pitts died that same year on June 7, 1963 from the effects of cancer. Few actresses have left such a large and lasting legacy.

So’s Your Aunt Emma! is a better than average “B” film. Running 62 minutes, it is a light but enjoyable film.

You can leave a comment or ask a question about this or any post on my Facebook page and Twitter profile.

Pin It