Hugh Herbert
Encyclopedia
Hugh Herbert was a motion picture comedian. He began his career in vaudeville
, and wrote more than 150 plays and sketches.
's "hoo hoo, hoo hoo" phrase during the early years of the character. So many imitators (including Curly Howard
of The Three Stooges) copied the catchphrase as "woo woo" that Herbert actually adopted "woo woo" himself in the 1940s.
Herbert's earliest movies, like Wheeler & Woolsey
's 1930 feature Hook, Line and Sinker
, cast him in generic comedy roles that could have been taken by any comedian. Herbert soon developed his own unique screen personality, complete with a silly giggle, and this new character caught on quickly. He was frequently featured in Warner Brothers
films of the 1930s, including Footlight Parade
, Dames
, Bureau of Missing Persons
, Fog Over Frisco
, Fashions of 1934
, Gold Diggers of 1935
, as well the 1935 film adaptation
of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. He also played leads in B comedies, notably Sh! The Octopus, a 1937 comedy-mystery featuring an exceptional unmasking of the culprit. Herbert was often caricatured in Warners' Looney Tunes
shorts of the '30s and '40s, such as The Hardship of Miles Standish and Speaking of the Weather.
In 1939 Herbert signed with Universal Pictures
, where, as at Warners, he played supporting roles in major films, and leading roles in minor ones. One of his best-received performances from this period is in the Olsen and Johnson
comedy Hellzapoppin'
, in which Hugh plays a nutty detective.
Herbert joined Columbia Pictures
in 1943 and became a familiar face in short subjects, with the same actors and directors who made the Stooges shorts. He continued to star in these comedies for the remainder of his life. Shortly before his death from a heart attack
in 1952, he appeared on network television, making a surprise appearance (in drag) on a live Spike Jones
show.
He co-wrote the screenplay for the 1928 film Lights of New York
and contributed to 1929's The Great Gabbo
.
Herbert has a "star" on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
.
and The Three Stooges may recall Tom Herbert as the nervous bartender confronted by Lupe Vélez
in Hollywood Party. He is featured in Warners' 1940 short subject Double or Nothing — as Hugh Herbert's movie double.
Vaudeville
Vaudeville was a theatrical genre of variety entertainment in the United States and Canada from the early 1880s until the early 1930s. Each performance was made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill...
, and wrote more than 150 plays and sketches.
Career
The advent of talking pictures brought stage-trained actors to Hollywood, and Hugh Herbert soon became a popular movie comedian. His screen character was usually absent-minded and flustered. He would flutter his fingers together and talk to himself, repeating the same phrases: "hoo-hoo-hoo, wonderful, wonderful, hoo hoo hoo!" This catchphrase inspired Daffy DuckDaffy Duck
Daffy Duck is an animated cartoon character in the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of cartoons, often running the gamut between being the best friend and sometimes arch-rival of Bugs Bunny...
's "hoo hoo, hoo hoo" phrase during the early years of the character. So many imitators (including Curly Howard
Curly Howard
Jerome Lester "Jerry" Horwitz , better known by his stage name Curly Howard, was an American comedian and vaudevillian. He is best known as a member of the American slapstick comedy team the Three Stooges, along with his older brothers Moe Howard and Shemp Howard, and actor Larry Fine...
of The Three Stooges) copied the catchphrase as "woo woo" that Herbert actually adopted "woo woo" himself in the 1940s.
Herbert's earliest movies, like Wheeler & Woolsey
Wheeler & Woolsey
Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey were a famous American film comedy team of the 1930s....
's 1930 feature Hook, Line and Sinker
Hook, Line and Sinker (1930 film)
Hook, Line and Sinker is a 1930 slapstick comedy film starring Wheeler & Woolsey with Dorothy Lee. It was directed by Edward F. Cline.-Plot summary:...
, cast him in generic comedy roles that could have been taken by any comedian. Herbert soon developed his own unique screen personality, complete with a silly giggle, and this new character caught on quickly. He was frequently featured in Warner Brothers
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., also known as Warner Bros. Pictures or simply Warner Bros. , is an American producer of film and television entertainment.One of the major film studios, it is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters in Burbank,...
films of the 1930s, including Footlight Parade
Footlight Parade
-Cast:*James Cagney as Chester Kent, creator of musical prologues*Joan Blondell as Nan Prescott, his secretary*Ruby Keeler as Bea Thorn, dancer turned secretary turned dancer*Dick Powell as Scott 'Scotty' Blair, juvenile lead, former protege of Mrs...
, Dames
Dames
Dames is a 1934 Warner Bros. musical comedy film directed by Ray Enright with dance numbers created by Busby Berkeley. The film stars Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell, Joan Blondell, Guy Kibbee, ZaSu Pitts, and Hugh Herbert...
, Bureau of Missing Persons
Bureau of Missing Persons
Bureau of Missing Persons is a 1933 American drama film with comic overtones directed by Roy Del Ruth. The screenplay by Robert Presnell is based on a story by Carol Bird adapted from the book Missing Men by former New York City police captain John H...
, Fog Over Frisco
Fog Over Frisco
Fog Over Frisco is a 1934 American drama film directed by William Dieterle. The screenplay by Robert N. Lee and Eugene Solow was based on the short story The Five Fragments by George Dyer.-Plot:...
, Fashions of 1934
Fashions of 1934
-Cast:*William Powell as Sherwood Nash*Bette Davis as Lynn Mason*Frank McHugh as Snap*Reginald Owen as Oscar Baroque*Verree Teasdale as Grand Duchess Alix*Hugh Herbert as Joe Ward*Henry O'Neill as Duryea...
, Gold Diggers of 1935
Gold Diggers of 1935
Gold Diggers of 1935 is a Warner Bros. musical film directed and choreographed by Busby Berkeley and starring Dick Powell, Gloria Stuart, Adolphe Menjou, Winifred Shaw, Alice Brady, Hugh Herbert and Frank McHugh...
, as well the 1935 film adaptation
A Midsummer Night's Dream (1935 film)
A Midsummer Night's Dream is a 1935 film directed by Max Reinhardt and William Dieterle, produced by Henry Blanke and Hal Wallis, and adapted by Charles Kenyon and Mary C. McCall Jr...
of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. He also played leads in B comedies, notably Sh! The Octopus, a 1937 comedy-mystery featuring an exceptional unmasking of the culprit. Herbert was often caricatured in Warners' Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes is a Warner Bros. animated cartoon series. It preceded the Merrie Melodies series and was Warner Bros.'s first animated theatrical series. Since its first official release, 1930's Sinkin' in the Bathtub, the series has become a worldwide media franchise, spawning several television...
shorts of the '30s and '40s, such as The Hardship of Miles Standish and Speaking of the Weather.
In 1939 Herbert signed with Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures
-1920:* White Youth* The Flaming Disc* Am I Dreaming?* The Dragon's Net* The Adorable Savage* Putting It Over* The Line Runners-1921:* The Fire Eater* A Battle of Wits* Dream Girl* The Millionaire...
, where, as at Warners, he played supporting roles in major films, and leading roles in minor ones. One of his best-received performances from this period is in the Olsen and Johnson
Olsen and Johnson
John Sigvard "Ole" Olsen and Harold Ogden "Chic" Johnson were zany American comedians of vaudeville, radio, the Broadway stage, motion pictures and television. Their shows were noted for their crazy blackout gags and orchestrated mayhem...
comedy Hellzapoppin'
Hellzapoppin' (film)
Hellzapoppin' is a 1941 Universal Pictures adaptation of the musical of the same name directed by H.C. Potter. The cast includes Ole Olsen and Chic Johnson , Martha Raye, Mischa Auer, Shemp Howard, and The Six Hits.The credits for the movie assert that "any resemblance between Hellzapoppin and a...
, in which Hugh plays a nutty detective.
Herbert joined Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
in 1943 and became a familiar face in short subjects, with the same actors and directors who made the Stooges shorts. He continued to star in these comedies for the remainder of his life. Shortly before his death from a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
in 1952, he appeared on network television, making a surprise appearance (in drag) on a live Spike Jones
Spike Jones
Mel Blanc, the voice of Bugs Bunny and other Warner Brothers cartoon characters, performed a drunken, hiccuping verse for 1942's "Clink! Clink! Another Drink"...
show.
He co-wrote the screenplay for the 1928 film Lights of New York
Lights of New York (1928 film)
Lights of New York was the first all-talking feature film, released by Warner Brothers and directed by Bryan Foy. The film, which cost only $23,000 to produce, grossed over $1,000,000. It was also the first film to define the crime genre...
and contributed to 1929's The Great Gabbo
The Great Gabbo
The Great Gabbo is an American early sound film musical drama film directed by James Cruze, based on a story by Ben Hecht and starring Erich von Stroheim and Betty Compson....
.
Herbert has a "star" on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame consists of more than 2,400 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along fifteen blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, California...
.
Personal
Hugh's brother, Tom Herbert, was also a screen comedian who played mildly flustered roles. Fans of Laurel and HardyLaurel and Hardy
Laurel and Hardy were one of the most popular and critically acclaimed comedy double acts of the early Classical Hollywood era of American cinema...
and The Three Stooges may recall Tom Herbert as the nervous bartender confronted by Lupe Vélez
Lupe Vélez
Lupe Vélez was a Mexican film actress. Vélez began her career in Mexico as a dancer, before moving to the U.S. where she worked in vaudeville. She was seen by Fanny Brice who promoted her, and Vélez soon entered films, making her first appearance in 1924. By the end of the decade she had...
in Hollywood Party. He is featured in Warners' 1940 short subject Double or Nothing — as Hugh Herbert's movie double.
Partial filmography
- Danger LightsDanger LightsDanger Lights is a 1930 film starring Louis Wolheim, Robert Armstrong, and Jean Arthur.The plot concerns railroading on the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, and the movie was largely filmed along that railroad's lines in Montana...
(1930) - Hook, Line and SinkerHook, Line and Sinker (1930 film)Hook, Line and Sinker is a 1930 slapstick comedy film starring Wheeler & Woolsey with Dorothy Lee. It was directed by Edward F. Cline.-Plot summary:...
(1930) - Friends and LoversFriends and Lovers (1931 film)Friends and Lovers is a 1931 American drama film directed by Victor Schertzinger and starring Adolphe Menjou, Lili Damita, Laurence Olivier, Erich von Stroheim and Hugh Herbert...
(1931) - Traveling HusbandsTraveling HusbandsTraveling Husbands is a 1931 American comedy film directed by Paul Sloane and starring Evelyn Brent.- Cast :* Evelyn Brent as Ruby Smith* Frank Albertson as Barry Greene* Constance Cummings as Ellen Wilson* Hugh Herbert as Hymie Schwartz...
(1931) - The Lost SquadronThe Lost SquadronThe Lost Squadron is a action film starring Richard Dix, Mary Astor, and Robert Armstrong, with Erich von Stroheim and Joel McCrea, and released by RKO Radio Pictures. The film is about three World War I pilots who find jobs after the war as Hollywood stunt fliers...
(1932) - Million Dollar Legs (1932)
- FaithlessFaithless (1932 film)Faithless is a 1932 romantic drama film about a spoiled socialite who learns a sharp lesson when she loses all her money during the Great Depression. It stars Tallulah Bankhead and Robert Montgomery...
(1932) - Goodbye AgainGoodbye Again (1933 film)Goodbye Again is a 1933 comedy film made by First National Pictures/Warner Bros.. It was directed by Michael Curtiz and produced byHenry Blanke from a screenplay by Ben Markson, based on the play by George Haight and Allan Scott. Cinematography was by George Barnes and costume design by...
(1933) - Bureau of Missing PersonsBureau of Missing PersonsBureau of Missing Persons is a 1933 American drama film with comic overtones directed by Roy Del Ruth. The screenplay by Robert Presnell is based on a story by Carol Bird adapted from the book Missing Men by former New York City police captain John H...
(1933) - Footlight ParadeFootlight Parade-Cast:*James Cagney as Chester Kent, creator of musical prologues*Joan Blondell as Nan Prescott, his secretary*Ruby Keeler as Bea Thorn, dancer turned secretary turned dancer*Dick Powell as Scott 'Scotty' Blair, juvenile lead, former protege of Mrs...
(1933) - College CoachCollege CoachCollege Coach is a 1933 drama film starring Dick Powell and Ann Dvorak. The film features John Wayne in his last bit-part role.-Cast:* Dick Powell - Philip 'Phil'/'Sarge' Sargeant* Ann Dvorak - Claire Gore...
(1933) - Fashions of 1934Fashions of 1934-Cast:*William Powell as Sherwood Nash*Bette Davis as Lynn Mason*Frank McHugh as Snap*Reginald Owen as Oscar Baroque*Verree Teasdale as Grand Duchess Alix*Hugh Herbert as Joe Ward*Henry O'Neill as Duryea...
(1934) - Wonder BarWonder BarWonder Bar is a 1934 pre-code movie adaptation of a Broadway musical of the same name directed by Lloyd Bacon with musical numbers created by Busby Berkeley...
(1934) - Fog Over FriscoFog Over FriscoFog Over Frisco is a 1934 American drama film directed by William Dieterle. The screenplay by Robert N. Lee and Eugene Solow was based on the short story The Five Fragments by George Dyer.-Plot:...
(1934) - DamesDamesDames is a 1934 Warner Bros. musical comedy film directed by Ray Enright with dance numbers created by Busby Berkeley. The film stars Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell, Joan Blondell, Guy Kibbee, ZaSu Pitts, and Hugh Herbert...
(1934) - Gold Diggers of 1935Gold Diggers of 1935Gold Diggers of 1935 is a Warner Bros. musical film directed and choreographed by Busby Berkeley and starring Dick Powell, Gloria Stuart, Adolphe Menjou, Winifred Shaw, Alice Brady, Hugh Herbert and Frank McHugh...
(1935) - Traveling Saleslady (1935)
- A Midsummer Night's DreamA Midsummer Night's Dream (1935 film)A Midsummer Night's Dream is a 1935 film directed by Max Reinhardt and William Dieterle, produced by Henry Blanke and Hal Wallis, and adapted by Charles Kenyon and Mary C. McCall Jr...
(1935) - ColleenColleen (1936 film)Colleen is a 1936 Warner Bros. musical film directed by Alfred E. Green. It stars Dick Powell, Ruby Keeler, and Joan Blondell.-Plot:Colleen is the manager of a dress shop named "The Ames Company", owned by Donald Ames. They try to keep Uncle Cedric from working, because he'll ruin the company....
(1936) - One Rainy AfternoonOne Rainy AfternoonOne Rainy Afternoon is a 1936 romantic comedy film directed by Rowland V. Lee, starring Francis Lederer and Ida Lupino and featuring Hugh Herbert, Roland Young and Erik Rhodes...
(1936) - Gold Diggers in ParisGold Diggers in ParisGold Diggers in Paris is a 1938 Warner Bros. movie musical directed by Ray Enright with musical numbers created and directed by Busby Berkeley, starring Rudy Vallee, Rosemary Lane, Hugh Herbert and Allen Jenkins.-Plot:...
(1938) - Men Are Such FoolsMen Are Such FoolsMen are Such Fools is a 1938 American romantic comedy film made by Warner Brothers, directed by Busby Berkeley — and starring Humphrey Bogart, Priscilla Lane, Wayne Morris, and Hugh Herbert. The story was based on a Saturday Evening Post Story by Faith Baldwin...
(1938) - Four's a CrowdFour's a CrowdFour's a Crowd is a romantic comedy directed by Michael Curtiz and released by Warner Brothers.-Cast:* Errol Flynn .... Robert Kensington 'Bob' Lansford* Olivia de Havilland.... Lorri Dillingwell* Rosalind Russell .... Jean Christy...
(1938) - The Lady's from KentuckyThe Lady's from KentuckyThe Lady's from Kentucky is a 1939 film starring George Raft and Ellen Drew. The movie was written by Malcolm Stuart Boylan from a story by Rowland Brown, and was directed by Alexander Hall. The screenplay involves a failing bookie who becomes half owner of a racehorse, with a Kentucky lady ...
(1939) - Eternally YoursEternally Yours (film)Eternally Yours is a 1939 American comedy film made by Walter Wanger and released by United Artists. The film was produced and directed by Tay Garnett with Walter Wanger as executive producer, from a screenplay by C. Graham Baker and Gene Towne....
(1939) - Private AffairsPrivate AffairsPrivate Affairs is a 1940 film comedy starring Nancy Kelly, with a supporting cast including Hugh Herbert, Roland Young, and Robert Cummings. The movie was directed by Albert S...
(1940) - A Little Bit of Heaven (1940)
- The Black CatThe Black Cat (1941 film)The Black Cat is a 1941 film based on the short story by Edgar Allan Poe. Actor Bela Lugosi also appeared in the 1934 adaptation of the story. The comedy/horror film was directed by Albert S. Rogell, and starred Basil Rathbone.-Main cast:...
(1941) - Hellzapoppin'Hellzapoppin' (film)Hellzapoppin' is a 1941 Universal Pictures adaptation of the musical of the same name directed by H.C. Potter. The cast includes Ole Olsen and Chic Johnson , Martha Raye, Mischa Auer, Shemp Howard, and The Six Hits.The credits for the movie assert that "any resemblance between Hellzapoppin and a...
(1941) - Don't Get PersonalDon't Get PersonalDon't Get Personal is a 1942 American romantic musical film directed by Charles Lamont and starring Jane Frazee.-Cast:* Hugh Herbert - Elmer Whippet / Oscar Whippet* Mischa Auer - Stainslaus Noodnick aka Charlie* Jane Frazee - Mary Reynolds...
(1942) - There's One Born Every MinuteThere's One Born Every MinuteThere's One Born Every Minute is a 1942 American Universal Pictures comedy film directed by Harold Young. It was the debut film of Elizabeth Taylor.-Cast:*Hugh Herbert ... Lemuel P. Twine / Abner Twine / Colonel Cladius Zebediah Twine...
(1942) - KismetKismet (1944 film)Kismet is a 1944 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film in Technicolor starring Ronald Colman, Marlene Dietrich, Joy Page, and Florence Bates. James Craig played the young Caliph of Baghdad, and Edward Arnold was the treacherous Grand Vizier...
(1944) - Music for MillionsMusic for MillionsMusic for Millions is a 1944 musical comedy film directed by Henry Koster. It was nominated for an Academy Award in 1946.-Plot:"Mike" , age 6, arrives in New York to stay with her sister Barbara Ainsworth , who lived together with a group of girls, her co-players in a symphony orchestra...
(1944) - A Song Is BornA Song Is BornA Song Is Born was a 1948 Technicolor musical film remake, starring Danny Kaye and Virginia Mayo, of 1941 movie Ball of Fire with Gary Cooper...
(1948) - So This Is New York (1948)
- The Beautiful Blonde from Bashful BendThe Beautiful Blonde from Bashful BendThe Beautiful Blonde from Bashful Bend is a 1949 romantic comedy Western film starring Betty Grable and featuring Cesar Romero and Rudy Vallee...
(1949) - One Shivery NightOne Shivery NightOne Shivery Night is an American comedy short released by Columbia Pictures on July 13, 1950. It stars Hugh Herbert, Dudley Dickerson, Vernon Dent, Philip Van Zandt, and Robert Williams. This was the last of four "scare comedies" that teamed Herbert and Dickerson together.-Plot:Hugh Herbert is the...
(1950 short)