The Nitwits
The Nitwits is a 1935 American comedy film directed by George Stevens from a screenplay written by Fred Guiol and Al Boasberg, based on a story by Stuart Palmer. Released by RKO on June 7, 1935, the film stars the comedy duo of Wheeler & Woolsey (Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey), with featured roles being filled by Fred Keating, Betty Grable, Evelyn Brent and Erik Rhodes. Fred Keating replaced Lionel Atwill, who later played the villain in the 1946 remake, "Genius at Work". Plot. Cigar-stand attendants Johnny (Wheeler) and Newton (Woolsey) get mixed up in a murder investigation  at a radio station. Production. The film's original title was "Mellodicks", which Lee Marcus, the producer, found repugnant. He offered $50 to any employee of RKO who could come up with a better title. While he received numerous suggestions, he finally settled on the picture's final title, which had been a generic title around the RKO lot for years.