In 1938, Erwin was booked to play Dagwood opposite
Una Merkel as his
blonde missus, when
Chic Young's Blondie comic-strip couple hit the
screen. Finally, the role (in some 28 films across 12 years) went to
Arthur Lake and
Penny Singleton. Ironically, Erwin made one film in the much-loved
series,
Blondie for Victory (1942).