The 28 Apr 1928 Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World announced plans by Universal Pictures Corp. for a third entry in the “Cohens and Kellys” series, and the first to feature a synchronized soundtrack. George Sidney had already agreed to reprise his role as “Cohen,” while J. Farrell MacDonald was under consideration for his second appearance as “Kelly.” Charlie Murray had assumed the role in the first installment, The Cohens and Kellys (1926, see entry). The 19 May 1928 Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World credited Joseph Franklin Poland and Matt Taylor with the original screenplay.
       As stated in the 26 Jul 1928 Exhibitors Daily Review, production was scheduled to begin 6 Aug 1928 in Atlantic City, NJ. George Sidney, who was currently in New York City, was expected to join the company following its arrival from Los Angeles, CA. Taylor was in the process of writing dialogue for the film. The 16 Aug 1928 start of principal photography was reported in the previous day’s Exhibitors Daily Review. Veteran comic Mack Swain had replaced MacDonald, as noted in the 18 Aug 1928 Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World. The article erroneously gave the company’s location as Florida. Doris Hill was included among the cast, according to the Feb 1929 Screenland. Also joining the company was a young Atlantic City resident who appeared in the “Summer Girl” beauty contest sequence, identified as Elsie Herman in the 29 Sep 1928 Motion Picture News, and Elsie Allen in the 10 Nov 1928 IExhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World.
       According to the 30 Aug 1928 Exhibitors Daily Review, the company returned to Universal Studios in Universal City, CA, to film interior scenes, following ten days on location. The conclusion of principal photography was reported in the 20 Oct 1928 Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World.
       The 16 Feb 1929 Universal Weekly announced a scheduled opening on St. Patrick’s Day, which was to be the release date for all subsequent installments in the series.
       The Cohens and Kellys in Atlantic City opened 16 Mar 1929 in New York City, and later that week at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles, CA. Reviews were unenthusiastic, with several critics dismissing the film as low or “slapstick” comedy. Universal continued the series through 1933, with Charles Murray as “Kelly.”