The Great Mr. Nobody (1941)

Perpetual-optimist "Dreamy" Smith aspires to quit his job as newspaper publicity drudge and sail the world. But life--and his editor--conspires against him. Not only does the car he intends... See full summary »

Director:

Benjamin Stoloff

Writers:

Ben Markson (screenplay), Kenneth Gamet (screenplay),

Stars:

Eddie Albert, Joan Leslie, Alan Hale

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Eddie Albert	...	Robert 'Dreamy' Smith
Joan Leslie	...	Mary Clover
Alan Hale	...	'Skipper' Martin
William Lundigan	...	Richard Amesworth
John Litel	...	John Wade
Charles Trowbridge	...	Grover Dillon
Paul Hurst	...	Michael O'Connor
Dickie Moore	...	'Limpy' Barnes
John Ridgely	...	Eddie Williams
Douglas Kennedy	...	Mr. McGraw
George Campeau	...	Mr. Hanes
William 'Billy' Benedict	...	Jig (as William Benedict)
Helen MacKellar	...	Mrs. Barnes
Joyce Tucker	...	Janet Barnes
Mary Field	...	Miss Frame

Storyline

Perpetual-optimist "Dreamy" Smith aspires to quit his job as newspaper publicity drudge and sail the world. But life--and his editor--conspires against him. Not only does the car he intends using as the boat's downpayment roll into the bay, but his boss starts to claim "Dreamy's" better publicity ideas as his own.

---

Plot Keywords:

newspaper | bar | self sacrifice | jealousy | loyalty | 

---

Taglines:

YOU KNOW HIM! Just another guy...until he met THE girl!

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 February 1941 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

71 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Several cast members in studio records/casting call lists did not appear or were not identifiable in the movie. These were (with their character names): John 'Skins' Miller (Attendant), Raymond Bailey (Driver), Lottie Williams (On-looker), Leo White (On-looker), Paul Panzer (On-looker) and Don Turner (Hartley). There was a character called "Harley," but he was played by Eddie Graham.

---

Goofs

William 'Billy' Benedict is credited as "Jig," but he is called "Jigs' throughout.

---

Connections

Version of How Baxter Butted In (1925)

---

Soundtracks

"A Life on the Ocean Wave"
(1838) (uncredited)
Music by Henry Russell
Lyrics by Epes Sargent
Variations often in the score
Sung and whistled by Alan Hale

User Reviews

Three Cheers For Dreamy!

This probably never figured high in Eddie Albert's resume. Indeed, at first I almost skipped it: The opening scenes with "Skipper" Alan Hale are most unpromising.

(All scenes involving him pull the movie down, in fact.) But it is a very sweet tale, once given a chance. Albert plays newspaper clerk Dreamy, who is far too kind and honorable for his own good. The well-being of his charming girlfriend Joan Leslie also suffers.

He allows his boss to steal his ideas and take credit for them. He helps out any of the downtrodden. Figuring most noticeably in this category is Limpy, the lame newspaper boy, played by Dickie Moore. He and his family are recipients of great, selfless kindness by Dreamy.

It has a happy ending, though not a typical Hollywood ending: After Dreamy has been recognized for the hero he is, he is given some news that thrills him. Indeed, it could be seen as good news. But his final line is funny,ironic, a bit off-kilter, and very touching.