Wonder Man (1945)

Director:

H. Bruce Humberstone

Writers:

Arthur Sheekman (story)
Jack Jevne (adaptation) ...

Release Date:

26 March 1946 (Sweden)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical | Fantasy

Plot:

Boisterous nightclub entertainer Buzzy Bellew was the witness to a murder committed by gangster Ten Grand Jackson...

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Gangster | Ghost | Witness | Twins

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 3 nominations

Cast

Danny Kaye	...	Edwin Dingle / Buzzy Bellew
Virginia Mayo	...	Ellen Shanley
Vera-Ellen	...	Midge Mallon
Donald Woods	...	Monte Rossen
S.Z. Sakall	...	Schmidt
Allen Jenkins	...	Chimp
Edward Brophy	...	Torso
Steve Cochran	...	Ten Grand Jackson
Otto Kruger	...	Distrcit Attorney
Richard Lane	...	Asst. District Attorney
Natalie Schafer	...	Mrs. Hume
Huntz Hall	...	Sailor
Virginia Gilmore	...	Sailor's Girl Friend
Edward Gargan	...	Policeman in Park (as Ed Gargan)
Alice Mock	...	Prima Donna

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

Australia:PG | Australia:G (TV rating) | Finland:K-16 | Portugal:M/6 | USA:Unrated | Sweden:15

Company:

Samuel Goldwyn Company, The

Trivia:

Vera-Ellen's first film.

Quotes:

Edwin Dingle: In fact, I don't think I'm ever going to see Buster again.
[he hears the spooky Buster music and gasps]
Edwin Dingle: Buster!
Buzzy's Ghost: [popping out of a box] I'm a little devil, ain't I?

Movie Connections:

Featured in 100 Years of Comedy (1997) (V)

Soundtrack:

So in Love

Fantastic

I love this film! I can't believe that people can love Danny Kaye in such mediocre films as "Hans Christian Anderson" or "The Court Jester" and not even have heard of this one. Kaye simply steals the show as both a nervous book-worm and as his popular night-club performer brother. "Cuddles" Sekall is equally great with his rib-splittingly hilarious delicatessan-owner ("I ask you vot you vant?") and Otto Kruger also has a role in the film. A part to look out for is the part where the ghost of the murdered night-club performing brother Buster gets inside the body of his brother for the first time, making the shy book-worm start dancing all over the place insanely. The only thing that I would say is wrong with this film (and with many other Samuel Goldwyn films for that matter) are the ghastly scenes featuring the Goldwyn Girls. But this film does contain a very funny sequence in which Kaye sings Orci-cogna (I don't know how you spell it) only getting continuous bouts of hay-fever. Oh, and I certainly couldn't write a review on this film and omit the great opera scene at the end where Kaye ends up having to have to sing clues about a murder to the police. This film a rightly deserved oscar for best special effects, and was nominated for a few others including best song. All in all, a highly underrated film that is well worth seeing. Enjoy! 10/10