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Mr. Universe (1951) More at IMDbPro »

Overview

User Rating:
6.3/10   16 votes
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Director:
Joseph Lerner
Writer:
Earle Kramer (original screenplay)
Release Date:
10 January 1951 (USA) more
Genre:
Comedy | Romance | Sport more
Plot:
A gullible and honest "Mr. Universe" winner, Tommy Tomkins, gets added to the stable of a con-man and a wrestling prompter... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
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User Comments:
If you've got some time to spare and can find it, this film is worth at least half-a box of popcorn. more (1 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Jack Carson ... Jeff Clayton
Janis Paige ... Lorraine
Vince Edwards ... Tommy Tomkins (as Vincent Edwards)
Bert Lahr ... Joe Pulaski
Robert Alda ... Fingers Maroni
Max 'Slapsie Maxie' Rosenbloom (as Slapsy Maxie Rosenbloom)
Joyce Mathews (as Joyce Matthews)
Harry Landers
Donald Novis
Murray Rothenberg
Dennis James ... Announcer
The Missing Link ... Wrestler - The Missing Link
Chief Flying Mare ... Wrestler - Chief Flying Mare
Gorilla Hogan ... Wrestler - Gorilla Hogan
Newton the Teuton ... Wrestler - Newton the Teuton
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Additional Details

Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents
Runtime:
USA:89 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Black and White
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
USA:Approved (PCA #14905) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | Sweden:Btl
Company:
Laurel Films more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
According to her book "Enter Talking", comedienne Joan Rivers was a 16-year-old chubby extra in the audience cheering on the wrestling match. more

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User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
11 out of 13 people found the following comment useful.
If you've got some time to spare and can find it, this film is worth at least half-a box of popcorn., 15 April 1999
Author: brisky from Glendale, CA

Long before he was Ben Casey, Vince Edwards dyed his hair platinum blonde, pumped iron and turned himself into quite the handsome little bodybuilding studboy. Taking note of his "natural" attributes, this little serio-comedy/gangster film takes place in a gym where down on his luck promoter Jack Carson takes a Mr. Universe contestant (Vince Edwards) and turns him into a professional wrestler (in the best tradition of Gorgeous George). Burt Lahr and Janis Paige do their best to pump life into this low budget retread and former champion Slapsie Maxie Rosenbloom is thrown into the mix to give the situation some credibility. It just goes to show that the film business ain't all diamonds and caviar when you see the likes of Robert Alda and the normally great Jack Carson literally throwing their respective careers away with this $1.98 production.

There is a classic sequence showing an actual Mr. Universe pageant circa 1950. The bathing suits alone are worth the price of admission and of course there's always a possibility that the brilliantine in Mr. Edwards hair will take over the camera and set, just like the Blob, and obliterate all concerned.

Seriously, watch this film if you want to see 50's beefcake or how low a low budget movie can get.

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