Everything's Ducky (1961)

Director:

Don Taylor

Writers:

Benedict Freedman (writer)
John Fenton Murray (writer)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Two sailors sneak a talking duck on board their ship. Complications ensue. |

Plot Keywords:

Duck | Navy

Cast

Mickey Rooney	...	Kermit 'Beetle' McKay
Buddy Hackett	...	Seaman Admiral John Paul 'Ad' Jones
Jackie Cooper	...	Lt. J.S. Parmell - Psychiatrist
Joanie Sommers	...	Nina Lloyd
Roland Winters	...	Capt. Lewis Bollinger
Elizabeth MacRae	...	Susie Penrose
Gene Blakely	...	Lt. Cmdr. Bernard Kemp
Gordon Jones	...	Chief Petty Officer Conroy
Richard Deacon	...	Dr. Deckham
James Millhollin	...	George Imhoff - Lab Assistant
Jimmy Cross	...	Drunk
Robert Williams	...	Duck Hunter
King Calder	...	Frank - Bartender
Ellie Kent	...	Nurse
William Hellinger	...	Corpsman

Runtime:

80 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Barbroo Productions

Trivia:

During a barroom brawl scene, Mickey Rooney walked off the set because the amateurs hired were out of control; this led to the formation of the Stuntmen's Association.

Quotes:

The Duck: I left the egg -- in Winnipeg!

Quacky!

"Everything's Ducky", a 1961 broad, slapstick fantasy, has the feel of a 60s Disney comedy. I believe that it is TV director Don Taylor's first big screen project. The idea for the film is alright, but it all should have been broader. Mickey Rooney is a first rate comedian who never found the right vehicle after his tenure at MGM. He wanted to be part of a team and even asked Bud Abbott to team up with him after Lou Costello's death. Here, Rooney is teamed with Buddy Hackett. They look good together, but they are not permitted to work out routines together. Rooney is a solid burlesque pro, and Hackett was known for his use of blue material. There isn't even any double entendre humor here. Rooney and Hackett could have been dynamite with proper material. This film doesn't even have enough slapstick to make it work.

Joanie Sommers is wasted here as Rooney's "love" interest, but Elizabeth MacRae puts in a convincing performance as Hackett's girl friend. Although Jackie Cooper gets good billing in the credits, he only has a small cameo. Richard Deacon gives his usual solid performance as a fruity scientist. Roland Winters, as Rooney and Hackett's commanding officer, is much too restrained; he needed to play this over the top. It was a nice surprise to see Alvy "Mr. Kimball" Moore, from "Green Acres" as a messenger. A major disappointment was Walker Edmiston's nondescript voice as the duck.

The Hi Los sing two catchy songs by Harold Spina. According to the credits there were supposed to be three songs. But where are the songs for Joanie Sommers? She would have done well by Spina's catchy tunes. A duet with Rooney would have been nice.

Unfortunately, the film does not have a real conclusion. Like a poor two reel comedy, it just stops. I wonder if the production company ran out of money.