Wonder Man (1945)
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100% of critics liked it
(6 reviews) -
86% of users liked it
(1,400 ratings)
Danny Kaye plays the first of his cinematic dual roles in Goldwyn's Wonder Man. Kaye appears as timid librarian Edwin Dingle and Edwin's extroverted twin brother, nightclub entertainer Buzzy Bellew. When Buzzy witnesses a gangland shooting, he himself is rubbed out by mob boss Ten-Grand Jackson… More Danny Kaye plays the first of his cinematic dual roles in Goldwyn's Wonder Man. Kaye appears as timid librarian Edwin Dingle and Edwin's extroverted twin brother, nightclub entertainer Buzzy Bellew. When Buzzy witnesses a gangland shooting, he himself is rubbed out by mob boss Ten-Grand Jackson (Steve Cochran, in his movie debut). Before long, Edwin is visited by Buzzy's ghost, who persuades his bookish brother to help bring Jackson to justice. For the rest of the film, poor Edwin is possessed by his brother's sportive spirit, causing no end of confusion for Edwin's demure lady friend Ellen Shanley (Virginia Mayo) and Buzzy's more outgoing girlfriend, dancer Midge Mallon (Vera-Ellen, also making her first film appearance). Done up in splashy Technicolor, Wonder Man is perhaps Kaye's best Goldwyn-produced vehicle, permitting him to play a character (or characters) rather than a caricature. Highlights include an opera spoof (a variation of which showed up in Kaye's 1954 feature Knock on Wood), Danny's allergic rendition of "Otchi Chornya," and a wonderful vignette wherein Kaye imitates all the "inhabitants" of a pet shop. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Rating, Runtime
- G, 1 hr. 38 min.
- Directed By
- H. Bruce Humberstone
- Genres
- Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Jun 9, 1945 Wide
- On DVD
- Sep 29, 1998
- Studio
- Embassy Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
In this quintessential Danny Kaye vehicle, which won the special effects Oscar, the star plays the first of his several screen twins, a shy intellectual and a club entertainer.
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Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Kaye empresta toda sua histriônica energia aos dois personagens que interpreta, compensando a irregularidade do roteiro com sua graça habitual.
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James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Kaye at his most delightful: Potato salad! Prospect Park!
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Cast
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Danny Kayeas Buzzy Bellew -
Virginia Mayoas Ellen Shanley -
Vera-Ellenas Midge Mallon
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S.Z. Sakallas Schmidt -
Donald Woodsas Monte Rossen -
Allen Jenkinsas Chimp
![Karin [Katharine] Booth](http://content9.flixster.com/photo/13/65/58/13655855_tmb.jpg)
