Wonder Man
Goldwyn / RKO, 1945, Color, 98 minutes, ***
Released June, 1945
Danny Kaye plays a dual role in this comedy spotlighting his multitude of talents in singing, dancing and physical comedy. Just before he's about to testify against the mob, the fast-living nightclub entertainer Buzzy Bellew is slain. But Buzzy's ghost promptly proceeds to haunt his rather reserved, bookish twin Edwin... until Edwin agrees to take his place on the stage. Hoping to catch those responsible for the killing, the shy librarian not only capably steps into his double's dancing shoes, but also into the arms of Buzzy's fiancée.
Produced by: Samuel Goldwyn
Directed by: Bruce Humberstone
Screenplay by: Don Hartman, Melville Shavelson and Philip Rapp
Adaptation by: Jack Jevne and Eddie Moran
Original Story by: Arthur Sheekman
Otchi Tchorniya Number and Music and Lyrics for Bali Boogie and Opera Number by Sylvia Fine
The Song "So in Love" by Leo Robin and David Rose
Musical Numbers Orchestrated and Conducted by: Ray Heindorf
Musical Director: Louis Forbes
Dances: John Wray
Art Direction: Ernst Fegté
Associate: McClure Capps
Set Decorations: Howard Bristol
Costumes: Travis Banton
Make-up: Robert Stephanoff
Hair Stylist: Nina Roberts
Sound Recorder: Fred Lau
Directors of Photography: Victor Milner, William Snyder
Special Photographic Effects: John Fulton
In Technicolor
Technicolor Color Director: Natalie Kalmus
Associate: Mitchell Kovaleski
Editor: Daniel Mandell
Awards: Won Academy Award for Best Special Effects (John P. Fulton - photographic, Arthur Johns - sound). Academy Award Nominations for Best Original Song ("So in Love", David Rose - music, Leo Robin - lyrics), Best Score (Louis Forbes and Ray Heindorf) and Best Sound (Gordon Sawyer).
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 [Assistant District Attorney], Natalie Schafer [Mrs. Hume], Huntz Hall [Sailor], Virginia Gilmore [Sailor's Girl Friend], Ed Gargan [Policeman in Park], Alice Mock [Prima Donna], Gisela Werbisek [Mrs. Schmidt], The Goldwyn Girls [Themselves]; Additional Cast: Luis Alberni [Opera Prompter], Leon Belasco [Pianist], Carol Haney [Dancer], Bess Flowers [Pelican Club Extra / Opera Patron]
Musical Program: [0:06] Bali Boogie (sung and danced by Danny Kaye, Vera-Ellen and Goldwyn Girls; June Hutton dubbing for Vera Ellen); [0:35] Palpably Inadequate (comic number performed by Danny Kaye); [0:44] So in Love (sung and danced by Vera-Ellen with The Goldwyn Girls and male dancers; June Hutton dubbing for Vera-Ellen); [0:52] The Patter (comedy routine performed by Danny Kaye); [0:54] Otchi Tchorniya (slaughtered by Danny Kaye impersonating a Russian singer with bad alergies); [1:26] Opera Sequence (comic opera sequence performed by Danny Kaye and Ensemble - very funny!)
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