Starring Danny Kaye, Gene Tierney, Corinne Calvert, and Marcel Dalio
Directed by Walter Lang
Music and Lyrics by various
Wonder Man was far from the last time Kaye played a double role. This is a remake of two earlier Fox musicals, the Maurice Chevalier vehicle Follies Bergere from 1935 and That Night In Rio with Don Ameche from 1941. How does this version stack up with those two? Let's begin with a montage of fun on the French Rivera as the title song accompanies glimpses of water skiing, sun-kissed shores, and beautiful people and find out...
The Story: American comedian Jack Martin (Kaye) is performing at a major nightclub in the Riviera with his French girlfriend and partner Colette (Calvert). One of his acts happens to make fun of a famous French aviator and hero, Captain Henri Duran (Kaye). Henri may be a hero in the eyes of the public, but to his glamorous wife Lili (Tierney), he's a philanderer who cares little about her.
His partners are more concerned when they learn their aviation business may go under. Henri goes to Paris to secure funding, but his rival Felix Puriton (Jean Murat) has already come to the Riviera. Henri's partners hire Jack to play Henri and fool Felix into giving them money for their business, and then to play Henri at a party Lili's giving in his honor. Lili's delighted with the sudden change in her husband, and Jack's smitten. Collette, however, is not amused...and neither is Henri when he finally comes back.
The Song and Dance: Kaye's uncanny ability to play two people and a few good numbers carry this story. He's as believable as the smooth Henri as he is the everyman Jack and deserved his Golden Globe win. In fact, it's nice to see Kaye playing at least one non-nervous, non-foolish normal guy. Also, kudos to 20th Century Fox for attempting at least some authenticity in its mostly French cast. There's some nice Technicolor here, too, and absolutely stunning early 50's gowns.
Favorite Number: As mentioned, the movie begins with the title song over a montage of the sights and sounds of the French Riviera. Jack picks it up with a bevy of dancers at the club. "Popo the Puppet" is a bizarre chorus number for Jack's big TV appearance that has the chorus in pirouette costumes and strings singing about Jack's annoying marionette character. (The song went over so well, Kaye continued to use it in his real-life act for years.) He sings "Chica Chica Boom Chic" while doing a wacky and kind of weird impersonation of Carmen Miranda. The stylized "Happy Ending" has Jack explaining why all movies should end pleasantly while dancers in black and yellow stripes do strange dramatic modern dance moves behind him.
For my number, the best song here is "Ballin' the Jack." It's just Jack at the club, no chorus or fancy costumes...but Kaye gives it the right soft sell, and even manages to make it sexy.
Trivia: The painting of Lili over the fireplace is actually the one of Tierney from the 1944 film noir Laura. It's the only time the portrait appeared in color.
The color TV set they watch the "Popo the Puppet" number on is ahead of its time. Color debuted on American TV in the early 50's, but it wouldn't be seen in France until 1967, and even the US didn't really have regular color broadcasts until the mid-60's.
What I Don't Like: "Ballin' the Jack" aside, this is a little bland compared to the antics and lunacy of Wonder Man. A heroic French aviator isn't nearly as much fun as a wacky nightclub comic. The story is also a bit dull, and the new songs other than "Popo" aren't that memorable. Tierney is obviously uncomfortable. She's a block of ice, not even really thawing after her husband admits he's willing to fight for her, and is clearly out of her element in a musical.
The Big Finale: Fun for fans of Kaye who are willing to see him in a slightly different light.
Home Media: DVD only from 20th Century Fox's Marquee Musicals series.
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