Starring Danny Kaye, Virginia Mayo, Vera-Ellen, and Donald Woods
Directed by H. Bruce Humberstone
Music and Lyrics by Sylvia Fine
This week, we're going to dive into Danny Kaye's career with two of his more unique musicals. Not too many comedians could pull off a dual role...but Danny did it four times, twice in musical films, including this one. This was his second film for Samuel Goldwyn, and may be the first to show off the full range of his talents - singing, dancing, manic comedy, slapstick, even a bit of drama. How does this story of a history writer who gets involved with his louder twin's troubles look now? Let's start with the recent headlines in New York that reveal how comic Buzzy Bellew (Kaye) is the only witness to the murder of a chorus girl by gangster "Ten Grand" Jackson (Steve Cochran) and find out...
The Story: The moment Ten Grand is let out of jail, he has his goons Chimp (Allen Jenkins) and Torso (Edward Brophy) murder Buzzy in his dressing room. The only one who knows is Buzzy's meek twin Edwin (Kaye). He's more interested in writing his history book and dating pretty and smart librarian Ellen Shandley (Mayo) than his twin's problems, until Buzzy gets him into the park and possesses his body. Now Edwin has to dodge the crooks, do Buzzy's nightclub act, figure out what to do about his amorous fiancee Midge Mallon (Vera-Ellen), and explain to Ellen and the district attorney (Otto Kruger) that he's not crazy, before he joins his twin ten feet under!
The Song and Dance: Kaye jumps into the roles of the mild and shy Edwin and the wild and wacky Buzzy with relish. The special effects that allows Kaye to interact with himself won an Oscar in 1945 and still look good today, especially when Buzzy's possessing Edwin, or he's running around the park, grabbing onto tree limbs and kicking cops. Jenkins and Brophy have a few funny moments as Jackson's men, who can't believe Buzzy keeps turning up after they killed him. Lavish sets and costumes and gorgeous Technicolor bring sparkle to a relatively dark story.
Favorite Number: The film kicks off with the peculiar "Bali Boogie," a cross between Javanese dancing and swing that gives Vera-Ellen a chance to show off her dancing and Danny Kaye to mug outrageously. "So In Love" is Vera-Ellen's other big number as the Goldwyn Girls encourage her to wait for her boyfriend in colorful gowns and she ends up dancing with other guys. Buzzy takes control of Edwin's body to imitate a Russian going into sneezing fits over flowers at the nightclub in "Otchi Tchorniya," but it's Edwin who gets into the spirit of his big opera number in full Renaissance dress with real-life diva Alice Mock.
Trivia: Vera-Ellen's first film.
Fans of the East Side Kids and Bowery Boys comedies may recognize the sailor who punches Edwin after he thinks he's flirting with his girl. It's Huntz Hall, aka Satch, appearing in his only color film.
What I Don't Like: Obviously, if you're not into Kaye's brand of manic comedy, this isn't for you. Vera-Ellen does get in on one big number and has another to herself, but Virginia Mayo could have been given more to do than fuss over Edwin standing her up. The songs aren't that great, and none of them really have much to do with anything, other than the opera spoof keeping Edwin away from the gangsters in the end.
The Big Finale: One of Kaye's better Goldwyn vehicles if you're a fan of his or the two leading ladies.
Home Media: On DVD as part of the Danny Kaye: The Goldwyn Years set from Warner Archives; can also be found on streaming.
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