Double Dynamite
| Double Dynamite | |
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Original US cinema poster
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| Directed by | Irving Cummings |
| Produced by | Irving Cummings, Jr. Irwin Allen (uncredited) |
| Written by |
Leo Rosten Mel Shavelson Mannie Manheim Harry Crane |
| Starring |
Jane Russell Groucho Marx Frank Sinatra |
| Music by | Leigh Harline |
| Cinematography | Robert De Grasse |
| Edited by | Harry Marker |
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Production
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| Distributed by | RKO Radio Pictures (US) |
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Release date
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Running time
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80 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Double Dynamite is a 1951 American musical comedy film directed by Irving Cummings and starring Jane Russell, Groucho Marx, and Frank Sinatra. The film was written by Leo Rosten, Mel Shavelson, Mannie Manheim, and Harry Crane.
The film was originally entitled It's Only Money, before RKO owner Howard Hughes changed the title to Double Dynamite as a reference to co-star Jane Russell's famous cleavage.
The movie involves a bank teller (Sinatra) suspected of embezzling who turns to a sardonic waiter (Groucho Marx) for advice. Although Sinatra has by far the most screen time, he took third billing behind Jane Russell and Groucho Marx. Most of the scenes are devoted to the interactions of Sinatra and Marx, who had just begun televising his radio show You Bet Your Life the year before and was in between his wilder Marx Brothers persona and the more toned-down television Groucho. Both Sinatra and Jane Russell play against type as a shy, timid pair, while Marx portrays a sarcastic waiter who breezily mentors the frightened young couple.
Jane Russell and Groucho Marx each sing a duet with Frank Sinatra written by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn. Marx and Sinatra sing "It's Only Money", and Russell and Sinatra deliver the romantic "Kisses and Tears."
Filmed in 1948, it was held for several years after production, and released only in 1951. It was not a financial or critical success.
Meek California Fidelity Trust teller Johnny Dalton asks his boss J. L. McKissack for a raise so he can marry fellow teller Mildred "Mibs" Goodhue. Though Johnny is turned down, Mibs wants to get married anyway. Emile J. Keck, a friend and waiter at an Italian restaurant they frequent, also urges Johnny to take a chance, even facetiously suggesting he rob the bank where he works. When he insists on waiting, Mibs storms out.
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Wikipedia