Wonder Man (film)
| Wonder Man | |
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Original 1946 cinema poster
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| Directed by | H. Bruce Humberstone |
| Produced by | Samuel Goldwyn |
| Screenplay by | Jack Jevne Eddie Moran |
| Story by | Arthur Sheekman |
| Starring |
Danny Kaye Virginia Mayo |
| Music by |
Ray Heindorf Heinz Roemheld |
| Cinematography |
Victor Milner William E. Snyder |
| Edited by | Daniel Mandell |
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Production
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| Distributed by | RKO Radio Pictures |
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Release date
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Running time
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98 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1,450,000 |
Wonder Man is a 1945 musical film starring Danny Kaye and Virginia Mayo. It is based on a short story by Arthur Sheekman, adapted for the screen by a staff of writers led by Jack Jevne and Eddie Moran, produced by Samuel Goldwyn, and directed by H. Bruce Humberstone. Mary Grant designed the film's costumes.
Danny Kaye plays a double role as a pair of estranged "super-identical twins", with very similar looks, but very different personalities. Buster Dingle, who goes by the stage name "Buzzy Bellew", is a loud and goofy performer at a classy nightclub (the Pelican Club), while Edwin Dingle is a studious, quiet bookworm writing a history book. The two brothers have not seen each other for years.
Buster becomes the witness to a murder committed by mob boss "Ten Grand" Jackson (Steve Cochran), and is promptly murdered himself. He comes back as a ghost, calling on his long-lost brother for help to bring the killer to justice. As a result, the shy Edwin must take his brother's place until after his testimony is given.
In the meantime, he has to dodge Jackson's hitmen and fill in for Buster at the nightclub. To help him out, Buster—who cannot be seen or heard by anyone but Edwin—possesses him, with outrageously goofy results.
A famous scene features Edwin, possessed by Buzzy, performing at the Club. Under Buzzy's influence, Edwin pretends to be a famous Russian singer with an allergy to flowers. A vase of flowers is nonetheless placed on a table near him, and his song, "Otchi Chornya", is frequently interrupted by his loud and goofy-sounding sneezes.
The story is further humorously complicated by the love interests of the brothers; whilst the murdered Buster was engaged to entertainer Midge Mallon (Vera-Ellen), Edwin is admired by librarian Ellen Shanley (Virginia Mayo).
In the end, Ellen marries Edwin, whilst Midge consoles herself (apparently without regret) by marrying the owner of the club where Buster was appearing.
The film was awarded an Academy Award for Best Special Effects at the 18th Academy Awards in 1946, and was also nominated for Best Original Song, Best Musical Score, and Best Sound Recording.
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