Never a Dull Moment is a 1968 American heist comedy crime film from Walt Disney Productions starring Dick Van Dyke and Edward G. Robinson and directed by Jerry Paris. The script by A. J. Carothers was based The Reluctant Assassin by John Godey. The supporting cast features Dorothy Provine, Henry Silva, Slim Pickens and Jack Elam. Master cartoonist Floyd Gottfredson created a comic strip, Astro Pooch, to be used as a prop in the film.[2]
Never a Dull Moment | |
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Directed by | Jerry Paris |
Written by | A. J. Carothers |
Based on | The Reluctant Assassin by John Godey by Morton Freedgood |
Produced by | Ron Miller |
Starring | Dick Van Dyke Edward G. Robinson Dorothy Provine |
Cinematography | William E. Snyder |
Edited by | Marsh Hendry |
Music by | Robert F. Brunner |
Production company | Walt Disney Productions |
Distributed by | Buena Vista Distribution |
Release date |
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Running time | 99 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Box office | $4,150,000 (US/ Canada rentals)[1] |
It was re-released theatrically on April 15, 1977 on a double bill with a re-edited version of The Three Caballeros (1944) in featurette form.
Second-rate actor Jack Albany finds himself mistaken for fiendish killer Ace Williams and whisked off to master gangster Leo Smooth's fortified mansion. He is forced to continue with the charade what with all the rough-looking hoods around, even when he finds he is to play a deadly role in the theft of the painting "Field of Sunflowers", a 40 foot long masterpiece by Dubreaux (a fictional artist). But at least there is lovely art teacher Sally who could become an ally — if she ever believes his story.
Further complications ensue when the real Ace Williams shows up, making it even more difficult for Albany to keep up his false identity. Eventually, Albany outwits the gangsters and foils the robbery.
Howard Thompson of The New York Times gave Never a Dull Moment a largely negative review, calling it "good-natured" but claiming that "most of it seems mighty strenuous and over-worked." Thompson saved most of his praise for the cartoon that accompanied the film, a reissue of Disney's Three Little Pigs from 1933. (This short also accompanied releases of The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band in some cities.)[3] Arthur D. Murphy of Variety called it "a very amusing crime comedy" if "a bit long and talky."[4] Charles Champlin of the Los Angeles Times declared it "the breeziest and most likeable Disney comedy in some time, with a verve and (relative) sophistication which can engage the favoring interest of the grown-ups as well as the moppets."[5] Clifford Terry of the Chicago Tribune wrote, "The Disney studio comedy starts off amusingly enough, then loses its freshness after the first half hour. But the kids probably won't notice."[6] The Monthly Film Bulletin stated, "With no pretensions to being anything but a rollicking farce, this slight but intermittently amusing comedy largely succeeds on its own modest level."[7]
Films directed by Jerry Paris | |
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