- Never a Dull Moment (1968 film)
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Never a Dull Moment 
Directed by Jerry Paris Produced by Ron Miller Written by AJ Carothers
John Godey (book)Starring Dick Van Dyke
Edward G. Robinson
Dorothy ProvineMusic by Robert F. Brunner Cinematography William E. Snyder Editing by Marsh Hendry Studio Walt Disney Productions Distributed by Buena Vista Distribution Release date(s) June 26, 1968 Running time 99 minutes Country United States Language English Never a Dull Moment is a 1968 film from Walt Disney Productions. It stars Dick Van Dyke and Edward G. Robinson and was directed by Jerry Paris. The script by AJ Carothers was based on a novel by John Godey.
It was re-released to theaters in April 1977 along with the animated featurette The Three Caballeros.
Contents
Plot
Second-rate actor Jack Albany (Dick Van Dyke) finds himself mistaken for fiendish killer Ace Williams and whisked off to master gangster Leo Smooth's (Edward G. Robinson) 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 Van Gogh masterpiece "Field of Sunflowers". But at least there is lovely art teacher Sally (Dorothy Provine) who could become an ally — if she ever believes his story.
Further complications ensue when the real Ace Williams (Jack Elam) shows up, making it even more difficult for Albany to keep up his false identity. Eventually, Albany outwits the gangsters and foils the robbery.
Disney and Crime Movies
This film was one of several Disney films that featured individuals facing off with criminals: on TV, the Mickey Mouse Club featured installments of the Hardy Boys and on screen, The Moon-Spinners found Hayley Mills battling a thief. On the prime time Wonderful World of Disney, the miniseries The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh saw a ruthless masked vigilante battle evildoers in 18th century England, starring Patrick McGoohan in the title character. Later, the studio did comic films like this one, balancing drama with comedy, which attracted families and other fans. This film (and the later crime comedies) did well and attracted positive reviews.
Cast
- Dick Van Dyke as Jack Albany
- Edward G. Robinson as Leo Joseph Smooth
- Dorothy Provine as Sally Inwood
- Henry Silva as Frank Boley
- Joanna Cook Moore as Melanie Smooth
- Tony Bill as Florian
- Slim Pickens as Cowboy Schaeffer
- Jack Elam as Ace Williams
- Ned Glass as Rinzy Tobreski
- Richard Bakalyan as Bobby Macoon
- Mickey Shaughnessy as Francis
- Philip Coolidge as Fingers Felton
- James Millhollin as Museum Director
External links
Films directed by Jerry Paris 1960s Don't Raise the Bridge, Lower the River (1968) · Never a Dull Moment (1968) · How Sweet It Is! (1968) · Viva Max! (1969)1970s 1980s Leo and Loree (1980) · Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment (1985) · Police Academy 3: Back in Training (1986)Categories:- 1968 films
- American films
- English-language films
- American mystery films
- Criminal comedy films
- Disney films
- Heist films
- Museums in popular culture
- Mystery films
- Neo-noir
- 1960s comedy film stubs
- Crime film stubs
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