Wonder Man (1945)
Awards
Won an Oscar in 1946 for Best Effects, Special Effects
Wonder Man is the second of Danny's films, and it did quite well at the box office
and amongst critics. One particular review said that it "brought cheers from the
country’s severest critics." In this film, Danny took a bold step up and played not
only one role, but two. In fact, Danny played twins and, for all intents and purposes,
acted opposite himself. He did a brilliant job displaying two distinct personalities
and would later reprise this technique in other films such as On the Riviera and
On the Double. Wonder Man is a wonderfully entertaining movie with an interesting
plot. Danny's songs, written by his wife, are fun and amusing, especially "Otchi
Tchorniya" in which Buzzy Bellew's ghost, inhabiting the body of his twin brother
Edwin Dingle, portrays an allergy-
Film Information
Filmed: July 13-
Released: June 8, 1945
(Koenig, David. Danny Kaye: King of Jesters, pg 76)
This is Virginia Mayo’s second movie with Danny. The first was Up in Arms, although she was only a Goldwyn Girl at the time. As a result, this is her first starring role in a film, and her first starring role with Danny. She would make three more movies with him.
Steve Cochran (“Ten Grand” Jackson) was also in The Kid From Brooklyn and A Song Is Born.
Vera-
This is the first movie (of two) in which Virginia Mayo’s character calls Danny’s character a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. (The second is The Kid From Brooklyn.)
In the park, when Edwin is talking to his brother’s ghost, he says, “It’s impossible.
It must be an optical illusion. I can’t explain it but the whole thing is inconceivable.”
During this line, Edwin walks in front of Buster (aka Buzzy), and if you pause the
movie (or use slow-
Articles
“Danny Kaye teaches Danny Kaye to Sing” -
“Fine Future Assured For Danny Kaye” -
“Danny Kaye A One-