Main Cast: Henry Winkler, Kim Darby, Gene Saks, William Daniels, Polly Holliday
Release Year: 1978
Country: US
Run Time: 120 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Plot
Brash young Andy Schmidt (Henry Winkler) can't make a go of it as an actor in the early 1950s. Still, he wins the hand of Mary Crawford (Kim Darby), and the two of them try to make ends meet in New York City. Andy is on the verge of starvation when he befriends wrestling-promoter Sidney Seltzer (Gene Saks). At last, Andy has found the perfect outlet for his overbaked performing style: he becomes "The One and Only," a Gorgeous George-like professional wrestler. Though his ring career skyrockets, Andy's private life suffers until his wife Mary lets him know (with a mean uppercut!) who's going to be boss. Like many of director Carl Reiner's directorial efforts, the real strength in The One and Only lies in its impeccable supporting cast, ranging from Polly Holliday as Darby's mother to Herve Villechaize as a horny midget "rassler." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Harold Gould - Hector Moses; Herve Villechaize - Milton Miller; Dick Lane - Wrestling Announcer; Bill Baldwin - Announcer in Des Moines; Dennis James - Himself; Anthony Battaglia - Little Andy; Ed Begley, Jr. - Arnold the King; Brandon Cruz - Sherman; Charles Frank - Paul Harris; Peter Brocco - Autograph Hound; Lucy Lee Flippin - Agatha Franklen; H.B. Haggerty - Capt. Nemo; Ralph Manza - Bellman; Ken Olfson - Mr. Arnold; Jack Scalia - Waiter; Will Seltzer - Eddie; Amzie Strickland - House Mother; Mary Woronov - Arlene; Richard Karron - The Elephant
Credit
Robert Birnbaum - First Assistant Director, Carl Reiner - Director, Bud Molin - Editor, Robert Halmi, Sr. - Executive Producer, Patrick Williams - Composer (Music Score), Marilyn Bergman - Songwriter, Alan - Songwriter, Ken Chase - Makeup, Edward C. Carfagno - Production Designer, Victor J. Kemper - Cinematographer, Steve Gordon - Producer, Robert Halmi, Sr. - Producer, David V. Picker - Producer, Ruby Levitt - Set Designer, Bud Alper - Sound/Sound Designer, John K. Wilkinson - Sound/Sound Designer, Bert I. Gordon - Screenwriter, Steve Gordon - Screenwriter
In the 1950s, egotistical Andy Schmidt (Henry Winkler) tries to become a Broadway star after college graduation but instead finds work as a professional wrestler nicknamed "The Lover".
