Themes: Trading Bodies, Ghosts, Twins and Lookalikes
Main Cast: Danny Kaye, Danny Kaye, Virginia Mayo, Vera-Ellen, S.Z. Sakall, Donald Woods, Steve Cochran
Release Year: 1945
Country: US
Run Time: 98 minutes
Plot
Danny Kaye plays the first of his cinematic dual roles in Goldwyn's Wonder Man. Kaye appears as timid librarian Edwin Dingle and Edwin's extroverted twin brother, nightclub entertainer Buzzy Bellew. When Buzzy witnesses a gangland shooting, he himself is rubbed out by mob boss Ten-Grand Jackson (Steve Cochran, in his movie debut). Before long, Edwin is visited by Buzzy's ghost, who persuades his bookish brother to help bring Jackson to justice. For the rest of the film, poor Edwin is possessed by his brother's sportive spirit, causing no end of confusion for Edwin's demure lady friend Ellen Shanley (Virginia Mayo) and Buzzy's more outgoing girlfriend, dancer Midge Mallon (Vera-Ellen, also making her first film appearance). Done up in splashy Technicolor, Wonder Man is perhaps Kaye's best Goldwyn-produced vehicle, permitting him to play a character (or characters) rather than a caricature. Highlights include an opera spoof (a variation of which showed up in Kaye's 1954 feature Knock on Wood), Danny's allergic rendition of "Otchi Chornya," and a wonderful vignette wherein Kaye imitates all the "inhabitants" of a pet shop. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Fans of Danny Kaye will be delighted with Wonder Man, one of those films that gives the comedian the opportunity to play two roles. Kaye, never one to look a gift horse in the mouth, makes the very most of the opportunity, putting so much energy and commitment into his work that he makes most viewers forget that the material he's working with is only so-so. Wonder is filled with the kind of coincidences and plot turns that can only happen in a movie, so any viewer expecting anything approaching reality is well advised to steer clear. For those willing to check their suspension of disbelief at the door, however, Wonder should provide ample entertainment. Kaye gets to display all of the facets of his talent, and has the chance to play an urbane, charming, in-control leading-man type to boot. He's well supported by the charming and attractive Virginia Mayo and Vera-Ellen, with the latter demonstrating her superb dancing skills in a very diverting solo-with-chorus that is exceptional. Wonder Man is slight, but it's a fine showcase for its star comic. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
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.
