Never a Dull Moment

I love seeing Edward G. Robinson in comedies. He's such a lovable guy, and when he smiles, it just lights up his whole face. In Never a Dull Moment, he plays a head honcho gangster. He and his cronies are awaiting a new arrival, but they accidentally pick up an actor who was merely practicing his lines and acting in character (as a gangster) off the set. Dick Van Dyke plays the poor actor, who at first thinks it's funny that he's really coming across as a hitman, but soon realizes he's in far over his head.

In addition to classic gangster jokes and mistaken identity set-ups, the rest of the movie is pretty funny, too. Poking fun at his real life love of art, Eddie G takes painting lessons from cutie pie Dorothy Provin (remember her from Good Sam), and it's very funny to see her instructing him to "feel the colors" and "paint his feelings". And she has guts, too! When she finds herself cornered by some bad guys, she shows some smart tactics, like opening up a door then continuing down the hall for a fake exit, or turning the lights out for a shock.

Eddie G has a big art theft planned, and Dick is forced to play his part, otherwise he'll get whacked. While he battles real thugs, Henry Silva, Tony Bill, Slim Pickens, Mickey Shaughnessy, and Jack Elam, he also starts to fall for Dorothy. "I've never been in love with anyone before, besides myself," he says. "I've got goosebumps all over!" What a doll. In this comedy, there really is never a dull moment, so if you want something light for the evening, check it out. If you like those Bob Hope or Danny Kaye comedies where the lead is mistaken for someone tough, you'll like this one.

Great movie.... genuinely funny throughout....cool story and great cast Hoping this comes out on Blu-ray at some point. Nothing offensive, just great fun.

Having grown up in the sixties, and having an older brother willing to take me to see the latest Disney movie, I'm surprised I never saw this one. Though it's from the late sixties, and the plot by today's standards is overdone and predicable, it's still a fun one to watch. Edward G. Robinson plays a tough mob boss, and has a gang of familiar character actors making up his mob: Mickey Shaughnessy, Henry Silva, Slim Pickens, to name a couple,who are out to steal a famous painting in order to create the heist so history will remember Robinson's character, Joe Smooth. Along comes Dick Van Dyke, mistaken for the ultimate killer, Ace Williams. A "B" actor, Van Dyke's character Jack manages to pull off the role. Throw in a captive art teacher, a sequence with Jack Elam as the real Ace Williams, and a hilarious chase in an art museum, and you've got an entertaining 99 minute film. Rated G, it's a family show, but watch it to enjoy Dick Van Dyke. He lends his talents admirably and shows why he remains one our funniest actors that came to grace both TV and the film industry. Classic Disney and Dick Van Dyke--you can't go wrong with that combo.

This movie, starring the gifted actor, Dick Van Dyke, is an unsullied comedy full of humor and plot. Creative scenes flow in this film with a unique twist on classic situations. Though it is an older film, it surpasses most films hitting theaters today in acting and storyline. Jack displays courage and wit without losing the "just the average guy" way about him. Sincere facial expressions by Dick Van Dyke, and strong comedic timing sell this story from beginning to end. You will finish this movie feeling like you have stepped into "Jack's" shoes and gone on this escapade with him. With a touch of action, romance, suspense, and a delightful twist, this comedy is well worth your time.

After several years of phenomenal TV success counterbalanced with a movie career that ranged from good ("Bye Bye Birdie" "Mary Poppins") to so-so ("Fitzwilly") to Gawd-awful ("Lt. Robin Crusoe, U.S.N."), Dick Van Dyke went back to Disney for the third time on four years for "Never a Dull Moment," with results that could best be described as mixed.

Now, whenever Hollywood decides to use this all-purpose title, as it had at least four times before, beware, as the film is generally duller that usual. "Never a Dull Moment," lives up to its title, thanks primarily to Van Dyke and a solid supporting cast. Edward G. Robinson, Dorothy Provine (just before her simultaneous retirement and marriage), Henry Silva, Tony Bill, Jack Elam, and Slim Pickens all do as well in their roles as the script permits.

And there's the rub. A.J. Crothers, although the Disney people used him several times, was never one of the more inspired writers of comedy, and his films with Disney suffer for it. The cast and director Jerry Paris, a Van Dyke Show veteran on both sides of the camera, give it their best, but a limp script keeps undoing all their efforts.

In short, you, and Van Dyke, could worse than "Never a Dull Moment," but you could do a whole lot better, too.