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Although the movie is saved by Dick Van Dyke and Edward G. Robinson, it is not nearly as entertaining as "A Thrill a Minute With Jack Albany" (original book title). The movie brought on smiles whereas the book had me laughing out loud. If you haven't seen the movie or read the book, watch the movie first. The hilarity will quadruple from the screen to the page. {Best that way instead of the reverse) If you plan on enjoying only one, then take the book over the film. An excellent job of converting what was written to the cinema. Dick Van Dyke was Jack Albany. No one else could come to mind when picturing the character. But I'm a sucker for most of Van Dyke's stuff. He's best playing some form of Rob Petrie, from Bye Bye Birdie to Some Kind of Nut.

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.

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.

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.

Never A Dull Moment provided Hollywood icon Edward G. Robinson with the opportunity to do things. Add a Walt Disney movie to his list of screen credits and allow him to do a film about his passionate avocation, that of art collector.

Robinson combines it with the last of gangster roles, that of Leo Joseph Smooth, both gangster and art collector. Robinson is pretty much retired from the day to day business of running a criminal enterprise, kind of like Vito Corleone only he's pulling himself back in for one last go.

He has it mind to own a large mural that is being shipped to the United States for exhibit so he's going to steal it. With that in mind he hires a whole lot of his old gang back plus a couple of extra hands.

Which is where Dick Van Dyke comes in. For reasons I cannot fathom, Tony Bill mistakes actor Dick Van Dyke with hoodlum Jack Elam. To save his life Van Dyke goes along with the mistake for almost the entire run of the film as he's taken to Robinson's well guarded home. Van Dyke calls on all his acting skills to convince Robinson and his whole gang he's really a hoodlum.

Fortunately for him he meets up with Dorothy Provine who's an art teacher that Robinson hired to improve him culturally. The two of them have a whale of a time trying to get out before the caper comes off.

Never A Dull Moment has a few good laughs and also in Disney studio's tradition at that time, employs a nice range of film character actors who were finding less and less work as the studios were putting out less and less product for the big screen.

It does rest however on the weak premise that Dick Van Dyke could possibly be mistaken for Jack Elam. In that it's weak indeed.