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| Jimmy Durante & “The Nice Rupert!” |
Even
again in 1950, the small-budget movie The
Nice Rupert was thought-about sentimental and far-fetched. But its
good-natured story and intelligent particular results with a dancing squirrel have
caught within the minds of film followers. The comedy-drama of a down on their luck present
biz household who profit from the previous four-legged tenant advantages from a solid
of acquainted names, stable course, and particular results by George Pal.
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| You’ll imagine a squirrel can dance! “The Nice Rupert” from 1950. |
Actor-turned-director
Irving Pichel directs the corny materials straightforwardly and provides the entire
solid their moments to shine. Pichel notably found youngster actress Natalie
Wooden. Particular results legend George Pal, who later went on to elaborate
classics The Battle of the World and The Time Machine, has only one particular
impact in The Nice Rupert: the title
character, which occurs to be a present biz squirrel! Rupert dances and in addition
reacts charmingly to the human story right here. Pal’s mechanical Rupert is sort of
convincing even by right now’s requirements. I’m shocked someone hasn’t made a
big-budget remake of this tall story.
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| “The Nice Rupert” is a candy little fantasy movie from 1950. |
Rupert’s
human proprietor, Joe Mahoney (Jimmy Conlin) can’t discover them any gigs and should depart
their very humble rental abode. He’s launched within the park, which initially struck
me as horrible. However concern not, Rupert goes proper again to his outdated dwelling, up within the
attic.
Then
comes the brand new renters, equally as down on their luck, however with a spiel. This
household is present biz people, too, acrobats—about as a lot in demand as dancing
squirrels by 1950. Lou Amendola is performed by Jimmy Durante, all the time watchable
and heat. Mama Amendola is performed by Queenie Smith, who performed Eleanor Parker’s
whining mom in Caged the identical
yr. Their teen-age daughter, Rosalinda, is performed by Terry Moore, again in her
candy starlet days.
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| Terry Moore & Tom Drake play the younger lovers in 1950’s “The Nice Rupert.” |
Their
landlord Frank Dingle (performed by Frank Orth) is a cheapskate who actually
squirrels further dough in his wall. Even his spouse Katie (Sara Haden of the Andy Hardy household) and son Pete (MGM’s boy
subsequent door Tom Drake) suppose Frank’s a tightwad.
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| Queenie Smith has a touching scene the place she prays for assist for her household in 1950’s holiday-themed fantasy, “The Nice Rupert.” |
At
first Lou is difficult pressed to determine the place he’s going to give you the lease,
however he’s obtained the reward of gab to provide within the meantime. Mama Amendola (Amen,
{dollars}?) is extra pragmatic and prays for assist. Miraculously, cash falls from
the damaged skylight. This scene occurs about the identical day every week—I gained’t
spoil the enjoyable right here.
After
the household fixes up their rented hovel, they start to speculate in the neighborhood,
and shortly most of the townspeople start to prosper—suppose It’s a Fantastic Life with a dancing squirrel!
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| Each time a squirrel drops some dough, the Amendolas purchase some issues! 1950’s fantasy household comedy, “The Nice Rupert.” |
Regardless of
an unwelcome go to from the IRS, questioning the place the Amendolas obtained their
new-found {dollars}, The Nice Rupert
has a cheerful ending, with the characters falling into cash. For those who’re within the
temper for an old school film with a vacation theme, watch fantastic Jimmy
Durante and a solid of professionals serve up this cornball cinema enjoyable.
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| Jimmy Durante brings his nice humor and coronary heart to 1950’s holiday-themed “The Nice Rupert.” |
