Whodunnit? That's the question Jack Albany hopes to expose in Disney's 1968 madcap comedy
Never a Dull Moment, starring Dick Van Dyke. Albany, a struggling actor in New York, is mistaken for infamous West Coast gangster Ace Williams and whisked to the mansion of mob boss Leo Smooth to be hired as lead mobster in an art museum robbery. Joining the company of a motley group of operators, Albany realizes that his only chances for survival depend on performing the acting job of his life: impersonating a dangerous killer. Things get dicey when the real Ace Williams shows up, since one of this pair of aces is about to be discarded as a joker. Albany's only hope for escape is to convince an innocent art teacher (Dorothy Provine) to become his ally. Combining Van Dyke's physical comedy with a stellar supporting cast (Henry Silva, Slim Pickens, and Jack Elam) make this lesser-known Disney film a delightful family jaunt. (Ages 8 and older)
--Lynn Gibson
1 Unexpected gem from Disney and Van Dyke!
This is a nice little film that seems to be mostly forgotten by Disney fans or fans of Mr. Van Dyke. That's too bad, because the film is lots of fun, and gives Dick Van Dyke full range to showcase his physical comedy skills.
If you thought all there was to Van Dyke's physical comedy was tripping over an ottoman, you'll be able to see his full range here.
An actor mistaken for a crook, Van Dyke's character Jack Albany is taken to a gangster stronghold where a big art heist is being planned. Van Dyke is wonderful as the cowardly actor playing the part of a tough crook in order to stay alive.
Besides the great comedy of Van Dyke, we also have the added treat of Edward G. Robinson sending up his famous gangster image. An avowed art lover in real life, Robinson goes after a famous painting in the film, and even tries his hand at abstract art.
Also on hand are Slim Pickens, Henry Silva, and Jack Elam. Dorothy Provine ("That Darn Cat!") plays art instructor and love interest Sally Inwood.
On a side note, the director of the film, Jerry Paris, is probably best known as Rob and Laura Petrie's next door neighbor on "The Dick Van Dyke Show". Jerry cameos at the very end.
This is great little film, but I have to knock off one star simply because Disney was too cheap to include a commentary track with surviving cast members.
2 Never A Dull Moment Is Fun For The Whole Family
I bought this DVD the day it came out and watched it with my family and the whole family laughed throughout the whole movie. Jack Albany (Dick Van Dyke) is a struggling TV Star. Who is mistaken for a criminal. Well he is taken to Joe Smooth(Edward G. Robinsons) Estate. And is told that he will be helping them in the heist. This movie is a bif bang boom Disney Classic that includes a lot of 60's Disney Stars like Dorothy Provine, Slim Pickens, Jack Elam and many more. So Buy or rent this movie today share the magic and the memories with your family.
3 Dick Van Dyke at his best !
Dick Van Dyke plays an actor who gets mistaken for a gangster. And they want him to help them steal a painting, He try's escaping from the big house but something always goes wrong. He gets in to more trouble when the real gangster that he is supposed to be, turns up!
Watching Dick Van Dyke playing a gangster is VERY funny. A film not to be missed!
4 Fun Live Action Disney
Well, in the hit and miss world of Disney live action DVD releases, it looks like we lucked out on this one. The ever so king of physical comedy, Dick Van Dyke, is presented here in this delightful comedy in its original aspect ratio of 1.75:1. As one viewer stated, buying Disney live action DVD's is like rolling dice. Looks like we have a winner on this one. Van Dyke scores a hit with his performance along with a delightful support cast of quality actors; Edward G. Robinson, Dorothy Provine, Jack Elam, Henry Silva and Slim Pickens along with several recognizable character actors.
This DVD one not to be missed. But keep boycotting the "Black Bearded" releases and reward Disney when they bow to the wishes of the consumer.
