Never a Dull Moment

'Never a Dull Moment' is worth watching, even if it could've been much greater.

First and foremost, Dick Van Dyke is very good in the role of Jack Albany. The film does have issues, but none of them are to do directly with Van Dyke - if anything, he is the thing stopping this from being bad; well, he and Edward G. Robinson (Leo).

The premise is decent, though the way it's portrayed is what cheapens the film in my eyes. It's more silly than serious, which probably works against it. The same story taken more proper would be way more enjoyable in my opinion, still with comedy in it but just with a sterner side to it.

It drags a tad at the end, nevertheless it's still a production I like.

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.

I came across this one while organizing videos my family had taped-I was about to take it out when this started playing. I figured I'd watch a few minutes, see what it was all about, and finish labeling the tapes. Long story short, the project was set aside for another day, and "Never a Dull Moment" became a family favorite! This is a Disney movie from the '60's, and as such represents some of Disney's best, before the days of formulaic family movies. It's not really aimed at children; the story is dialogue-driven, and the lead character's predicament is presented through dramatic irony. Younger viewers may not get it. That all makes it sound heavy, but it's actually incredibly funny. Three major aspects of comedy: physical/slapstick, situational, and verbal. All three are present and woven together in a way that certainly held my attention. I can't speak for everyone, but the title rings true for me, over and over!

The acting is solid all around. Dick Van Dyke steals the show as Jack Albany, an actor mistaken for renowned hit man Ace Williams (played by Jack Elam). Van Dyke is at his comedic best. Presumptious Florian (Tony Bill), having never seen Ace, makes the mistake, forcing Jack into a situation where his survival depends on his acting. On some level this movie pokes fun at the typical mob story. You have the boss, the tough guy, the inept guy, the pro pickpocket, the driver, the dumb broad, and the kid. The actors play their stereotyped parts well, highlights being Tony Bill and Joanna Moore. This may be the best role Tony Bill ever played-his other roles just seem flat in comparison to this punk, who changes from a creepy armed henchman to a whining, flinching doormat depending on how much trouble he's in. Bill has, however, become a successful producer/director. Edward G. Robinson seems to relish playing Joe Smooth, a powerful, art-loving mob boss who may be losing it a bit mentally. Dorothy Provine is good, also, as Smooth's art teacher, but my biggest beef with the movie is the part of the script where she explains her connection to the boss. It works, but it could have been better.

Overall I recommend this movie. It's no cinematic triumph, but it is good, clean fun, and it is very funny! Most parents are probably aware, but for those that aren't, the ratings system has changed since the '60's. This one was G in that time period, when smoking was commonplace and violence in the movies wasn't the issue that it is in the 21st century. Not that one era is better than another (I honestly can't fathom why Ice Age and Over the Hedge are PG movies), but this one has some PG material by today's standards. An engaging story with lots of laughs!

The title is quite true. There is never a dull 'moment' in this film, simply because the entire movie consists of 100 dull minutes. Van Dyke plays a bit-part actor who becomes entangled with gangster/mob type caricatures stealing a valuable painting, and other such dross. (On that note the film is about as lacklustre as the 1965 co-production 'Theft Of The Mona Lisa'). The director seems to have been offered an entirely different script to the one offering the audience alleged 'comedy', which is regrettably confined to Van Dyke's "unique" brand of muggery (eg Lt Robinson Crusoe, 1966).

Ed G Robinsons presence is not even worth mentioning, in the hope that it can be overlooked in summation of his career's overall contribution to American movie history and development.

An inept, feeble-minded vomition of the sort of pap that elucidates any mystery surrounding why such a tycoon as Walt D should have ended up bankrupt.