IMDb RATING
6.8/10
2.6K
YOUR RATING
After being murdered by gangsters, an exuberant nightclub entertainer returns as a ghost to persuade his meek twin brother to help bring his killers to justice.After being murdered by gangsters, an exuberant nightclub entertainer returns as a ghost to persuade his meek twin brother to help bring his killers to justice.After being murdered by gangsters, an exuberant nightclub entertainer returns as a ghost to persuade his meek twin brother to help bring his killers to justice.
- Won 1 Oscar
- 3 wins & 4 nominations total
Edward Gargan
- Policeman in Park
- (as Ed Gargan)
The Goldwyn Girls
- The Goldwyn Girls
- (as The Goldwyn Girls)
Eddie Acuff
- Pelican Club Doorman
- (uncredited)
Featured reviews
Danny Kaye plays night club entertainer Buzzy Bellew who gets killed and appears as a ghost to his bookworm brother Edwin Dingle (also Danny Kaye).And that means lots of laughs when everybody thinks Edwin is Buzzy.Danny Kaye (1913-1987) was a brilliant comedian.In Wonder Man (1945) he shows us all how good he really was.This movie is filled with scenes that make you crack up.Like the opera scene in the end.I just couldn't stop laughing. And let's not forget the lovely ladies Vera-Ellen and Virginia Mayo.Everything just works in this movie.Watch this flick and laugh your lungs out!
I love this film! I can't believe that people can love Danny Kaye in such mediocre films as "Hans Christian Anderson" or "The Court Jester" and not even have heard of this one. Kaye simply steals the show as both a nervous book-worm and as his popular night-club performer brother. "Cuddles" Sekall is equally great with his rib-splittingly hilarious delicatessan-owner ("I ask you vot you vant?") and Otto Kruger also has a role in the film. A part to look out for is the part where the ghost of the murdered night-club performing brother Buster gets inside the body of his brother for the first time, making the shy book-worm start dancing all over the place insanely. The only thing that I would say is wrong with this film (and with many other Samuel Goldwyn films for that matter) are the ghastly scenes featuring the Goldwyn Girls. But this film does contain a very funny sequence in which Kaye sings Orci-cogna (I don't know how you spell it) only getting continuous bouts of hay-fever. Oh, and I certainly couldn't write a review on this film and omit the great opera scene at the end where Kaye ends up having to have to sing clues about a murder to the police. This film a rightly deserved oscar for best special effects, and was nominated for a few others including best song. All in all, a highly underrated film that is well worth seeing. Enjoy! 10/10
A fanciful, light-hearted comedy with cheerful dance numbers and jolly jokes. This means that the movie was pretty much the polar opposite to what had been happening in the real world for the last ten years or so.
The visual and special effects were superb for their time - they're still quite successful - but this was about the only aspect in which the movie was innovative and progressive. The general subject matter (twins and twin-related confusion) is as classic as can be, going back all the way to Antiquity. Moreover, the movie's denouement rests on one of the great staples of comedy and farce, to wit a royally messed-up opera performance. (Still, the person who wrote the lines "Choo-Choo.. Laverne... is.. is.. is... Minnie Smith !" deserved a pay rise the size of China.)
Well worth a watch, although the colours may seem somewhat harsh and gaudy to the modern eye.
The visual and special effects were superb for their time - they're still quite successful - but this was about the only aspect in which the movie was innovative and progressive. The general subject matter (twins and twin-related confusion) is as classic as can be, going back all the way to Antiquity. Moreover, the movie's denouement rests on one of the great staples of comedy and farce, to wit a royally messed-up opera performance. (Still, the person who wrote the lines "Choo-Choo.. Laverne... is.. is.. is... Minnie Smith !" deserved a pay rise the size of China.)
Well worth a watch, although the colours may seem somewhat harsh and gaudy to the modern eye.
This is the first Danny Kaye film I've seen and I feel in love with what a wonderfully talented person he is. This film is great fun to watch and if you're looking for something that is light, funny, romantic, enjoyable, and has a lovely plot with good effects, this is it. Kaye is a charming, sweet, and appealing character, and when his ghost twin enters his body whenever he feels like it, his performance is even funnier, especially the scene in the wings of the theatre where he makes farmyard noises into the telephone! Definitely recommended to anyone who loves Kaye's comedy, or simply wants an hour or two of entertaining fun!
Wonder Man is the first film I've seen with Danny Kaye, and I enjoyed it. The humor is light, inoffensive, and Danny Kaye does it well. Besides Kaye, there were a few notable funny characters, such as the deli shop owner and the drunk at the bar. Well worth watching if you're in the mood for a happy and funny film.
Did you know
- TriviaFilm debut of Vera-Ellen.
- GoofsAt the Pelican Club, Charlie mixes a Bromo for a weary customer. Transferring it to a second glass, it froths down the side onto the bar, but as the shot changes and he moves away, the bartop is dry.
- Quotes
Edwin: I don't want to go to Brooklyn. You can't make me. I don't *want* to go to Brooklyn.
Bus Driver: None of us want to, bud, but we all gotta go sooner or later.
- Crazy creditsClosing credits: This Is Overseas Program no. 913 TO FAMILIES AND FRIENDS OF SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN: Pictures exhibited in this theatre are given to the armed forces for showing in combat areas around the world. WAR ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Playboys (1992)
- SoundtracksBali Boogie
(1945)
Music and Lyrics by Sylvia Fine
Performed by Danny Kaye (uncredited) and Vera-Ellen (uncredited) (dubbed by June Hutton (uncredited))
- How long is Wonder Man?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Mein zauberhafter Bruder
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime
- 1h 38m(98 min)
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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