Mister Universe (1951 film)
Mister Universe is a 1951 American comedy film. It was produced by Eagle Lion Pictures and directed by Joseph Lerner.
Mister Universe | |
---|---|
Directed by | Joseph Lerner |
Produced by | Joseph Lerner |
Starring | |
Music by | Dimitri Tiomkin |
Cinematography | Gerald Hirschfeld |
Production company | Eagle-Lion Pictures |
Release date | January 10, 1951 |
Running time | 87 minutes |
Plot
Honest "Mr. Universe" winner Tommy Tompkins struggles when he is told to lose a wrestling match.[1]
Partial cast
- Jack Carson as Jeff Clayton
- Janis Paige as Lorraine
- Vince Edwards as Tommy Tompkins
- Bert Lahr as Joe Pulaski
- Robert Alda as Fingers Maroni
- Maxie Rosenbloom as Big Ears, the trainer
- Joan Rivers as teenage girl in audience (uncredited)
Production
Mister Universe was filmed in New York.[1]
Reception
Variety found the dialogue "weak" but the film "quite funny" with good performances. Variety noted that the film did not treat the wrestling business "with its phoney grapplers and decisions, and crooked promoters" lightly, but that it probably took it more seriously than the press and sports communities.[1]
Picturegoer wrote "True, much of the fun springs from the mauling of stooges, but the humour is no less effective for being elementary, or rather primitive."[2]
The cast was praised by The New York Times.[3]
Trivia
Joan Rivers appears in an uncredited role.[4]
Mister Universe marked the film debut of Vince Edwards.[5]
External links
References
- "Mr. Universe". Variety. 1951-01-17. p. 11. Retrieved 2019-12-24 – via Proquest Entertainment Industry Magazine Archive.
- "Mr. Universe". Picturegoer. 1951-07-28. p. 16. Retrieved 2019-12-27 – via Proquest Entertainment Industry Magazine Archive.
- "The Screen: Little Spoof on Wrestling". The New York Times. 1951-03-23. Retrieved 2019-08-08 – via Proquest Historical Newspapers.
- Langer, Emily (2014-09-04). "Joan Rivers, comedian who skewered everyone, including herself, dies". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2019-01-02.
- Prowse, David (2011-09-28). Straight From The Force's Mouth: The Autobiography of Dave Prowse. Andrews UK Limited. ISBN 978-1-908548-18-4.