Never a Dull Moment (1943)
Nightclub gangsters hire a vaudeville act called the Three Funny Bunnies (Ritz Brothers).
Watch Trailer
Free Trial Channels
Cast
Similar titles
Reviews
The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful
This is ultimately a movie about the very bad things that can happen when we don't address our unease, when we just try to brush it off, whether that's to fit in or to preserve our self-image.
There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.
There is definitely an excellent idea hidden in the background of the film. Unfortunately, it's difficult to find it.
The Ritz Brothers may be an acquired taste, but if you have acquired that taste you'll probably find them fairly funny in "Never A Dull Moment: they have lots of crazy routines, throwaway lines, and two deliberately nonsensical musical numbers. They play three out-of work show-biz entertainers who are mistaken for gangsters and are employed by a corrupt nightclub boss to help with the theft of the priceless diamond necklace of a wealthy woman who is organizing a party at the club to celebrate the engagement of her son to the club's leading female singer. The most notable supporting players are the eternal villain George Zucco as (of course) the villain, and Mary Beth Hughes as a lightning-fast pickpocket. Frances Langford sings two songs, Grace Poggi (who has a great body) and Igor dance, but the absolute highlight of the film is a long dance-and-comedy number by an unknown to me trio (two men and one woman) introduced as The Rogers Dancers - it is an amazingly acrobatic, jaw-dropping human feat. Even if you don't like the Ritzes, try to see this number at least. **1/2 out of 4.