The Great Mr. Nobody

This is another of those films that it took a few viewings to warm up to, but now we include it in almost every year’s watch list.

PLOT SUMMARY

Robert “Dreamy” Smith (Eddie Albert) works in the classified advertising department of a New York newspaper. Between dreaming of buying a boat with his roommate “Skipper” Martin (Alan Hale) and coming up with clever business ideas that are stolen by his boss (John Litel), Dreamy is genuinely loved by Joan Leslie and always helping others, which often gets him into trouble. Just as things seem darkest, however, his self-sacrificing nature is rewarded.

NEW YORK CONNECTION

The story is set in New York, but it’s actually the Warner Brothers studio in Burbank, California.

CHRISTMAS CONNECTION

The central crisis occurs on Christmas Eve. There are festive toasts of Tom & Jerries in a waterside tavern.

CHARACTER ACTORS

John Litel appears as an FBI agent in Christmas Eve. Billy Benedict appears as a messenger boy in Never Say Goodbye.

ASTAIRE CONNECTION

Joan Leslie danced with Fred Astaire in The Sky’s the Limit. John Litel appeared at an Actors Equity benefit with Astaire in 1920.

WHY WE LOVE THIS MOVIE

It’s a charming little movie, but one of those where you find yourself yelling at the characters not to make such obviously bad choices. It’s interesting to see Eddie Albert in a role so different from Green Acres and Roman Holiday.