The Fat Man (1951)
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Synopsis of The Fat Man
The popular radio detective series The Fat Man was brought to the screen in 1951, with the series' original star J. Scott Smart retained in the title role. Smart plays porcine sleuth Brad Runyon, who tackles the mystery surrounding the murder of a Los Angeles dentist. With the assistance of general factotum Bill Norton (Clinton Sundberg), Runyon follows the trail of clues all the way to a three-ring circus. Famed Barnum & Bailey clown Emmett Kelly makes his screen debut as one of the suspects; others essential to the action are such up-and-comers as Rock Hudson, Julie London and Jayne Meadows. The film's flashback-within-flashback structure helps to enliven its more verbose passages. For the most part, The Fat Man plays more like a radio show than a movie--at least until the exciting climax, inventively staged by director William Castle. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Complete Cast of The Fat Man
- Jack Smart - Brad Runyan
- Rock Hudson - Roy Clark
- Jayne Meadows - Jane Adams
- Jerome Cowan - Lieut. Stark
- Lucille Barkley - Lola Gordon
- Harry Lewis - Happy Stevens
- Robert Roark - Tony
- George Wallace - Carl
- Gertrude Graner - Mother
- Cheerio Meredith - Scrubwoman
- Tom Keene - Mac
- Tristram Coffin - Missing Persons Officer
- Eric Alden - Guard
- Harry Tyler - Landlord
- Mary Young - Saleswoman
- Julie London - Pat Boyd
- Clinton Sundberg - Bill Norton
- John Russell - Gene Gordon
- Emmett Kelly, Jr. - Ed Deets
- Robert Osterloh - 'Fletch' Fletcher
- Teddy Hart - Shifty
- Shimen Ruskin - Louie
- Peter Brocco - Clerk
- Ken Niles - Dr. Bromley
- Edwin Max - Murray
- Marvin Kaplan - Pinkie
- Jack Chefe - Chef
- Robert Jordan - Bellhop
- Guy Wilkerson - Justice of the Peace
- Director(s):
- William Castle
- Writer(s):
- Leonard Lee, Harry J. Essex
- Producer(s):
- Aubrey Schenk, Aubrey Achenck
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