A.J. "Man Mountain" Dean Movies
- 1960
This is an unimpressive spy-comedy from director Stanley Donen who inserts his specialty, a small song-and-dance number, into the odd proceedings. Gangster Nico March (Yul Brynner) has been ordered out of the United States because of his unsavory activities and back to the Greek island from whence he came (actually Rhodes). Once on the island, various characters enter the picture, including a local, corrupt police chief. Nico decides to send for a bundle of money left in the States but his double-crossing "friends" send him a bundle of feminine wiles instead, Gabby Rogers (Mitzi Gaynor). Obviously, Nico is none too pleased with the lousy substitution for hard cash, though he does not yet realize he is sure to fall in love with her. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Yul Brynner, Bill Nagy, (more)
- 1956
Ribald music hall comedian Frankie Howerd stars in the British laughspinner Jumping for Joy. Set in the rarefied world of dog racing, the film stars Howerd as trackboy Willie, who is unceremoniously booted from his job. Teaming up with con artist Jack (Stanley Holloway), Willie decides to get even by raising his own greyhound racer. Unfortunately, the dog Willie and Jack purchase has one paw in the grave. As our heroes nurse the pooch back to health, they are forced to spend their spare time keeping a narcotics gang at bay. The delightful harmonica score in Jumping for Joy is provided by American expatriate Larry Adler. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stanley Holloway, A.E. Matthews, (more)
- 1955
Comparatively little known, the British A Woman for Joe is an excellent showcase for leading lady Diane Cilento (later better known as Mrs. Sean Connery). The actress is cast as Mary, a carnival performer hired by fairground impresario Joe Harrap (George Baker). Mary was employed at the behest of midget George Wilson (Jimmy Haroubi), the real brains behind Harrap's sideshow. Mary is instantly attracted to Joe, which does not rest well with the jealous, manipulative George. The plot is resolved by a sudden death during one of George's performances. What could have been an exercise in tawdriness is redeemed by the colorful camerawork of Georges Perinal. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Diane Cilento, George Baker, (more)
Norman Wisdom made his third film appearance in the slapstick musical Man of the Moment. This time, Norman is a clerk in the British ministry who is forced to sub for an ailing delegate at a Geneva Peace Conference. In his usual bumbling fashion, our hero becomes intimately involved in the affairs of a tiny Pacific-island monarchy. As a result, the island's queen refuses to participate in any sort of negotiations unless Norman sits in at the proceedings. The nervous British government immediately bestows a knighthood on the hapless delegate. . .and then the fun begins, as several scurvy types try to kill off Norman and topple the Queen from her throne. Featured in the cast of Man of the Moment is Norman Wisdom's music-hall straight man Jerry Desmonde in a prominent but thankless role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Norman Wisdom, Lana Morris, (more)
