Sid Caesar Movies
Influential American comedian Sid Caesar appeared infrequently in films; he is best-known for his work on the '50s TV sketch-comedy series Your Show of Shows. Before becoming a comedian, Caesar studied the saxophone and clarinet at Manhattan's Juilliard School of Music then played with various bands. During his time with the Coast Guard in WW II, he became a featured comedian in the service show Tars and Spars, and then again in its film version (1946). He then appeared in nightclubs and in the Broadway hit Make Mine Manhattan. Caesar began performing on TV in the late 40s; Your Show of Shows started shortly thereafter, a live comedy show with few equals in the history of TV. He began to take pills and drink to excess, however, and after his TV show was canceled he found little work in subsequent years, occasionally turning up in films, usually in cameo or novelty roles. A feature-length compilation of his TV sketches, Ten from Your Show of Shows, was released theatrically in 1973. He authored an autobiography, Where Have I Been? (1979). ~ All Movie Guide
- 1947
In this drama, a soldier's widow, whose husband died a hero in WW II, begins a quest to find the five men whose lives were saved when her husband sacrificed his own life by taking the brunt of a hand grenade blast. Her search begins two years after the war's end, and is an attempt to see if the men were worthy of her husband's death. En route she is slightly hurt in a minor accident and becomes hysterically paralyzed and unable to walk. One of the soldiers she was looking for tries to help her overcome her hysteria by using hypnosis. While she sleeps, he allows her to "talk" to all the soldiers involved in the incident. In this way, she is able to accept her husband's death. Seeing that the hypnotist is himself filled with guilt about the death, she in turn hypnotizes him. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rosalind Russell, Melvyn Douglas, (more)
- 1946
The watery world of the Coast Guard provides the setting for this musical that is loosely based on the famed Guard show Tars and Spars and makes fun of war movies. The story centers on the exploits of a heroic sailor who has never been to sea. Look for former Coast Guard sailor Sid Caesar in his feature film debut. Songs include: "Love Is a Merry-Go-Round," "I'm Glad I Waited for You," "Kiss Me Hello, Baby," "He's a Hero," "I Have a Love in Every Port," "I Always Mean to Tell You," "Don't Call Me After the War, Baby," "When I Get to Town," and "I Love Eggs" (Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn.) ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Janet Blair, Alfred Drake, (more)
