Search - Double Dynamite on DVD

A real gem for Groucho Marx fans.

05/19/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I had seen this title listed but could never get hold of it. When I finally did I was very pleasantly surprised. Groucho turns in a great comic performance, and Sinatra and Russell are very good also. A high point: Groucho & Frank sing a duet ("It's Only Dough") while strolling down the avenue. A delightful find!"

Overlooked Early 50's Comedy

08/23/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"An under rated little gem with some very funny scenes: Jane in the shower; Groucho impersonating a millionaire; Frank looking for the bookie's hideout but finding only nice ladies (leading to the classic line "Youre not a man!"), and a nice punch line involving the IRS"

Double Dynamite never quite takes off...

Ruth Anderson | 06/13/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Double Dynamite is most definitely not one of Sinatra's better films, but it's a fairly cute (if predictable) romantic comedy nonetheless. Oddly enough Sinatra and leading lady Jane Russell have zero chemistry - but the film really lights up when Sinatra exchanges quips with the fast-talking Groucho Marx. Sadly, Russell just doesn't get to exhibit any of the spitfire personality that makes her performances in films like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Son of Paleface shine. If the film had focused more on Sinatra and Marx's friendship - been a buddy/caper comedy - instead of focusing on the romantic angle I think it would've been much more successful. For some reason the plot reminded me a bit of the Nicholas Cage rom-com It Could Happen to You. Double Dynamite has a sort of been there, done that feel to it, but thanks to Groucho Marx livening things up the film has some cute moments. It's worth pointing out that the Sinatra-Russell duet "Kisses and Tears" is a fun song, well-executed. The DVD is just the film, no chapter breaks, but the picture is crisp and the sound is clear."

Double Dynamite review

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 06/29/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Double Dynamite may not be the very best film I've ever seen; but it's far from being the worst I've watched! The acting is very good and the casting is excellent; the actors do their best with a script that could have been funnier although it's still entertaining. The choreography and the cinematography work well and the plot moves along at a good pace. Much credit is owed to Groucho Marx, who gradually carries more and more of the movie as it goes along.

When the film starts, we are quickly introduced to the principle three characters: bank tellers Johnny Dalton (Frank Sinatra) and his girlfriend Mildred (aka "Mibs") (Jane Russell) and Johnny's waiter pal Emile J. Keck (Groucho Marx). Johnny and Mibs work for a "friendly" bank in California--so "friendly," in fact, that manager J.L. McKissack (Harry Hayden) turns down Johnny's request for a raise even though it's just before Christmas and Johnny (and Mildred) make $42.50 a week as bank tellers, a sum that was paltry even back then!

One day Johnny saves a man from being beaten up by two other men. The man turns out to be "Hot Horse" Harris, a bookie (Nestor Paiva); and "Hot Horse" rewards Johnny by helping him win $60,000 betting on horses even though Johnny doesn't believe in gambling. ("Hot Horse" and his men "assist" Johnny when he doesn't want to bet any money.)

Things start to look up for Johnny--now, with this windfall, he can finally marry "Mibs" and buy her the things he wants to buy her. However, just by rotten luck the bank is short by a similar amount of money--and it isn't long before they start to suspect that Johnny took the money! The fact that "Mibs" gets a fur coat from Johnny for Christmas only intensifies their suspicion and surveillance of Johnny; and Johnny can't find "Hot Horse" to prove that he didn't take the money. The only person who believes Johnny is his waiter friend Emile who dreams up ways for Johnny to hide the money--including, of course, putting the money in Emile's own name after which Emile starts to go through it like water!

Of course, the plot can go in many different directions from here. Will Johnny ever be able to prove his innocence? What happens when "Mibs" gets angry with Johnny just before Christmas and goes out on a date with R.B. 'Bob' Pulsifer Jr., the bank owner's son! How will Emile be able to help Johnny and "Mibs?" No spoilers here--watch and find out! Look also for good performances by William Edmunds as Mr. Baganucci, the owner of the restaurant where Emile works and Howard Freeman as R.B. Pulsifer Sr.

Double Dynamite is a fun motion picture; and I recommend it for fans of the actors in this film. It's also a good film for people who enjoy musicals as there are two or three well done songs as the film goes along."