Danny Kaye and The Secret Life of Walter Mittty

applecorped · 21st August 2008, 06:45 PM

Like Abbott and Costello I grew up watching a lot of Danny Kaye. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is one of my favorite films. I have heard that it being remade and am, to say the least, apprehensive about the actor that ha to fill those shoes. Knowing that it Mike Myers is not comforting after his latest film, The Guru, died a quick and deserved death at the box office.

From Wiki:

Born David Daniel Kaminsky to Jewish Ukrainian immigrants in Brooklyn, Kaye became one of the world's best-known comedians. He spent his early youth attending Public School 149 in East New York, Brooklyn, before moving to Thomas Jefferson High School, but he never graduated. He learned his trade in his teen years in the Catskills as a tummler in the Borscht Belt

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sec...tty_(1947_film)

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty:

The remake of the film (more accurately a new film adaptation of the original short story) has a troubled on-again off-again history. At first, producer-directors Ron Howard and Steven Spielberg, with a host of screenwriters, and Kevin Anderson as Mitty, were going to re-do the film, but it fell through. Then it was to be made at Paramount Pictures, by producers Samuel Goldwyn, Jr., his brother John Goldwyn, and Richard Vane, with director Mark Waters and Owen Wilson cast as Mitty, with a screenplay by Richard LaGravenese. It was supposed to be released in 2007. It has since been taken over by 20th Century Fox, with Mike Myers in the title role, and scheduled to be shown in 2009.

applecorped · 21st August 2008, 06:46 PM

***The Love Guru****

bruto · 22nd August 2008, 04:35 PM

I dunno, but remaking that one seems a little like redoing The African Queen with Harrison Ford or something.

Tricky · 22nd August 2008, 04:52 PM

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty was a short story, and a very short short story by James Thurber. How Danny Kaye managed to take that character and morph him into a whole movie is one of the greatest miracles of Hollywood.

For my money, The Court Jester was his best movie. As a kid, I really liked his variety show. He was a very good singer too.

Gagglegnash · 22nd August 2008, 05:13 PM

Hi

The movie that was groovy had the awe and guffaw;
The remake with the mistake has the mule that's a fool.

....

Okokok - best I could do on short notice.

LibraryLady · 22nd August 2008, 05:21 PM

I'm sorry, but I just cannot stand Mike Myers. He makes me nauseous.

fuelair · 22nd August 2008, 06:10 PM

Mike Myers is fine as Mike Meyers. He is no Danny Kaye.

HistoryGal · 22nd August 2008, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by Tricky

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty was a short story, and a very short short story by James Thurber. How Danny Kaye managed to take that character and morph him into a whole movie is one of the greatest miracles of Hollywood.

Another Thurber fan? Yes! Did you ever watch "My World and Welcome To It"?

I really don't want to see Mike Myers in a Thurber story. I really, truly don't.

Quote:

For my money, The Court Jester was his best movie. As a kid, I really liked his variety show. He was a very good singer too.

No argument from me on that score.

"I'm the incomparable Giacomo, king of jesters and jester of kings."

"What manner of man is Giacomo? Ha ha! I shall tell you what manner of man is he. He lives for a sigh, he dies for a kiss, he lusts for the laugh, ha! He never walks when he can leap! he never flees when he can fight (thud) oop! He swoons at the beauty of a rose. And I offer myself to you, all of me. My heart. My lips. My legs. My calves. Do what you will -- my love endures. Beat me. Kick me. (kiss, kiss) I am yours."

(And I bet you thought I'd do the chalice from the palace bit, eh?)

HG

applecorped · 22nd August 2008, 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by Tricky

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty was a short story, and a very short short story by James Thurber. How Danny Kaye managed to take that character and morph him into a whole movie is one of the greatest miracles of Hollywood.

For my money, The Court Jester was his best movie. As a kid, I really liked his variety show. He was a very good singer too.

A recent ebay splurge:

21st August 2008, 06:45 PM	#1
applecorped Rotten to the Core Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 10,688	Danny Kaye and The Secret Life of Walter Mittty Like Abbott and Costello I grew up watching a lot of Danny Kaye. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is one of my favorite films. I have heard that it being remade and am, to say the least, apprehensive about the actor that ha to fill those shoes. Knowing that it Mike Myers is not comforting after his latest film, The Guru, died a quick and deserved death at the box office. From Wiki: Born David Daniel Kaminsky to Jewish Ukrainian immigrants in Brooklyn, Kaye became one of the world's best-known comedians. He spent his early youth attending Public School 149 in East New York, Brooklyn, before moving to Thomas Jefferson High School, but he never graduated. He learned his trade in his teen years in the Catskills as a tummler in the Borscht Belt http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sec...tty_(1947_film) The Secret Life of Walter Mitty: The remake of the film (more accurately a new film adaptation of the original short story) has a troubled on-again off-again history. At first, producer-directors Ron Howard and Steven Spielberg, with a host of screenwriters, and Kevin Anderson as Mitty, were going to re-do the film, but it fell through. Then it was to be made at Paramount Pictures, by producers Samuel Goldwyn, Jr., his brother John Goldwyn, and Richard Vane, with director Mark Waters and Owen Wilson cast as Mitty, with a screenplay by Richard LaGravenese. It was supposed to be released in 2007. It has since been taken over by 20th Century Fox, with Mike Myers in the title role, and scheduled to be shown in 2009.
	__________________ All You Need Is Love.

21st August 2008, 06:46 PM	#2
applecorped Rotten to the Core Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 10,688	*The Love Guru**
	__________________ All You Need Is Love.

22nd August 2008, 04:35 PM	#3
bruto Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: way way north of Diddy Wah Diddy Posts: 11,191	I dunno, but remaking that one seems a little like redoing The African Queen with Harrison Ford or something.
	__________________ "Sir, I have found you an argument; but I am not obliged to find you an understanding.(Samuel Johnson) The gods are less for their love of praise....(Wendell Berry)

22nd August 2008, 05:13 PM	#5
Gagglegnash Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,447	Hi The movie that was groovy had the awe and guffaw; The remake with the mistake has the mule that's a fool. .... Okokok - best I could do on short notice.
	__________________ But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg. -----Thomas Jefferson, Notes on Virginia, 1782 Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because if there be one he must approve of the homage of reason more than that of blindfolded fear. -----Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Peter Carr, August 10, 1787

22nd August 2008, 05:21 PM	#6
LibraryLady ...but not JUST a LibraryLady Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Building a house in the common ground Posts: 13,079	I'm sorry, but I just cannot stand Mike Myers. He makes me nauseous.
	__________________ What would Hüsker Dü? I am still not a political person, but I am proud that Richard’s and my name is on a court case that can help reinforce the love, the commitment, the fairness, and the family that so many people, black or white, young or old, gay or straight, seek in life. I support the freedom to marry for all. That’s what Loving, and loving, are all about. Mildred Loving

22nd August 2008, 04:52 PM	#4
Tricky Briefly immortal Moderator Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The Group W bench Posts: 42,371	The Secret Life of Walter Mitty was a short story, and a very short short story by James Thurber. How Danny Kaye managed to take that character and morph him into a whole movie is one of the greatest miracles of Hollywood. For my money, The Court Jester was his best movie. As a kid, I really liked his variety show. He was a very good singer too.

22nd August 2008, 06:10 PM	#7
fuelair Cythraul Enfys Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 28,961	Mike Myers is fine as Mike Meyers. He is no Danny Kaye.
fuelair Cythraul Enfys Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 28,961	__________________ There is no problem so great that it cannot be fixed by small explosives carefully placed. Wash this space! We fight for the Lady Babylon!!!

22nd August 2008, 06:16 PM	#8
HistoryGal Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Land of La Posts: 1,572	Originally Posted by Tricky The Secret Life of Walter Mitty was a short story, and a very short short story by James Thurber. How Danny Kaye managed to take that character and morph him into a whole movie is one of the greatest miracles of Hollywood. Another Thurber fan? Yes! Did you ever watch "My World and Welcome To It"? I really don't want to see Mike Myers in a Thurber story. I really, truly don't. Quote: For my money, The Court Jester was his best movie. As a kid, I really liked his variety show. He was a very good singer too. No argument from me on that score. "I'm the incomparable Giacomo, king of jesters and jester of kings." "What manner of man is Giacomo? Ha ha! I shall tell you what manner of man is he. He lives for a sigh, he dies for a kiss, he lusts for the laugh, ha! He never walks when he can leap! he never flees when he can fight (thud) oop! He swoons at the beauty of a rose. And I offer myself to you, all of me. My heart. My lips. My legs. My calves. Do what you will -- my love endures. Beat me. Kick me. (kiss, kiss) I am yours." (And I bet you thought I'd do the chalice from the palace bit, eh?) HG

22nd August 2008, 06:24 PM	#9
applecorped Rotten to the Core Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 10,688	Originally Posted by Tricky The Secret Life of Walter Mitty was a short story, and a very short short story by James Thurber. How Danny Kaye managed to take that character and morph him into a whole movie is one of the greatest miracles of Hollywood. For my money, The Court Jester was his best movie. As a kid, I really liked his variety show. He was a very good singer too. A recent ebay splurge:
	__________________ All You Need Is Love.