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Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786302215731
Format: Color, NTSC
ISBN: 6302215730
Label: Hbo Home Video
Manufacturer: Hbo Home Video
Publisher: Hbo Home Video
Release Date: February 21, 1995
Running Time: 110 minutes
Sales Rank: 9084
Studio: Hbo Home Video
Theatrical Release Date: September 01, 1947
Editorial Review:
Amazon.com:
If there's one movie Danny Kaye fans fondly remember, it's The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. The versatile comedian--also an unsurpassed song-and-dance man--plays a henpecked, thriller-genre book writer suddenly enmeshed in a real adventure involving the (literal) girl of his dreams (Virginia Mayo). Initially criticized for not staying true to the more melancholic sensibility of author James Thurber's original story (Thurber allegedly offered producer Samuel Goldwyn $10,000 to not make the film), it not only works as an independent story, but remains highly entertaining and wears well upon repeated viewing. Kaye's milquetoast Walter fantasizes distractedly about being heroic, whether a gunslinger, an Air Force pilot, or a riverboat gambler. His 'Anatole of Paris' number, in which Walter fancies himself a French hat designer who, in the end, declares he hates women, is nothing short of brilliant. That number, like many of Kaye's trademark patter deliveries, was penned by his wife, Sylvia Fine. Kaye benefits from a wonderful supporting cast: Mayo; Boris Karloff as maniacal Dr. Hugo Hollingshead; Faye Bainter as Walter's repressive but lively mother; Ann Rutherford as his suspicious fiancée Gertrude; and Gordon Jones as Tubby, who not only has designs on Gertrude, but provides the villain in Walter's fantasies. --N.F. Mendoza
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Your Funny Bone Will Go Ta-Pockita-Pockita-Pockita
One of the all time classic comedic actors, Danny Kaye gives a charming and varied performance as day dreamer Walter Mitty. A helpless hopeful who works for a publishing company and constanly gets himself into trouble by dreaming his life more fantastic. Whether it be doctor, fighter pilot or gambling gentleman, he becomes the man he wishes he could be but is absolutely not. Charming, debonaire, brave and sophisticated. The real Walter Mitty posesses none of these attributes.
Things ... Read More
Rating:  - What Causes Daydreams?
This film was inspired by the short stories of James Thurber. Walter Mitty drives to the train station in a small NJ town that resembles southern California. Mitty works for a publishing company in Manhattan that prints racy detective stories and other popular magazines (classified as "escapist" literature). Mitty's daydreams are interspersed with his real life. An imagined operation has comic touches. His fiance's dog doesn't trust him. His furnace has logs that burn quickly (unlike in the real world). ... Read More
Rating:  - Pure Entertainment
For you Danny Kaye fans, well you know all about this anyway. For those looking for a good family movie, this is it. Perhaps not Kayes best work, but near the top. Great screen adaptation of Thurbers short story. Movie stands alone and is easily identified with by us "dreamers" out here. Do recommend a read of the original short story for a more complete understanding of where this character came from and how well Kaye protrays this mild mannered man and brings him to life.
Rating: - Slightly faded
When I saw this in 1947 or '48 I thought it was more hilarious than anything I'd ever seen before. I thought the same of Up in Arms, Knock on Wood, The Court Jester, and all Kaye vehicles. I must have been more innocent in those far-off days, and, sadly, it is now not quite as good as I then thought it; in fact, memory had enhanced the classic scenes and the dream sequences had got even better over time, so that when I saw them again they were faintly disappointing. Still, anyone viewing the film for the ... Read More
Rating: - Fearless Dreamer
Danny kaye was a gifted physical comedian and Walter Mitty is one of his best roles. He dreams because his life is not too exciting. I think lots of people can relate to this. Walter is brave when in his real life he is not. Then he meets Virginia Mayo (a beautiful blonde) who just happens to be his dream girl come alive. The story is universal and makes the viewer laugh 90% of the time. For all ages. Terrific!
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