The Rocket Man (film)
The Rocket Man is a 1954 black-and-white comedy film from 20th Century Fox, produced by Leonard Goldstein, directed by Oscar Rudolph, that stars Charles Coburn, Spring Byington, Anne Francis, John Agar, and George "Foghorn" Winslow. The script was co-written by Lenny Bruce and Jack Henley from a story by George W. George and George F. Slavin.[1] A comedy with science fiction overtones, the film carries the tag line, “Out-of-this-world laughter and down-to-earth charm when the face from space turns out to be ... the kid next door!”[2]
The Rocket Man | |
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Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Oscar Rudolph |
Produced by | Leonard Goldstein |
Written by | Lenny Bruce Jack Henley |
Based on | A story by
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Starring | Charles Coburn Spring Byington Anne Francis John Agar |
Cinematography | John Seitz |
Edited by | Paul Weatherwax |
Production company | |
Release date |
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Country | United States |
Language | English |
The New York Times found the fact that comedian Lenny Bruce was one of the film's screenwriters was the "strangest aspect of the low-budget production", noting that the film contains little of Bruce's trademark humor.[3]
Plot
As a result of the sudden and unexplained appearance of a mysterious rocket man, a little boy comes into possession of a mysterious ray gun that compels anyone caught in its beam to tell the truth. He uses it to prevent his orphanage from being foreclosed upon by creditors and to help a young couple fall in love.[4]
Cast
- George "Foghorn" Winslow as Timmy
- Charles Coburn as Mayor Ed Johnson
- Spring Byington as Justice Amelia Brown
- John Agar as Tom Baxter
- Anne Francis as June Brown
- Beverly Garland as Ludine
- Stanley Clements as Bob
- Emory Parnell as Big Bill Watkins
References
- "Movies Were Always Magical": Interviews with 19 Actors, Leo Verswijver - 2003 Page 40- Rocket Man (20th Century Fox, 1954). DlR Oscar Rudolph. PROD Leonard Goldstein. SCR Lenny Bruce, Jack Henley (story by George W. George, George F . Slavin). CAM John F. Seitz. ED Paul Weatherwax. Ml's Lionel Newman. RUNNING
- Laura Wagner Anne Francis: The Life and Career 2011 -p 25 "She was given the second lead (with John Agar) in The Rocket Man (1954), an ordinary, passable comedy with some sci-fi elements made for Panoramic Productions, the company run by producer Leonard Goldstein that made flat-screen pictures for Fox " ; Page 129 "The Rocket Man (1954) “Out-of-this-world laughter and down-to-earth charm when the face from space turns out to be ... the kid next door!” Director: Oscar Rudolph."
- "The Rocket Man (1954)". nytimes.com. The New York Times. 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- The Rocket Man at the TCM Movie Database