Product Details

• Actors: Don Beddoe, Frank Cady, Candy Candido, Chick Chandler, Jimmy Conlin
• Format: Black & White, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Image Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: June 1, 1999
• Run Time: 87 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00000ILER
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #148,836 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "The Great Rupert" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Although it's now more of a curiosity and a quaint reminder of a time when movies possessed a quality of innocence that has long since vanished, The Great Rupert was something of a marvel when it was released in 1950. Produced by special-effects pioneer George Pal, who had delighted audiences of the 1940s with his innovative series of Puppetoon shorts, this charming comedy employs Pal's technique of animated puppetry to bring life to the title character--a lovable trained squirrel that comes to the rescue of a down-and-out family of vaudeville performers in the depths of the Great Depression.

Jimmy Durante leads the struggling clan, barely able to pay rent in a converted garage adjoining the home of a man who's been stockpiling lucrative investment dividends in the floorboard between the two homes. From his cubbyhole in the wall, resourceful Rupert has been tossing wads of $100 bills to Durante's wife, who thinks it's cash from heaven! Ol' Jimmy cracks wise with ancient puns and one-liners, making this a treat for Durante fans looking for squeaky-clean family entertainment. And once he's saved the day for all involved, furry-tailed Rupert goes back to his own vaudeville gig with his devoted owner, played by another veteran of vaudeville, Jimmy Conlin. It's all a bit too sweet by today's tarnished standards, but The Great Rupert stands as a testament to George Pal's optimistic spirit and creative imagination, which would later bless the productions of such films as The Time Machine and The Seven Faces of Dr. Lao. --Jeff Shannon

Product Description

The Great Rupert is sci-fi pioneer George Pal's first feature film. Starring Jimmy Durante in one of his most memorable screen performances, "The Great Rupert" is the heart-warming tale of a loveable trained squirrel, a puppet animated through Pal's Academy Award-winning Puppetoon technique, who inadvertently helps a family of vaudeville performers who are down on their luck.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lost Christmas Classic!, June 12, 2005

By 

Movie Nut (New York USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Great Rupert (DVD)

I don't recall ever seeing this movie but based on the reviews and the fact that I love Jimmy Durante, I bought it. Well, I was more than pleased that I purchased it for my collection. What an delightful film! I found myself laughing out loud so many times that my kids finally came in and sat down to watch it too- The actors are wonderful and as always... Jimmy steals the show!!! I consider myself somewhat of a 'movie buff' and I never heard of this film before so the same may go for many of you, but take a chance and get this wonderful film- Great for the whole family and not just at the holiday season, but all year long!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Great Ruperta must-see, must-buy DVD, August 24, 2000

By 

Alan R. Applegate (Roswell, NM United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Great Rupert (DVD)

This is a really delightful picture directed by Irving Pichel, and staring the unflappable Jimmy Durante. Although George Pal's puppetoon technique is dated by today's standards, kids old and young alike will enjoy this picture. I was 10 years old when I first saw The Great Rupert in 1950 at the old Warwick theater in Kansas City, Missouri. It brought a tear or two of nostalgia, and the thought-why don't they make fun movies like this today? My hat's off to Arnold Leibovit for bringing us one of the best DVD transfers you'll ever see.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cant lose on this classic tale., July 28, 2005

By 

Andre Villemaire (Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Great Rupert (DVD)

They dont make family films anymore like this...
Ive heard of it, but i never had the chance to see it.
Good old Jimmy Durante.... this guy is a classic act. Use to see
him on Ed Sullivan or other shows and we always enjoyed him, his
siging his jokes...
So this movie which depicts different characters which is set
in the good old no money ..depression days delivers the package.
With a excellent cast,good storetelling and Rupert, this movie
can be watched by anybody, and its guaranteed that it will entertain you and leave you with a smile.