Today’s quick review: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Walter Mitty (Danny Kaye), a mild-mannered proofreader, escapes from his overbearing mother (Fay Bainter) and vapid fiance (Ann Rutherford) by daydreaming of heroism and adventure. A real adventure falls into his lap when Walter shares a cab with Rosalind van Hoorn (Virginia Mayo) and agrees to help her keep a book containing the location of a hidden treasure from falling into the wrong hands.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a classic comedy adventure based on the short story by James Thurber. Danny Kaye stars as Walter Mitty, a quiet, unassertive man prone to grand flights of fancy. The movie features a charming premise, a likable main character, a story that is simple but effective, and a series of fantasy interludes that show off Danny Kaye’s wide array of talents.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty makes good on its premise. Walter struggles with both the mundane chores of daily life and the somewhat more difficult task of helping Rosalind protect a book that her enemies would kill for. Danny Kaye strikes a nice balance with the character: a capable man hidden beneath a thick layer of daydreams and acquiescence. Seeing him learn to stand up for himself is a treat.
However, the movie has a hard time tying its story together. Rosalind and her book are a naked contrivance designed to draw Walter out of his shell. Walter’s daydreams are one of the distinguishing features of the movie, but they are isolated and thinly motivated. The movie also gets lost once or twice, indulging Danny Kaye’s remarkable talents to the detriment of the story.
None of this gets in the way of the movie’s strengths, but it does it a hard sell for skeptical viewers. Fans of classic comedies will find The Secret Life of Walter Mitty to be a fine choice, a romp filled with light humor, song, and a dash of adventure. However, anyone looking for a tightly plotted story with real drama will find the movie a little thin.
For a loosely similar story that places a greater emphasis on character development and action, try the remake of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty starring Ben Stiller. For a classic romantic comedy that takes a shy man out of his comfort zone, try Bringing Up Baby. For another showcase of Danny Kaye’s talents, try The Court Jester, White Christmas, or The Inspector General.
[7.0 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039808/). I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for a particular sort of charm.