This
1950 movie tells the story of Beauregard Bottomly (
Ronald Coleman), an
eclectic know-it-all who lives quietly with his
books and the company of a foul-mouthed
parrot, Caesar (voiced by
Mel Blanc). In an attempt to bolster the family
budget, he applies for a position with Milady Soap Company and when he is summarily dismissed without consideration by it's
eccentric president, Burnbridge Waters (
Vincent Price), Bearegard does not let it lie. Beauregard's sister, and the family bread-winner, Gwenn (
Barbara Britton), is the key to his plans. She informs Beauregard of the
radio and
television quiz show that's all the
rage. He enters the
contest and is soon the
darling of listeners and viewers and the
thorn in the sides of Burnbridge and Happy Hogan (
Art Linkletter), the show's
smug and
smarmy host. It seems everyone is on Beauregard's side, even
Einstein, who calls the program to tell them that although the
answer given doesn't match the one on the card, it is still
correct. With the
prize money doubling for every right answer and the future ownership of Milady Soap Company in the
balance, Burnbridge turns to the
charming and
heartless Flame O'Neill (
Celeste Holm) to
sidetrack the "human
encyclopaedia." With the tension mounting, nobody wants to miss the next
question, especially not Beauregard. And what about Burnbridge's past association with Caesar?
With an engaging plot and superb acting from everyone involved, this is a definite must-see for any fan of Coleman or Price. In interviews, Price said that of all the movies he'd been in, this was his favorite. And while it is not my favorite, it is definitely near the top of my list.