Top Banana

Top Banana is a colorful, bold and thoroughly engaging slapstick comedy movie that hails from the early 1950s. Released in 1954 and filmed in vibrant Eastmancolor, it is a dynamic American comedic musical that only enhances the already vivid era of the 1950s cinema. Starring the iconic, quick-witted Phil Silvers leading the cast, the movie is an adaptation of a successful Broadway show, breathing new life into a beloved stage production and bringing it to an even wider audience.

Emerging as one of the classic representatives of early American comedy, Top Banana breaks the fourth wall by exhibiting multiple times the direct interaction of characters with the audience, engaging them into the plot and blurring the lines of fiction and reality. The film promises lots of laughter but, at the same time, it provides a critical insight into the functioning of early TV shows and the struggles they faced.

Certain to delight fans of the 1950s comedy and musical genre alike, Top Banana shines with its outstanding performances and unforgettable comedic timing. Phil Silvers, famous for his stage and television roles, portrays Jerry Biffle, the star of a popular television variety show. His character is a loud, brassy, fast-talking New Yorker who leads the show with unabashed gusto and relentless humor. Beneath the dazzle and the jokes, however, there's a sharp commentary on the television industry, and the character of Biffle reflects this perfectly.

The legendary Rose Marie, famous for her roles in The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Doris Day Show, among others, plays Betty Dillon, Jerry’s faithful secretary. She is the ‘behind-the-scenes’ heart of the television production, running the show and keeping everything and everyone in line — all while adeptly keeping up with Jerry's rapid-fire patter. Her performance adds a different flavor to the comedy, which balances perfectly with Silver's antics.

Danny Scholl, a popular Broadway performer and club singer of the 1950s and 1960s, features as Cliff Lane, a handsome but somewhat naive television singing star under Jerry Biffle's constant tutelage. The relationship between these three main characters and their individual portrayals are what drive much of the humor. Their comedic exchanges capture the sometimes chaotic but always entertaining world of television production brilliantly.

Top Banana also offers a touching on-screen romance. When Cliff falls for the pretty and ambitious television usherette Sally Peters, played by the lively Judy Lynn, romantic entanglements ensue. This side plot adds an element of sweetness to the film, balancing the high-energy, full-speed-ahead comedy style that permeates the rest of the movie.

Behind all the comedy and laugh-out-loud moments, Top Banana peels back the layers of the early, cut-throat television industry, offering a somewhat satirical glimpse into the mishaps and day-to-day reality of a live, variety television show production. Much of the humor lies in the meta-commentary on the stress and struggles of running a live show – from souring ratings to personal clashes, there's never a dull moment.

Director Alfred E. Green's adaptation of the Broadway hit is also notable for its striking choreography and memorable musical numbers. The film features songs by popular Broadway composer Johnny Mercer, which adds to its inherent charm. Many scenes stroll over the line between the narrative and a stage performance, mirroring its Broadway roots.

Visually, Top Banana is alive with the glitz and glamour of 1950s shows and TV productions. The beautifully designed sets, vibrant color cinematography, and detailed period costumes all contribute to creating an exciting spectacle, transporting viewers back to the heyday of the variety television show era.

In essence, the film delivers a power pack of humor, music, romance, and social commentary intertwined into a jovial experience. Anyone with a fondness for classic Hollywood, Broadway adaptations, or simply a thoroughly entertaining film brimming with laughter and excitement, is sure to enjoy the magic and mirth of Top Banana.