Mr. Universe (1951)

Genres - Comedy  |   Sub-Genres - Sports Drama  |   Run Time - 79 min.  |   Countries - United States  |   MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Hal Erickson

Yes, that's Vincent Edwards under that lavish blonde hairpiece in Eagle-Lion's Mr. Universe. An unsubtle lampoon of professional wrestling, the film top-bills Jack Carson as manager Jeff Clayton, who convinces bodybuilding contest winner Tommy Tomkins (Edwards) that "you gotta have a gimmick." Tommy rises to fame in the wrestling ring as a Gorgeous George clone, while Clayton tries to pay equal attention to his faithful girlfriend Lorraine (Janis Paige) and to extortion-prone gangster Fingers Maroni (Robert Alda). After several fixed bouts, Tommy shows he's really got what it takes in an honest grappling match. Just in case anyone might take this thing seriously, Bert Lahr shows up as wrestling promoter Joe Pulaski. Also on hand are famed ringside announcer Dennis James ("Okay, mother!"), former boxing champ Maxie Rosenbloom, and radio tenor Donald Novis. Something for everybody!

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Keywords

wrestling-Greco-Roman, sports, universe