The Great Rupert is a 1950 comedy family film starring Jimmy Durante, Tom Drake and Terry Moore, produced by George Pal and directed by Irving Pichel. It is based on a story written by Ted Allan that has also been published as a children's book under the title Willie the Squowse.
The story revolves around a little animated squirrel who, with much charm, accidentally helps two economically distressed families overcome their obstacles.
Louie Amendola (Jimmy Durante), once a vaudeville performer with his wife and daughter, hasn't been getting any work, and, as Christmas approaches, his family is homeless. They find a room at Frank Dingle's (Frank Orth) house, but don't know how they'll pay the rent. Then the money Frank's been hiding in the ceiling above their apartment lands in the Amendolas' hands when a crafty squirrel heaves it out of its hiding space, causing more complications within the household.
Credits
Jimmy Durante as Mr. Louie Amendola
Terry Moore as Rosalinda Amendola
Tom Drake as Peter 'Pete' Dingle
Frank Orth as Mr. Frank Dingle
Sara Haden as Mrs. Katie Dingle
Queenie Smith as Mrs. Amendola
Chick Chandler as Phil Davis
Jimmy Conlin as Joe Mahoney
Rupert, an animated squirrel
Hugh Sanders as Mulligan
Don Beddoe as Mr. Haggerty
Candy Candido as Molineri - Florist
Clancy Cooper as Police Lt. Saunders
Harold Goodwin as Callahan - F.B.I. Man
Frank Cady as Mr. Taney - Tax Investigator
Irving Pichel as Puzzled Pedestrian (uncredited)
