WTF?! - It's A Small World (1950)

WTF?! - It’s A Small World - (1950)

“This is a story of a special group of people. It concerns the great difficulty they have in adjusting themselves to a normal world.”

This week in WTF Cinema I focus on a little lesser known film entitled “It’s A Small World.” The film tells the tale of midget Harry Musk (Paul Dale) and his plight to fit into his all adult-sized world. An early profiteering offering by shocker great William Castle, “It’s A Small World” features a strong supporting cast and a simple, progressive life storyline. In the opening of the film we see Musk as a boy on the playground being bullied by his classmates. He longs after the girls, battles at home with his sister, and raised by his father. As he gets older he doesn’t get bigger; the world around him does. After having his heart crushed by his high school sweetheart, who announces she’s leaving to be married to her new beau, Harry chooses to leave the nest and venture into the big city, hoping to find acceptance and a purpose. 

“Small World’s” writer and director William Castle was quoted in the Los Angeles Times; "I thought the time was ripe for an offbeat story, one that the majors would shy away from; so I wrote it myself. We chose midgets, a sociological rather than a racial minority, because we felt nobody ever has taken them quite seriously, although they are as much a part of the human race as the next guy. Our picture would not be on the freak side…”  

I quite enjoyed this little unchartered flick. Castle shares a sweeter side with his script, and the Lilliputian main character could be anyone who is ostracized today; because of race, sexual preference, physical or mental disability, et. al. It doesn’t matter. What does matter is that “It’s A Small World” shares the common denominator with the human side of growing older and asking to be accepted into humanity.  Although it first appears as exploitative, once you begin to follow the path of the main character’s life story, you feel empathy for him. It’s just a simple story about someone who’s different trying to fit into society; learning that it’s not always about fitting in, but forging your own path and standing out. The performances are all honest, and genuine.

The film, told almost as a three-act play, follows Harry on his life path.  Released on June 24th, 1950, by Eagle-Lion films, “Small World” came and went with not much hoopla, but its message is simple and effective. It's not a horror movie, but quite frequently compared to “Freaks”; it's really not the same type of movie. As in all of Castle’s films, emulating Hitchcock, he made cameo appearances - look for him as a cop in this one.

(Trying not to spoil it too much) At one point, we visit the factual and well-known Cole Brothers Circus homed in Miami, FL. Founded in 1884, as "W.W. Cole’s New Colossal Shows" the CBC was most noted as the home of Bobo the Clown; and noted animal trainer Clyde Beatty. Beatty rose to fame in Hollywood as an accomplished Lion Tamer.

Stand alone kudos goes out to little person actor Paul Dale.

It’s Hollywood “history” that Dale got his start in the 1939 classic “The Wizard of Oz” as one of the Lollipop Guild members. Dale was also one of the bell hops in the radio and TV ads for Philip Morris cigarettes. He was the one in the hotel lobby calling "CALL FOR PHILIP MORRIS!!!" He was also the voice of Lennie Lennox on a program on KFJB radio in Marshalltown, Iowa, which was sponsored by Lennox Industries (the makers of Lennox furnaces). 
Dale appeared in an all midget review

in the 40s but went back to Hollywood to appear in “Small World.” Surprisingly, he didn’t receive much. The little-person actor only received $700-$800 for his role in the film. 

Noted supporting performance accolades go out to; handsome “It’s a Wonderful Life” actor (brother Harry Bailey) Todd Karns - who in his charming performance befriends Musk, employing him as a shoeshine boy; and Actor Will Gear as William Musk, Harry’s father. Geer is probably best known for the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, an outdoor professional theatre, still producing plays here in the Topanga Canyon area of Los Angeles. Actress Lorraine Miller (White Gorilla) as “Buttons” the sharp talkin’- no nonsense crooked dame, whom Harry falls for in the big city turns in a memorable performance; and fellow little person actress Anne Sholter as Seasoned Circus Showgal “Dolly Burke.”

Notable technical contributor to the film (outside of the mind of William Castle) is Cinematographer Karl Struss (Sunrise, The Fly, and The Great Dictator). That being said, the film has a beautifully shot and has a pretty look to it. 

“It’s a Small World” represents a progressionary period for William Castle. He was slowly drifting from his noir films like “Johnny Stool Pigeon” to more iconic horror films like “The Tingler” and “House On Haunted Hill.” In 1949 Castle moved over to Universal-International under a three-year contract that he claimed was double what he had received from his former employer, Columbia Pictures. Castle referred to the struggling studio as a a “country club with flowers and manicured lawns, that gave the feeling of peace and tranquility.” After “It’s  Small World,” UI forced Castle out of contract and back into the arms of Columbia. 

Wonderful WTF moments in “It’s A Small World” include; his bratty sister leading the torment of nonacceptance; Harry’s Pick Pocket crew in the city, led by “Buttons” and the over-sized strangling Godmother (Nina Koshetz);

some wonderfully kooky time progression montages which include some floating faces in flashback of torment and the rough big city; and an oddly placed musical number called “It’s A Small World” sung by our hero near the end of the picture. 

The biggest WTF fact? Now here’s the kicker; “Paul Dale” is actually performer Dale E. Paullin, and as of the writing of this article, still lives today in a Rest Home in Iowa. At age 90 he still seems cognizant of his days as a performer. Paullin had an extensive show business career billed as Paul Dale. Other than appearing in “It’s a Small World,” he was a tap dancer and sang as a tenor and a soprano. During his career, Paullin periodically returned to Marshalltown to visit family and to appear as a guest star with the County Marshalls band as part of KFJB’s “Barn Dance,” program performed live at the Coliseum. Paullin left school early to pursue that career. Paullin has a memoir “Amazing! Daring!” subtitled; “A Man Forced to Live in a Child’s World” which is the subtitle on the poster of “It’s A Small World.”

This now-senior has found himself in a “hot bed” of controversy over the years, solely because he is attributed with an “uncredited” credit on IMDB as one of the Lollipop Guild members in the 1939 classic “The Wizard of Oz.” He speaks fondly of his days on the set with Judy Garland, however he is never seen in the film. Years later he affirms that a former coworker informed him that his scenes were “cut” from the film. Who Knows? No one but Paullin really knows the truth because he has no photos of him on the set of the film. 

Did Paullin appear in the Wizard of Oz or not? Not in the final cut he doesn’t. He claims he was in the film, told people he’s in the film, but was later informed that he was cut from the film. The man is 90 and is a good example of how he could rewrite history. Ruth Smith was also from Marshalltown, IA and is confirmed as being in it. Smith passed away in the mid 80s. Paullin’s love for Iowa seemed dutiful. His parents are buried there, and he’s been embraced by the Marshalltown community as a hometown hero. Just this year Aiddy Phomvisay, Marshalltown High School principal presented Dale Paullin of Marshalltown with an honorary MHS diploma at a special ceremony at the Villa del Sol complex, where he lives. Phomvisay said Paullin earned the degree because he had moved from Marshalltown at a young age, but had remained “a life long learner” and thereby exemplified other MHS graduates. Paullin, 90, said he was thrilled with the honor. “I’m proud to be a Marshalltonian today,” he said. Witnessing the ceremony were Paullin’s friends and fellow Villa del Sol residents. A display of memorabilia from Paullin’s life and show business career is on display at the Historical Society of Marshall County museum, 202 E. Church St., in Marshalltown, IA.

“It’s A Small World” faded into oblivion until the “Something Weird” video line released the film on VHS in 1995, and most recently, the brains over at Warner Archives now offer it on DVD for purchase. 

"It's A Small World" 
1950 - 74 minutes DVD
$14.99
Click HERE to buy

Below are a couple of wonderful interviews with Paullin as well as the "It's A Small World" musical number!




Desmoine Register Interview

WHO-TV Interview

WTF?! - So Fine (1981)

WTF?! - So Fine (1981)

When I was a kid, just about the age of 13 or so I remember playing in my parent’s attic and coming across a dresser drawer with buttons in it. They were all shapes and sizes. Not buttons like you’d sew on a shirt, no; but they were badges with different fun sayings on them. I’d giggle at the one that said, “I don’t mind if you smoke, as long as you don’t mind if I fart,” and “Linda Lovelace for President.” As I flipped through these funny medallions I found one that said “So Fine” with the picture of a woman’s rump slipped into jeans with her fanny cheeks showing trough clear plastic windows. I marveled at it. I thought, so weird... but funny!

I later came to find out that it was a promotional item for a film that had come out that year called, “So Fine” from Warner Brothers. “So Fine" stars Ryan O’Neal and comic vet Jack Warden. With the onset of Philadelphia area’s Prism Cable TV channel, I finally got to see the film when it first came on TV. Not remembering much of the film but remembering it was a little silly, I came across the film on 16mm as bid item on EBAY; but alas, lost the bid to someone in Canada (Damn Canadians!). Finally, I’m thrilled to say that Warner Archives does this one proud, and now makes it available on DVD.

Our story takes place in the hallowed halls of a New England university where our stuffy hero, Bobby Fine (Ryan O’Neal) teaches literature. His father Jack (Jack Warden) runs a failing 7th Avenue dress factory and is way-into debt with a monster of a mobster loan shark, played by James Bond villain extraordinary Richard Kiel. After getting wrapped up in a resolution deal with the loan shark, Bobby dives into a rendezvous with the mobster’s wife (Mariangela Melato of Swept Away). While escaping from being caught in bed with the doll, Bobby rips his jeans open in the butt, accidentally creating a new fashion craze called “So Fine Jeans.” 

“So Fine” is the directing debut for screenwriter and New york native Andrew Bergman. Bergman rose to acclaim by co-penning such hilarities as “Blazing Saddles” and “The In-Laws.” In a wonderful interview with author Joel Engel, “Screenwriters on Screenwriting,” Bergman recounts his feelings on the film:

AB: “I’m still sort of an academic... I think that’s why ‘So Fine’ was about academia; it was a metaphor for the movie business. Ryan O’Neal going into the dress business was really me going into the movie business.”

JE: “Ryan O’Neal seems to me to have been interesting casting.”

AB: “He’s a great physical comedian. First of all, Warner Brothers wasn’t going to let me do the picture unless we had a major star in it. Ryan was it. I mean, he’s not the logical person to play an English professor who’s Jewish. But I really wanted to make the picture, so I said, ‘Screw it.’ Ryan is a great physical comedian--I think one of the great wasted talents. He’s extraordinarily funny.”

Melato and Keil cut the Disco rug

When I bought “So Fine” I thought for sure that I’d be reliving how bad the film was, and only enjoying it for its 80s camp value. The funny thing is, I loved it! Now an adult who’s seen much more of the world, and experienced many more slapstick comedies; 

I have to say, I feel that “So Fine” actually delivers “the funny” way more than originally thought. O’Neal is hands down charming in the role. His role as Bobby is quite reminiscent of his screwball antics with Barbra Streisand in “What’s Up, Doc?” Jack Warden’s one liners had me gaffaing out loud and splitting my stitches of the comic blue jeans in my head. I also took delight in some quick, but contributive cameos; Fred Gwynne (aka Herman Munster) as the university’s Department Chairman; Asian character actor James Hong (Blade Runner, Kung Fu Panda); and most-notably, singer comedienne Judith Cohen, who was discovered on the classic sit-com “Good Times” as a sad-sack performer singing “Send In The Clowns.” 

Sadly, this Clothing Industry comedy didn’t do well and was a farcical flop at the box office. David Denby of New York Magazine called the film “crass and depressingly unfunny”; but liked Malato comparing her to Streisand, only “quieter, prettier, and funnier.” Ryan O’Neal spoke highly of Melato in his memoir “Both Of Us: My Life with Farrah," but thought it was a weak debut for Bergman. In his 40s when “So Fine” was released, O’Neal’s most recent success, up to that point, was with Streisand in “The Main Event” just a few years earlier. “So Fine” would appear to be a slump for him, until “Irreconcilable Differences” came out in 1984. 

Mariangela Melato and Ryan O'Neal 

Despite other bad reviews, Janet Maslin of “The New York Times” liked the hometown film, writing “Mr. Bergman's direction is for the most part skillful and confident. 'So Fine' is a little shapeless overall, especially after it sends Bobby back to his college once the jeans have made jean history. But its comic episodes are nicely controlled, and the movie has a consistent zany style. An early college sequence, with Fred Gwynne offering a wittily grotesque caricature of a department chairman and David Rounds as an ambitious underling, is perfectly in keeping with the gangster and garment episodes that come later.”

“So Fine” has a silly charm to it, but is possible the film didn't do well because it was poking fun at women in a unintentionally misogynistic manner. (I mean, it was the 80s) That being said, “So Fine” is a great film to watch because it launches the 80s as a decade, having fun and poking light at the superficial clothing design industry. The film played for a few years on cable and broadcast TV but pretty much disappeared in the 90s until now. The DVD offering from Warner Archives looks great and is presented in its original widescreen format.

Bergman would not regain popularity as a director until “The Freshman” about a decade later. Bergman, finishing his thoughts on “So Fine”: 

“The Movie was a bomb, but I must say that, to this day, some of the funniest things I’ve ever done were in that movie. Jack Warden’s performance was hysterical. The opera sequence. The whole ongoing thing between Warden and the buyers. For sheer, piss-in-the-pants funny, the movie has some of the best dialogue I’ve ever written.”

So Fine (1981)  
DVD 
$14.95

Warner Archives