Watch The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty from 1947 is a delightful and whimsical comedy, starring the multifaceted Danny Kaye as Mitty, a mild-mannered daydreamer who escapes his mundane everyday life by retreating into elaborate fantasies in which he is the hero, capable of wild feats of daring and bravery. However, the film also has a touching underlying message about the importance of taking action, facing one's fears and embracing real life, no matter how scary or difficult it may seem.

The film opens with Mitty working as a negative assets manager in the photo department of a publishing company. He is constantly berated by his boss, Bruce Pierce (played by the legendary Boris Karloff), and his co-worker Gertrude Griswold (played by the stunning Virginia Mayo) treats him with contempt. However, this all changes when Mitty falls in love with a coworker named Rosalind van Horn (played by Fay Bainter), who is about to retire. When Mitty decides to buy Rosalind a going-away present, a "Victorian styled wallet with her initials on it," he gets caught up in a series of miscommunications and wild fantasies that take him on an unexpected adventure.

Throughout the movie, we see Mitty's inner life play out in colorful, surreal dream sequences that include everything from medieval knights to exotic landscapes to daring escapes from danger. His imagination is fueled by the romantic books he reads and the picturesque photos that he develops as part of his job, seamlessly blending dreamworld with reality. He imagines himself as a hero, facing impossible odds and saving lives, while in the mundane world he is just another office drone.

As the film progresses, Mitty's fantasies begin to take on a more serious note and start to blend with his life in a haunting way. He finds himself drawing inspiration from his wild imaginings to confront his very real problems and obstacles, from standing up to his unkind coworkers to traveling to remote locations to find a missing photograph. In the end, Mitty learns an important lesson about the power of creativity, imagination, and taking action. He discovers that the everyday world he lives in can be just as exciting and fulfilling as his wildest dreams, and that he has the potential to be a hero in his own life.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty was directed by Norman Z. McLeod, and it is a true masterpiece of classic Hollywood filmmaking. The performances are top-notch, with Danny Kaye's charming and quick-witted humor stealing the show. His chemistry with Mayo is delightful, and their onscreen banter adds a playful and romantic energy to the film. Boris Karloff is absolutely menacing as Mitty's overbearing boss, providing a perfect balance of comedy and drama. The film's score, composed by the legendary Miklós Rózsa, is also exquisite, providing a thrilling backdrop for the action and a hauntingly beautiful melody for Mitty's quieter moments.

Ultimately, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a timeless classic, a movie that has charmed audiences for decades with its blend of humor, romance, and whimsical fantasy. It is a reminder that the power of the human imagination is vast and limitless, and that within each of us lies the potential to be a hero, if only we are willing to take that first step towards adventure. Whether you're a fan of classic Hollywood cinema, or just looking for a heartwarming and uplifting film, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a must-see.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a 1947 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 51 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.