The Maltese Bippy

Director: Norman Panama Norman Panama

Overview

In this spoof, comedians Dan Rowan and Dick Martin team up, with Rowan playing a pornographic film producer and Martin as his star who seriously suspects that he has become a werewolf. To verify this, the two travel to a "haunted" Long Island mansion and search for a missing diamond.

Product Details

Release Date:	05/19/2015
UPC:	0888574144722
Original Release:	1969
Rating:	G
Source:	Warner Archives
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Language:	English
Time:	1:31:00
Sales rank:	37,270

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Dan Rowan	Sam Smith
Dick Martin	Ernest Grey
Julie Newmar	Carlotta Ravenswood
Carol Lynley	Robin Sherwood
Mildred Natwick	Molly Fletcher
Fritz Weaver	Mr. Ravenswood
Robert Reed	Lt. Tim Crane
David Hurst	Dr. Charles Strauss
Dana Elcar	Sgt. Kelvaney
Leon Askin	Axel Kronstadt
Alan Oppenheimer	Adolph Springer
Eddra Gale	Helga
Arthur Batanides	Tony
Pamela Rodgers	Saundra
Jennifer Bishop	Joanna Clay
Maudie Prickett	Mrs. Potter
Garry Walberg	Harold Fenster
Carol-Jean Thompson	Mona
Jerry Mann	Wesling
Charles Strauss	Actor
Mike Kellin	Actor

Technical Credits

Robert Enders	Producer
Everett Freeman	Producer
Norman Panama	Director

Editorial Reviews

Even when it was released, The Maltese Bippy was a chore to sit through, but at least in 1969 one could go to the theatre carrying some good will for Laugh-In, the "with it" comedy series that Dan Rowan and Dick Martin had pioneered. But that show is long gone now, and even its biggest fans must now admit that whatever "it" was "with" back then, Laugh In wasn't really as hip and funny as we all thought. And without that slim sliver of good will, Bippy is actually painful. It's essentially an old Abbott and Costello film, updated to the 1960s, given a layer of irony and cynicism, but with absolutely no wit added and with none of the fun (however silly and predictable) that Bud and Lou could bring to the proceedings. The screenplay is simply dreadful, Rowan dislikable and Martin actively irritating. Jokes land with resounding thuds and the direction is sloppy -- quite possibly by intent, but that intent does not make it any more bearable. Carol Lynley and Julie Newmar add some eye appeal, and there are game attempts from talents such as Mildred Natwick and Fritz Weaver, but Bippy is best left alone.