The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

A buoyant adaptation from James Thurber (who in turn offered Sam Goldwyn $10,000 to leave the book well alone), following the vibrant fantasy life of a timid publishing worker whose escape into daydream makes up for a humdrum existence, until, that is, genuine adventure falls into his lap in the shape of distressed heiress Virginia Mayo. It degenerates into slapstick at the end, but Danny Kaye makes pathological shyness seem charismatic.