The Great Adventure [1955]

1. A turkey roasting on an electric rotisserie.
2. A Scottish Canadian and an Australian do the Highland Fling.
3. “I just got a wild idea.” He looks around, as if for an eavesdropper.

This 30-minute film, produced by Rotary International in 1955 to celebrate their 50th anniversary, is surely one of the most obscure roles in the filmography of Jim Backus. He plays a guy who owns a music store “down on Main Street” who happens to drop by a backyard gathering, whereupon he learns what Rotary is all about. Interestingly, despite being known primarily as a comedic actor, here he plays a straight role–just like he does in Rebel Without a Cause, also from 1955.

Edward Arnold and Lyle Talbot (!) also have roles in The Great Adventure. Director Schuster directed hundreds of episodes for various TV shows, including Twilight Zone.