As a kid, I saw the first big screen appearance of "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" host. I waited more than 40 years for a theatrical follow-up that never came (excepting a brief, uncredited cameo in Bob Hope's 1972 swan song, "Cancel My Reservation.") Carson was in movies via archival TV clips -- "Goodbye, Columbus" (1969) and "Pink Cadillac" (1989) jump to mind. As an actor, however, there is only one performance of any length, and that being a few minutes as joker Johnny Carson.
Although MGM sprinkled this lightweight musical comedy with guest stars (George Hamilton, Yvette Mimieux, Danny Thomas, Paula Prentiss), what results is a
faux Elvis Presley flick with a chick instead. Connie Francis, America's top pop queen of the day, finds herself coaxed by Carson to sing on "The Tonight Show." It's a Cinderella-like moment, but not for Johnny. He looks uncomfortable, makes a few quips, and, as I recall, smokes cigarettes. Connie gains a heady showbiz career and Jim Hutton.