The Great Rupert is a 1950 comedy family film starring Jimmy Durante, Tom Drake and Terry Moore, produced by George Pal and directed by Irving Pichel.

[1] The story revolves around a little animated squirrel who, with much charm, accidentally helps two economically distressed families overcome their obstacles.

Joe Mahoney, a vaudeville performer who has fallen on hard times, has to leave his best friend and stage companion Rupert, a dancing squirrel, in the town.

While the IRS agent and police officers wait for the miracle money to appear, Rupert catches a lit cigarette and stores it in his drey where it starts a fire that engulfs the Dingle home.

Outside, during the ensuing blaze, the Amendolas are told by an inconsolable Frank about the hidden (presumed burned) cash and promise to help him rebuild the house.

In 1949, producer George Pal, who had formerly overseen animated shorts, convinced the independent Eagle-Lion Films to co-finance a two-picture deal with him.