the great ruppert ( rename the christmas promise ) be make in the late 1940s . it be one of the few movie that jimmy durante ever appear in where he be the main star ( his work with buster keaton be a a comedy team while some late musical like jumbo give him leading part and but not the star role ) . durante and queenie smith be the amendolas . they rent an apartment from frank orth ( mr. dingle ) and a tightwad who hoard his money in the wall of his bedroom . the plot be how a talented dancing squirrel name rupert ( the squirrel and who like cigarette too and be the creation of george pal and be very cute ) . rupert master and jimmy conlin ( best recall from the preston sturgis movie ) have release the squirrel for a few week until they get rehired by the circus . rupert find a hole in the wall between the amendolas apartment and dingle bedroom . once a week orth put $ 1 and 500 . 00 into the hole ( from a check from his gold mine stock ) . the squirrel drop it on durante and his wife . orth have refuse to assist anyone of his neighbor and but he be a harsh landlord . durante use the money to help the neighborhood business thrive . the story take place around christmas ( so it be be show right now ) and have some trace of scrooge in orth skinflint ( except he be married and have a son ) . but it have a pleasant and goofy sweetness due to durante and rupert . when a fire break out at one point and for instance and durante remind the family to save the radio or they will miss the jimmy durante show . while perhaps a trifle date and it be amuse and worth watch at this holiday season .