Starring Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin, Pat Crowley, and Anita Ekberg
Directed by Frank Tashlin
Music by Sammy Fain; Lyrcis by Paul Francis Webster
Our next vacation takes us back to the US for a road trip with a later Paramount duo. By this point, Lewis and Martin were very tired of each other and of the scrips Paramount was handing them. They weren't even speaking to each other off-set. Despite their movies still being popular, this would be the last one they made together. Is it as much fun as some of their earlier films, or should it be abandoned on a country lane? Let's begin with Dean Martin declaring this movie is dedicated to "you, the movie fan" and some movie-watching around the world shtick with Lewis and find out...
The Story: Gambler Steve Wiley (Martin) is so desperate to get money to settle a debt, he fakes a ticket for a raffle at a movie theater to win a new car. The real winner is Malcolm Smith (Lewis), who wants the car to drive out to Hollywood and meet his crush Anita Elkberg (Herself). The theater manager (Willard Waterman) insists they both now own the car.
Steve eventually joins Malcolm and his Great Dane Mr. Bascomb on a road trip to Hollywood after claiming he's Anita Ekberg's neighbor. Between Steve trying to steal the car and them picking up chorus girl Terry (Pat Crowley) after they pretty much destroy her car, this ends up being a heck of a trip...and that's before they get to Hollywood and Malcolm learns the truth about the car's part-owner.
The Song and Dance: Jerry Lewis usually worked well with Frank Tashlin, and this movie is no exception. Tashlin directed cartoons in the 30's and 40's, and Lewis was something of a live-action cartoon anyway, so his style was right up Tashlin's alley. We do get some nifty gags here, including destroying Terry's rickety vehicle, chasing Mr. Bascomb over that hill, and the last 20 minutes in Hollywood. As appropriate for a story about and set in Hollywood, there's some wonderful countryside location photography and costumes. Speaking of the car, it's a gorgeous Chrysler New Yorker. No wonder Malcolm didn't want to sell it. It really is a beauty.
Favorite Number: We hear the title song three, during the opening credits with pretty girls representing Hollywood landmarks, when Malcolm sings it after they start on their journey (with the help of Mr. Bascomb) and in the finale. Malcolm, Mr. Bascomb, and Steve delight in "A Day In the Country" as they pass by green fields and lovely waterfalls. Steve insists "Let's Be Friendly" to Terry when they're camping outside after they encounter her on the road. "The Wild and Wooly West" turns up twice as they describe the delights of the western states they pass through. "It Looks Like Love" is Terry and Steve's big duet in the finale, when Terry's recording in Hollywood and Steve stumbles onto her.
What I Don't Like: Sometimes, this gets too weird for its own good. No wonder the guys weren't happy, especially Martin. He's basically a jerk in this, using Malcolm and everyone else until he finally sees the light after they arrive in Hollywood. Not to mention, even his crooning takes a back seat to Martin's antics (pardon the car pun). Lewis more often than not comes off as annoying rather than well-meaning, and his obsession with Ekberg is more creepy than sweet. The dog is more charming and has more to do than either of them. There's also some dated gags, including Lewis' Asian stereotypes in the "movie lovers around the world" opening prologue and a few Native American stereotypes.
The Big Finale: Not their best movie, but there's enough good gags here for this to be a decent way to end their partnership.
Home Media: Only on DVD in the US as part of a Lewis and Martin set that's currently available from the Warner Archives. Your best bet would probably be to stream this one. It's free with commercials at Pluto TV.
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