Customer Reviews

Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis Collection - Vol. 1 (The Caddy / Jumping Jacks / The Stooge/My Friend Irma / My Friend Irma Goes West / Sailor Beware / Scared Stiff / That's My Boy)

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have waited years upon years for them to put "That's My Boy" out on either DVD or VHS...and here it is! This is a great collection! Jumping Jacks, The Caddy, The Stooge, That's My Boy and a whole lot more. These are CLASSIC Martin and Lewis films and probably their best! That's My Boy is about a sniveling weakling (Lewis), born to a father who was All American...Mr Jock if you will. Dean Martin on the other hand is Mr All American, and he has a father who is a sniveling weakling. Well, Jerry's father wants to make a football pro out of Jerry and asks Dean to help him along. Lots of fun in this movie. Jerry playing football and even at practice is absolutly Hilarious. The hunting scene, where Jerry and his dad go to do some really manly things is a riot. A really great flick. Looking forward to the release.

Many, many fans (myself included, of course) have been awaiting the day that Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis would get their due in an official movie DVD collection...that day has finally arrived!
All the early films are here (with only "At War With The Army" curiously missing from the line-up). It's interesting to see Dean & Jerry's movie debut in "My Friend Irma"---Dean makes an impressive showing as smooth as his singing, while Jerry looks as if he's barely graduating from high school! The film was a big hit, which was naturally followed up with a sequel, "My Friend Irma Goes West". This time around, the boys' characters were integrated firmly in the plot, gravitating toward equal billing with the cast. From that moment on, there was no stopping them.
The 2 "service" comedies here, "Sailor Beware" & "Jumping Jacks", are the most enjoyable outings of their kind since Abbott & Costello did their part for WWII a decade earlier.
My favorites? "That's My Boy", an early 1951 effort, has a good story with Jerry as the frail son of an old college sports hero (a blustery Eddie Mayhoff in a hilarious supporting role), who tries to make good with the help of current BMOC (Dean). "Sailor Beware" is gag-packed Navy fun from start to finish. "The Stooge" is a semi-autobiographical tale combining laughs and poignancy; it also proved that the boys could handle dramatic elements in their storylines as well. "Scared Stiff" goes for atmospheric chills & chuckles at a creepy Cuban estate. It even borrows elements from Bob Hope's "The Ghost Breakers" comedy (dead bodies, a creepy mansion, zombies)---even both Hope & Bing Crosby make cameos at the end of the film. Finally, "The Caddy" is one of their best, a bright, snappy comedy which starts off on the right foot with the boys performing on stage.
It's about time Paramount acknowledged these boys' contribution to entertainment. Can't wait for Volume 2!

Paramount Pictures has wisely released the first half of the Martin and Lewis collection. This box set features some of their most memorable movies together. "The Caddy" is a fun romp that features Dean's timeless "That's Amore". "Jumping Jacks" and "Sailor Beware" are fun service pictures of which the world rarely sees today (services films that is, not these wonderful classics). The best is "That's My Boy" an amazing comedy drama.

This, with the solo Jerry Lewis compilation from Paramount are must-haves. Must haves also include all of the Martin and Lewis pictures, and solo films, not yet on DVD, so let's hope they keep'em coming!

I am a HUGE M&L fan and collector and was disappointed when this was pushed back originally BUT HALLOWEEN was sweeter with this piece of eye candy this year! Love the HIRSCHFELD art on the packaging and like that PARAMOUNT used the original logos and movie poster/lobby card art on the inside! Can't wait for set 2! My only minor complaint is that they did not include all of the trailers and did not do a Documentary...maybe they can remedy that with set 2. I like it! I like it!

The Martin & Lewis Collection, Vol. 1 concentrates on the early part of their career. Some of these are uneven at best, Martin & Lewis were still trying to figure what translated well to the screen, this included the writers too. When it comes to Jerry Lewis you love him or you hate him. Personally, I liked him more when I was younger, his antics & mugging are a little harder to take as an adult.

You can see their progression as actors as the set moves into their career. By the time you get to the last film of this set they have improved immensely, becoming actors, even.

My Friend Irma***
This is a loose translation of a radio program in which Martin & lewis were inserted. Certainly, they aren't the stars but they make an incredible impact in their debut. In this one Martin is trying to become a nightclub singer (really?) & is managed by Irma's boyfriend. Lewis is an inept employee of an orange juice establishment. It's pretty thin stuff. Lewis dominates the scenes with his over-the-top antics. Martin is more than adequate as an actor.

My Friend Irma Goes West***
By the time this sequel was made Martin & Lewis were the stars & the whole original premise of the radio show becomes secondary or is scrapped. It is interesting to see Las Vegas so young in its life yet to have all of its bright lights. Martin is going west assuming he has been awarded a movie contract & the other characters are along for the Lewis rollercoaster. Even with only his second film Lewis is already polarizing the audience: They think he's the biggest fool or the gretest comedian ever.

Sailor Beware***
This was the team's first true starring vehicle. It's somewhat of an improvement but by now the Martin & Lewis characters are set. Martin is the smooth ladies' man & crooner, Lewis is inept, shy, sickly & sometimes allergic to women. Corinne Calvet makes an appearance as an ice queen that no man can get at. Highlight of the film is Lewis preparing for his boxing match. The routine in the locker room is hilarious as is the scene when they get in the ring. Truly classic.

That's My Boy**
There's so little that's believable in this film it's a near waste of time. Eddie Mayehoff ii his screen debut is nothing short of a ham. His character is nothing more than a caricature. Martin & Lewis are unbelievable as high school graduates about to enter college, none of it rings true. Once again Lewis walks off with the highlights as he becomes the hero by winning a football game.

Jumping Jacks****
By this time Martin & Lewis are becoming actors. The service comedy routine had already gone well twice with the team so a third one was done. Martin & Lewis have become paratroopers which is a great setup for Lewis: How much funnier can it get when a man can't even fold his own parachute when his life is at stake?

The Stooge****
This film actually gives the team a script where they prove their acting mettle. Martin wants to make it on his own as a singer but he's too vanilla without a comedic partner. He ditches one to go to solo but he bombs. He's then teamed up with Lewis & they become a sensation. Martin doesn't want to give Lewis credit in the team or their success nor does he believe Lewis is the reason he's successful. The Stooge allows the team to be more themselves & has some quality moments.

Scared Stiff***
This film is a remake of Bob Hope's The Ghostbreakers. It's not just a remake, it's almost the same film. The only difference is the Martin & Lewis parts are, essentially, the Bob Hope character split into two parts. It's a good vehicle for the team.

The Caddy****
This film along with Jumping Jacks are the highlights of this set. Lewis is the son of a golfing great & has great potential himself except he can't play in front of people. Martin is the son of a fisherman but gets seasick. Lewis is engaged to Martin's sister though Martin & Lewis haven't met one another yet. Lewis is, of course, inept as a department store employee & has a scene where he wreaks havoc in the store. Then Lewis gets the idea of starting a golf instruction school. Martin becomes his protegee & they have immediate success. Golf greats have cameos in the film. This role for Lewis is actually the most mature of his roles in this set. This is also the film that Features the song "That's Amore".

This set has good value & is great for Lewis fans.

PART 1 (OCT '06) of review:Just seen the "Sailor Beware" title. Not billed is Betty Hutton; Ben Gazarra{Doctor Casey}; and during the boxing scene.... JAMES DEAN! Cannot wait to see who pops up NEXT!
PART 2 (NOV '06)-- I'm back for an update: Just saw "Jumping Jacks." Haven't seen it since my pre-military days, as a youth. Had FORGOTTEN one of the characters' name[Sergeant McCluskey] is the same as mine. Jerry Lewis really IS amazing. As a RETIRED Tank Platoon Sergeant, let me tell you that ==> I <== would NEVER run around, near, in front, nor behind a 60+-ton tank. Jerry Did. And while I WAS grimacing at the DANGER of being injured-- a friend was crushed between the frontal slopes of two crashing tanks[cut him in-half!], the fact that JERRY did all his own STUNT work made me MORE of a FAN!
"The Stooge"-- great parallels with the REAL team is available HERE-- and on the M & L Collection as well!

SFC McCluskey,USA,Retired

P.S.: Uncle Sam wants YOU to buy THIS DVD-Set!

Fans have been waiting since Jerry gave the word in 2006 that this set would make it out in 2007, and happily here it is. Here are eight of the sixteen Martin/ Lewis films. Obviously there will be a volume two to pick up the other eight. If you have the Jerry Lewis Legendary Collection, the only repeat is The Stooge. This set is nicely presented, with two films each on four one- sided discs in a presentation album decorated with marquee posters for each film, which slides into an attractive slipcase. As I write, the Amazon information is slightly wrong. Money from Home is not included in Volume One, but The Stooge is included. All eight films are black and white, although the album shows scenes from the films in color.

Why did it take so long for these films to make it to DVD? Who knows? But here they are, and well worth the wait. Contents include: My Friend Irma (1949), My Friend Irma Goes West (1950), That's My Boy ( 1951), Sailor Beware ( 1952), Jumping Jacks (1952), The Stooge (1953), Scared Stiff (1953), and The Caddy (1953).

A must have for Martin & Lewis fans. Finally Paramount is releasing the movies that made these two wonderful men a household item. I can hardly wait for the 2nd set to have all of the Martin & Lewis collection. As a Dean Martin extremist, and a Jerry Lewis fan this is a great day for me.

Come on Paramount - let's get the 2nd set of 8 movies out!

Great buy!

MY mom and I recently bought the "Legendary Jerry" collection...I didn't think I would love his movies so much!! However, I did enjoy 'The Stooge' more than any other movie. Ever since, my mom and I have been looking for the Martin and Lewis collections forever!!! We've only gotten lucky three times with 'At War With the Army' and 'My Friend Irma/My Friend Irma goes West' and now FINALLY!!!! There are more on DVD!!!! I just pre-ordered it! I cannot wait to get it!!!!

If you are a big fan of the Dean and Jerry duo (or are French), this is the set for you. In the first two, the "Irma" series, Dean and Jerry are almost peripheral characters, as it should be with cautious Hollywood producers. These guys might be a big hit in the nightclub circuit....but how will they play on the big screen? Well, we all know the answer to that.

Personally, my favorite of the bunch is "Sailor Beware". They were really in their stride at this point. Probably my favorite scene is Jerry, disguising himself as a Hawaiian dancer (really bad wig makes it doubly funny)tries to perform a sword dance...disastrous & hilarious. Yeah, as everyone notes, you can see James Dean as an extra in a couple of the scenes. And for those of you with long memories, look for Vince Edwards (Ben Casey).

Another favorite, and the reason I bought the set was "Scared Stiff" a remake of Bob Hope's "Ghostbreakers" which was basically made to cash in on the Bob Hope/Paulette Goddard "Cat and the Canary". It has always been a Halloween tradition of mine to watch "Scared Stiff". It is nice to have such a pristine copy, instead of my battered VHS copy taped 20 years ago. Some little things to look for. Note Norman Lear's name in the writer credits. Frank Fontaine doing that "Crazy Guggenheim" schtick for you "Jackie Gleason Show" fans. And for you Monkee's fans, Mickey Dolenz's father, George Dolenz, plays Mr. Cortega. And no, James Dean, wasn't in this one.