First off, because this film has been in the public domain, virtually every version released on DVD has been lousy. Finally, Film Chest has done a good restoration. The opening credits seem a little shaky, but after that the print is very good. So, kudos to Film Chest.
This story began as a play, and it shows, and that's always been my complaint about the film. It just has that feel to it (for example, the first 30 minutes of the film is in two rooms in a military office). The production values here were moderate at best -- it was the first film to be produced by Martin & Lewis' own film company -- York Productions. Nevertheless, with the restoration, it's decent to watch.
One of the problems here is that the plot as thin as an anorexic. It's about 20 minutes into the film before any plot at all emerges. Meanwhile there are a few funny lines (along the caliber of "He used to be a soda jerk, but he ran outta soda").
About 30 minutes into the film, Dean Martin has his first song -- "Tonda Wanda Hoy", a clever romantic song with a Hawaiian theme. Polly Bergen, Dean's love interest, doesn't come into the film until 50 minutes in. She really was quite lovely. It's about this time when Dean and Polly duet on the best song of the picture -- "You And Your Beautiful Eyes"; it's a snappy song with a poor arrangement (better to listen to the Capitol recording).
As far as Jerry Lewis, he essentially plays the same character he played in every other Martin & Lewis picture.
In terms of other supporting actors, Mike Kellin is along (why did he become an actor?), as is band leader Dick Stabile who has a small supporting role.
Suffice it to say that this film is of interest mainly to Martin & Lewis fans (and I am a fan of Martin). At least we've now got a good restoration.
This story began as a play, and it shows, and that's always been my complaint about the film. It just has that feel to it (for example, the first 30 minutes of the film is in two rooms in a military office). The production values here were moderate at best -- it was the first film to be produced by Martin & Lewis' own film company -- York Productions. Nevertheless, with the restoration, it's decent to watch.
One of the problems here is that the plot as thin as an anorexic. It's about 20 minutes into the film before any plot at all emerges. Meanwhile there are a few funny lines (along the caliber of "He used to be a soda jerk, but he ran outta soda").
About 30 minutes into the film, Dean Martin has his first song -- "Tonda Wanda Hoy", a clever romantic song with a Hawaiian theme. Polly Bergen, Dean's love interest, doesn't come into the film until 50 minutes in. She really was quite lovely. It's about this time when Dean and Polly duet on the best song of the picture -- "You And Your Beautiful Eyes"; it's a snappy song with a poor arrangement (better to listen to the Capitol recording).
As far as Jerry Lewis, he essentially plays the same character he played in every other Martin & Lewis picture.
In terms of other supporting actors, Mike Kellin is along (why did he become an actor?), as is band leader Dick Stabile who has a small supporting role.
Suffice it to say that this film is of interest mainly to Martin & Lewis fans (and I am a fan of Martin). At least we've now got a good restoration.