JUMPING JACKS
US, 1952, 96 minutes, Black and white.
Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Mona Freeman, Don De Fore, Robert Strauss.
Directed by Norman Taurog.
A routine Martin and Lewis comedy from the early fifties. They made many comedies with a Services background and show business sidelines. The material is conventional and directed by Norman Taurog, who directed a great number of their films.
1. How entertaining a comedy? A Martin and Lewis vehicle? their particular styles of singing, comedy, romance?
2. The impact of the team in the fifties, the response then, now? The atmosphere of the fifties with the paratroopers, military service, show business?
3. Chick as the Dean Martin hero, singing, romance, Hal as buddy?
4. Hal as a Jerry Lewis character? His initial ability in the song and dance routine at the opening, teamwork with Betty, helping Chick with Secret Service and generosity, his disguise and common routines? His mistakes and yet winning with his mistakes? Losing out on Betty? A typical little man role for Lewis?
5. The background of the paratroopers, the way of military lift, rules, the details of training? The sergeant and his conventional attitudes towards his troops? The commander and his laughing and supporting the show? The attention to detail of the way of training?
6. The humour of Hal always being good in the sergeant's eyes, for example combat training, on the train, falling and the parachuting?
7. Chick as the brains behind the plan, his using of Hal, his being blamed for being in the wrong and picking on Hal? Romantic hero?
8. The themes of American buddies? The background of the men in the paratrooping team, the real Dolan and the comedy routines concealing him, his discovery? The importance of the war games and Hal's heroism despite himself?
9. Betty and show business, the Broadway show, the phone calls, her fascination with Chick, their appearing on television and Hal's winning the door prize?
10. The patriotic ending?
11. The contribution of the songs, the comedy routines, Martin and Lewis as an American comedy team highlighting the tastes of the forties and fifties?
