WHO’S MINDING THE STORE?

US, 1963, 90 minutes, Colour.
Jerry Lewis, Jill St John, John Mc Giver, Agnes Moorhead, Ray Walston.
Directed by Frank Tashlin.

One of several collaborations between writer-director Frank Tashlin and comic writer and director Jerry Lewis. Tashlin had a long career as a writer-director with such films an The Girl Can't Help It and Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? His later films were very flat comedies at the end of Bob Hope's screen career.

Jerry Lewis, after working with Dean Martin, branched out on his own and most of his films were directed by Norman Taurog, Tashlin and himself. This in once again the story of the little American man, imposed on by arrogant people and the system. But he wins out and wins the girl. It is the old Chaplin variation on the American
dream.

This is a much calmer entertainment than many other Jerry Lewis comedies. There are various humorous sequences and disaster jokes. There is very good support from Agnes Moorehead imitating the Bette Davis grand dame style and, as always, John Mc Giver in a bewildered and detached role. One of the more successful Jerry Levis comedies.

1. The basic appeal of Jerry Lewis and his personal style of comedy? The American little man? Jokes foolishness? The winning out of the little man and his being rewarded? The universal appeal of this kind of comic character and comedy film?

2. Colour photography, the editing especially for the pace of the jokes? The store setting and the wealthy homes? The special effects of advertising and jokes about department stores? The musical score?

3. Jerry Lewis's particular style, mannerisms? Their appeal? The supporting comedy - especially the varying styles of Agnes Moorehead, John Mc Giver, Ray Walston, Jill St John and her glamour? A satisfying combination for an American comedy?

4. The film's sending up of the basic plausibility of the plot: the young man in love with the girl, her secretly being the heiress but working in the lift, the machinations for the downfall of the man, his coming through despite all disasters, his becoming friendly with the boss, the comeuppance of the authoritarian lady? The happy ending? The basic plausibility and the film's screen play working against it for humour?

5. Jerry Lewis as Raymond - the introduction to him, his incompetence? Attractiveness of character, weaknesses? His propensity for disaster and the way these were illustrated right throughout the film? His love for Barbara but not knowing the truth about her? His genuine friendship with Mr Tuttle and the help with the golf? The persecution by Mr Quimby? The antagonism of Mrs Tuttle? The romantic sequences? The comedy? The audience being glad when he won out in the end?

6. Barbara as the hidden heroine? Her work in the lift, her discussions with her mother and father? Mr Quimby? Her devotion to Raymond and not giving him up? The thwarting of the plot against her? The happy ending?

7. Mrs Tuttle an the dragon lady? The cruelty of her machinations, in league with Mr Quimby? The comedy of her comeuppance? The contrast with Mr Tuttle and his playing golf, being relegated to the background, being a nice man and being friendly with Raymond? The satire in the screen play on the wealthy American families and the dominant women?

8. Mr Quimby as the yes-man with a certain amount of sadistic pleasure in arranging Raymond's disasters? The humour of his always being thwarted?

9. The picture of people working in the store, the customers put through their paces for Jerry Lewis's comedy?

10. The special effects and the humour of so many of Raymond's attempts to be helpful? The humour of disaster in department stores a la Marx Brothers in The Big Store? The perennial appeal of this kind of humour?

11. An appealing comedy? The picture of the little man? A caricature and character sketch? The comic book style ? but its appeal for the average audience?