MY FRIEND IRMA

US, 1949, 103 minutes, Black and white.
Marie Wilson, Diana Lynn, John Lund, Don Defore, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Hans Conreid.
Directed by George Marshall.

A routine domestic American comedy of the late forties. It was based on a popular radio series by Cy Howard who wrote the present film. Diana Lynn is a charming heroine as the 'My' of the title. Marie Wilson does her dumb blonde routine entertainingly as Irma.

However, the film was noted for its introducing Dean Martin and Jerry Levis. They are in this film as they are in all their succeeding films. Dean Martinis the pleasant singing hero, Jerry Lewis, the rather zany (for some very childish) little man comedian. The film is an indicator of the popular entertainment of the time and of interest for those who admire Jerry Lewis especially as a comedian and are interested in Dean Martin's career. There was a sequel, My Friend Irma Goes West.

1. An entertaining comedy? Romance?

2. The conventions of American light comedy? Romance? Girls living in apartments and looking for husbands, the sensible girl, the humorous brainless girl, the blonde? The rich businessman, the out of work con-man, the romantic hero, the humorous sidekick? How well embodied wore these conventional characters? Well portrayed? Situation comedy?

3. The film-making styles of the forties? New York? The atmosphere of the city? Work, homes, night clubs, cafe& etc.?

4. The plausibility of the plot? Sufficient for the purposes of the conventions? Contrived, humorous and farcical situations?

5. Jane as the heroine? Her narrative at beginning and end? Credible and attractive? Her apartment and her view of Irma? Her seeking the job with Richard? Her dislike for Al? The encounter with Stove when she was planning a rich marriage? Her fascination with him, her determination to marry Richard? How well was this illustrated in her interviews, outings, dancing, listening to Stove singing etc.? The encounter with Richard's mother? Her decisions? The happy ending?

6. The contrast with Irma? Attractive, falling down man-holes, her mix-ups with words, her devotion to Al? The type of broad American humour that she represented? Her getting involved with Al? Her interfering in people's lives without intending to, her final hurt? her decision to kill herself and the humour of the note? The radio programme and all being well?

7. The portrait of the men in the film? Steve as the partner, taken in by Al, singing ability, charm, success? The contrast with Richard an the typical rich and spoilt executive? A1 and the Damon Runyon type con-man? Seymour and Jerry Lewis's style of comedy? The humorous presentation? Conventional presentation?

8. The quality of the humour? American, of the forties. the radio programme basis, the use of wisecracks, farcical situations, coincidences? How enjoyable were these?

9. Dean Martin and Jerry Levis and their working together, night club styles of singing and patter, Jerry Lewis's style with voice, faces, impersonations? How well did they blend together? Was a successful career indicated by this film?

10. The minor characters - landlady, Richard's mother, the professor and his music-playing, the owners of the night clubs etc.?

11. How dated does this kind of comedy seem? How perennial? Why is the basic material generally entertaining? Insight into the basics of human nature?