THAT'S MY BOY

US, 1951, 98 minutes, Black and white.
Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Eddie Mayehoff, Ruth Hussey, Polly Bergen, John Mc Intire.
Directed by Hal Walker.

That's My Boy is one of the earliest of the Martin and Lewis comedies. After their nightclub act and their cinema debut in My Friend Irma, they made a great number of films in the early '50s before going on their separate ways and successful careers. This film is somewhat more serious in theme that many of their others - with the exception of The Stooge. The blend of serious themes about growing up, high expectation fathers blends with Jerry Lewis' comedy routines and Dean Martin's songs. The film also introduced Eddie Mayehoff, who appeared in only a few films with characteristic comedy style. The film is interesting as a different approach to Martin and Lewis comedies.

1. The popularity of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis in the '50s? Nightclub routines - fall guy, slapstick and farce, verbal humour, suave songs? An entertainment blend? Their transfer to the screen? This film as typical or not?

2. Jerry Lewis in a more serious style role? Avoiding his mugging style? Development of character? Point to his character? He even wins! Reality, dreams? Romance?

3. Dean Martin and his smooth style, his early songs, hero in helping Jerry Lewis?

4. The opening and the focus on Jarring Jackson: shower, the exercises, breakfast, his den, ambitions for Junior, memories of his college and college days, money, the discussion about psychosomatic illness? The pressures on Junior and the discussions with him? The patience of his wife? The build-up to graduation and his envy of Bill Baker? The deal with him and the coach? The matches and his presence and humiliation? The psychiatrist and the discussion about hunting and Junior going hunting with him? The final game and his leaving Junior alone? The final walk together and discussion? The point being made through comedy about fathers, career, expectations, making their sons like them, sons' reactions, psychosomatic illness?

5. Junior's pleasant mother - care for her son? Eventually trying to control him as his father did?

6. Junior and the caricature of the pampered young man? His relationship with his father and fear of him, pills, dancing, Babs and wanting to drive her home, going to college and rooming with Bill and their mishaps e.g. the closing of the window etc.? Falling in love with Terri? The failure of the matches? The coaching? The training and his insight? Waiting for the games and final success? The points made in the character of Junior? Jerry Lewis' style subordinated to the character?

7. Bill as hero, his vanity, the dance, looking down on Junior, going to the college? The deal with Jarring Jackson? The rooming? Courting Terri? Pleasant? Drunk sequence? Standing back for Junior?

8. Terri as attractive heroine? Her concern about the truth? Helping Junior? Working with Bill for his training? Happy ending?

9. Babs and her glamour, her behaviour at the dance, the drive home? The final puckering of her lips - and being put down by Junior?

10. Background themes of American football, college scholarships, coaches, pressures? American heroes, American dreams?

11. The psychologist and his explanation of psychosomatic illness? Pressures from parents? Discussion about the hunting - and the hunting trip?

12. Themes of growth, freedom? Serious undertones to a Martin and Lewis comedy?