THE CADDY
US, 1953, 95 minutes, Black and White.
Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Donna Reed, Barbara Bates, Fred Clark, Joseph Calleia, Clinton Sundberg, Marshall Thompson.
Directed by Norman Taurog.
The Caddy is pleasant and amusing routine early Martin and Lewis. It reflects something of their cabaret styles especially in their serious stage performances. Golfing professionals of the time, including Ben Hogan, make guest appearances. Norman Taurog was the director of many of their films and those of Lewis by himself.
1. Audience enjoyment of and expectations of a Martin and Lewis film? American style comedy?
2. This film within their career, black and white photography, songs (especially 'That's Amore'), dance? Comic routines, cabaret work? Why was the duo so popular in the 40s and 50s?
3. The success of the duo on the stage, the framework for the flashback plot of the film? The successful ending - for both? The contrast with so many of the film where Jerry Lewis is the imposed-upon poor man who loses out? As the poor little man here, but ultimately a winner?
4. Harvey's story: the golfing family, his knowledge and skills, his fears? His love for Lisa? The contrast with Joe and his family background, not wanting to be a fisherman and getting seasick, his work and return to San Francisco? The preparation for their work together?
5. Harvey and his work in the store, the comedy routines with the boss, the set piece of the demolition of the shop? The humour of his sleepwalking scene with Joe? Love and romantic scenes with Lisa? The pity for the small weak man?
6. The contrast with Dean Martin's Joe: type, successful?
7. The golfing background of the film and its entertainment, the use of the professionals in the film? The golf sequences? The jokes about golf, Harvey's interruptions during strokes etc.?
8. The background of snobbery with the golf clubs. the attitudes towards the caddy. money, reputations? House guests and the way they were treated? Harvey and his being put down - and the humorous routine of washing and going into the clubhouse? Joe and his succumbing to the world of snobbery?
9. Harvey as caddy, his helping of Joe and his advice? His being put out when Joe went to Cathy's house? His coming as a guest ~ and the comedy routines? His being hurt?
10. The background of the family problems, the restaurant and money, the winning of the money and its going back to charity, the taking over of the restaurant and the buying of the boat? Ultimate success? The picture of the family?
11. Cathy as heroine, her friendship with Joe, dances etc, her home, her mother? Her attitude towards Harvey? Jealousy? The arranging of the arrests?
12. The happy ending and the emphasis on success? The humour with the real Martin and Lewis arriving at the end?
13. The success of the comedy routines - Jerry Lewis' special kind of comedy and its appeal? Dean Martin as a foil to Lewis, comedy, songs?
