The Stooge [Blu-ray]

Director: Norman Taurog Norman Taurog

Overview

Filmed right after 1951's At War with the Army, the Dean Martin-Jerry Lewis vehicle The Stooge was shelved until late 1952 to make way for another military farce, Jumping Jacks. When Stooge finally hit the screens Martin and Lewis fans were surprised by its dramatic content and the subdued performances of its stars. Martin plays an obnoxious vaudeville singer named Bill Martin, who gets nowhere professionally until he is accidentally teamed with goofy would-be comic Ted Rogers (Lewis). Bill and Ted climb to the top of the showbiz heap with a riotous act wherein Bill's onstage singing is interrupted by Ted's heckling from the audience (not unlike Martin and Lewis' genuine nightclub act). As his fame grows, so does Bill's ego, and eventually he ditches Ted to strike out on his own. Without his partner, however, Bill is a failure, so it's up to faithful Ted to save the day and patch up the friendship. The "femme angle" (to use Variety's phrase) is handled by Marion Marshall as Frecklehead Tait and Polly Bergen as Mary Turner. It's worth noting that The Stooge was Jerry Lewis' favorite Martin and Lewis comedy.

Product Details

Release Date:	11/10/2020
UPC:	0032429350077
Original Release:	1951
Rating:	NR
Source:	ALLIED VAUGHN
Language:	English
Time:	1:39:00
Sales rank:	33,305

Special Features

1080p High Definition

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Dean Martin	Bill Miller
Jerry Lewis	Theodore 'Ted' Rogers
Polly Bergen	Mary
Marion Marshall	Frecklehead
Eddie Mayehoff	Leo
Richard Erdman	Ben
Frances Bevier	Mrs. Rogers
Frances Bavier	Mrs. Rogers

Technical Credits

Fred Finklehoffe

Martin Rackin

Elwood Ullman

Norman Taurog	Director
Gordon Jennings	Special Effects
Hal B. Wallis	Producer,Executive Producer
Fred Finklehoffe	Screenwriter
Martin Rackin	Screenwriter
Elwood Ullman	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

The Stooge is an oddity in the canon of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis films in that it lacks the over-the-top freneticism that is usually associated with them (and with Lewis as a solo performer). It's also an oddity in that, intentionally or not, it seems to cut close to the bone in terms of the pair's real life relationship. And, finally, it's a drama with comic bits rather than a real comedy. It would be nice to report that this change-of-pace outing was a breath of fresh air, but while it's a pleasure to have Lewis more controlled than usual, it also must be admitted that Stooge is overall a pretty dull affair. The restrained comedy doesn't feel comfortable, and the drama is handled obviously and far too heavily. The stickiness of the climactic reunion is simply too much, and the story is too one-sided, too geared to Lewis' character. Rather than creating complex, believable characters, we're given dramatic stereotypes, and they just don't hold the screen. Martin and Lewis do well enough; they just don't have much to work with. Martin is in good voice, however, as is his paramour Polly Bergen.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler