The Sad Sack (1957)

Aside from a god-awful opening tune sung by Lewis (ugh!), "The Sad Sack" is an entertaining little film. Fresh from his breakup with long-time partner, Dean Martin, the studio instead gave him David Wayne AND Joe Mantell to fill the void. And considering that there isn't any of the usual singing, things worked out just fine. However, don't expect huge laughs from this one--just a pleasant little army comedy.Lewis naturally plays the Sad Sack--a soldier who can't seem to do anything right. However, a dopey female Major takes him under her wing and gets a couple soldiers (Wayne and Mantell) to buddy up with Lewis and help him through basic training. Eventually, the trio is sent to North Africa where they have a series of mildly interesting adventures.Like I said above, this is not a hilarious film but a nice little comedy. What I especially liked is that Lewis was far more likable and restrained than usual--without the excess mugging that sometimes ruined his later films. What you're left with is some nice acting, a decent script from this little time-passer. The only negative I noticed is that there are quite a few sexist remarks about the major--a product of the times in which it was made.

Just watched this, Jerry Lewis' second solo film after the breakup with Dean Martin, on YouTube. In this one, he plays the title character named Meredith C. Bixby, a Private. He's based on the cartoon character created by George Baker though I don't remember him having a name there. No matter. Anyway, Bixby is mainly the charge of Corporal Larry Dolan (David Wayne) and Pvt. Stan Wenaslawsky (Joe Mantell) as assigned by Sgt. Major Elmer Pulley (Gene Evans) and Maj. Shelton (Phyllis Kirk). As you can tell by the person's name playing the last part, she's a woman though obviously we're supposed to be surprised by that as is Dolan but he certainly doesn't waste time flirting with her! Obviously, his role was originally written with Dean in mind but since he broke up the team and was freelancing at other studios as well, it just wasn't going to be. I'll just say that there are some hilarious scenes for the first 30 or 45 minutes (especially when Jerry manages to defeat some bullies at a bar) and things are mostly moderately amusing after that but still, there's a feel good vibe throughout and when singer Liliane Montevecchi performs or Peter Lorre has to take orders from Lewis, the picture picks up considerably. Oh, and a player from some previous Martin & Lewis movies-Mary Treen, also from my favorite movie: It's a Wonderful Life-has a funny bit as Sgt. Hansen, who finds Jer and his two "friends" accidentally in the womens' barracks. So on that note, The Sad Sack is recommended.

The only memorable thing about this bland, tacky, cheap-looking comedy is Liliane Montevecchi. That this beautiful, spectacularly entertaining creature could have been intentionally included in this otherwise nastily drab picture is almost beyond belief. Peter Lorre is also brought in to jazz things up a bit, mostly to no avail, though thanks to his efforts one of his scenes with Jerry Lewis is very nearly funny.

I do believe the American critics simply prefer to dislike Jerry Lewis' comedy, rather than seeing it for what it really is. The French on the other hand laugh at what makes them laugh, without stopping to analyze weather or not they should. Maybe that is why Lewis is still so popular in France. If so, this film is a perfect example.It is impossible to watch this film (dated though it is) and not laugh at the comic genius of Lewis. The man has the keen ability to leap between pathos and comedy without showing any signs of effort, or evident seams between the two. Like it or not American critics, that's comedic genius.Try this film on for comedic size. You'll like it. And just sit back and laugh, don't analyze.