The Sad Sack (1957)

Private Meredith Bixby is so out of step in the Army that his six weeks of planned basic training has now stretched to 17 months. After he loses a tank, WAC Major Shelton, a psychologist, ... See full summary »

Director:

George Marshall

Writers:

Edmund Beloin (screenplay), Nate Monaster (screenplay),

Stars:

Jerry Lewis, David Wayne, Phyllis Kirk

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jerry Lewis	...	Private Meredith C. Bixby
David Wayne	...	Corporal Larry Dolan
Phyllis Kirk	...	Maj. Shelton
Peter Lorre	...	Abdul
Joe Mantell	...	Pvt. Stan Wenaslawsky
Gene Evans	...	Sgt. Major Elmer Pulley
George Dolenz	...	Ali Mustapha
Liliane Montevecchi	...	Zita
Shepperd Strudwick	...	Major General Vanderlip
Abraham Sofaer	...	Hassim
Mary Treen	...	Sgt. Hansen
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Kenneth Becker	...	Corporal (as Ken Becker)

Storyline

Private Meredith Bixby is so out of step in the Army that his six weeks of planned basic training has now stretched to 17 months. After he loses a tank, WAC Major Shelton, a psychologist, is assigned to make a good soldier out of him. She requests Corporal Dolan and Private Stan Wensalawsky to help with the training. Dolan and Stan both have scores to settle with Bixby and their "guidance" leads to more mishaps. Sergeant Pulley has them shipped out to Morocco. On leave in North Africa, Bixy wanders alone into a bar, has a few Moroccan Delights, which he thinks are malted milks, and becomes convinced that exotic singer-dancer Zita is THE girl for him. To protect him, Dolan tells him some lies about Zita, and Bixby, in despair, joins the Suicide Division of the Foreign Legion. He is kidnapped by a band of Arabian plotters and, guarded by the knife-happy Abdul, is ordered to assemble a stolen American cannon. Zita learns of his plight and gets Dolan and Stan to join her in a rescue ...

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Plot Keywords:

foreign legion | egypt | based on comic

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Taglines:

His Funniest By Far !

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

27 November 1957 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der Regimentstrottel

Filming Locations:

Fort MacArthur, San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hal Wallis Productions, Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Loving You (1957)

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Soundtracks

"Why You Pay"
(uncredited
Written by F.E. Miller, Charles O'Curran and Dudley Brooks

User Reviews

Very under rated!

This is one of the most under rated films of all time!This film was very funny and was very entertaining and had the movie viewers concerned about the plot and the characters! It really delivered what the people expected from the Army comedy and then some!There was fun after hilarious fun and I do not understand why a lot of movie critcs do not see how well made the movie was.The only complaint I have about it is that it was done in black and white.But that is grasping for a negative right there.I hope people see this movie for what it is in the near future.A great classic comedy and to be rated as high as other classic comedies. It's pure enjoyment I tell you!