Sailor Beware (1952)

Although allergic to kissing girls, Seaman Melvin Jones, through a fluke TV appearance, gets the undeserved reputation of a great kisser dubbed "Mr. Temptation" and is pursued by amorous young females.

Director:

Hal Walker

Writers:

James B. Allardice (screenplay) (as James Allardice), Martin Rackin (screenplay)

Stars:

Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Corinne Calvet

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Dean Martin	...	Al Crowthers
Jerry Lewis	...	Melvin Jones
Corinne Calvet	...	Corinne Calvet
Marion Marshall	...	Hilda Jones
Robert Strauss	...	CPO Lardoski
Leif Erickson	...	Cmdr. Lane
Don Wilson	...	Mr. Chubby
Vince Edwards	...	Blayden (as Vincent Edwards)
Skip Homeier	...	Mac
Dan Barton	...	'Bama
Mike Mahoney	...	Tiger
Mary Treen	...	Ginger

Storyline

Because of a misunderstanding Melvin Jones is inducted into the Navy despite his numerous allergies. When appearing on a TV show sponsored by a lipstick manufacturer, fluke circumstances cause him to be perceived as an irresistibly great kisser by viewers, and he is undeservedly hyped in the media as "Mr. Temptation." His shipmates bet their pay that he can get Corinne Calvet, a sexy French chanteuse, to kiss him. Despite his allergy toward kissing girls, he tries not to let them down even though it threatens his relationship with girlfriend Hilda.

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Plot Keywords:

dancing | slapstick comedy | tap dancing | navy | undeserved reputation | 

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Taglines:

Man the laugh-preservers ... lower the roar-boats ! Everybody's going overboard ... for Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was the fifth film collaboration of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, who would make 16 movies together before their partnership's end.

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Goofs

In the beginning of the movie, the Recruiting Officer addresses Chief Lardoski as "Petty Officer". A Chief Petty Officer is never addressed as "Petty Officer". The Recruiting Officer should have addressed him as "Chief Lardoski".

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Quotes

Melvin Jones: Lose something?
Naval Doctor: No, but I think you did. Where's your heart?
Melvin Jones: You're the doctor.

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Connections

Remake of The Fleet's In (1928)

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Soundtracks

MERCI BEAUCOUP
Lyrics by Mack David
Music by Jerry Livingston

User Reviews

Lots of real Navy scenery plus some laughs

This is not especially well written. The songs are not memorable. The cast, however, squeezes a lot out of this Martin and Lewis in the Navy situation. They both look great as young sailors. They are believable. The scenes on the submarine show how cramped it must have been on those underwater missions in the 1950s and before.

Lots of sailors in many scenes. Hundreds perhaps, in a big outdoor exercise field, and again in a boxing arena.

You will see James Dean in his scene. He does stand out even though he is an extra here. In a scene where Jerry walks across a busy street we see some of his "almost accident" comedy which he would bring into play years later in The Patsy.

Dean giving Jerry boxing instructions is a good comedy skit to watch for. Jerry in the boxing ring shows his high energy that was his trademark in the late '40s and early '50s. Dean and Jerry dancing is a bit of a treat. Not great, but better than most non dancing movies.

Worth seeing if you don't mind black and white. Good ending.

Tom Willett

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 February 1952 (USA)

Also Known As:

At Sea with the Navy

Filming Locations:

Naval Training Center, San Diego, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Wallis-Hazen

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1