Jack and the Beanstalk (1952)

Abbott & Costello's version of the famous fairy tale, about a young boy who trades the family cow for magic beans.

Director:

Jean Yarbrough

Writers:

Nathaniel Curtis (screenplay) (as Nat Curtis), Pat Costello (story)

Stars:

Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Dorothy Ford

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Bud Abbott	...	Mr. Dinkel / Mr. Dinkelpuss (as Abbott)
Lou Costello	...	Jack / Jack Strong (as Costello)
Dorothy Ford	...	Receptionist / Polly
Buddy Baer	...	Sgt. Riley / The Giant
Barbara Brown	...	Mrs. Strong
David Stollery	...	Donald Larkin
William Farnum	...	The King
Arthur Shields	...	Patrick the Harp (voice)
Shaye Cogan	...	Eloise Larkin / Princess Eloise / Darlene
James Alexander	...	Arthur / Prince Arthur
Johnny Conrad	...	Dancer

Storyline

Abbott & Costello's version of the famous fairy tale, about a young boy who trades the family cow for magic beans.

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Plot Keywords:

song | singer | singing | dancer | dancing | 

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Taglines:

BUD and LOU in GIANTLAND! (original print ad - mostly caps)

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 April 1952 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jack y la habichuela gigante

Filming Locations:

Hal Roach Studios - 8822 Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$683,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Exclusive Productions Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

70 min 78 min (TCM print) 82 min (restored)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White (Sepiatone) Color (Supercinecolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Early in the movie, when Jack (Lou Costello) first meets the employment agency's receptionist (Dorothy Ford), he tells her: "I like girls like you, eyes of blue and five feet two". This is a reference to the refrain of the 1920's popular song, "Has Anybody Seen My Gal?" It's only after she rises from her chair that he realizes his misconception; he is dwarfed by Dorothy Ford's 6' 2'' (1.88 m) full height.

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Goofs

In the scene where Jack mistakes the Giant's shadow for his own, the shadow is directly in front of him. When the camera angle shifts to a side view of Jack and the Giant, their shadows are off to their right sides and cast much smaller.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Donald: Come in. Oh it's you. I'm sorry Arthur, I thought it was the babysitter.
Arthur: Just what do you have against babysitters?

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Crazy Credits

Instead of the usual "The characters and events depicted are fictitious, etc." disclaimer, are these four simple words, "This is a fable".

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Connections

Version of Mork & Mindy/Laverne & Shirley/Fonz Hour: Laverne and Shirley and the Beanstalk (1982)

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Soundtracks

Darlene
Written by Lester Lee and Bob Russell
Sung by James Alexander to Shaye Cogan

User Reviews

A wonderful comic vehicle.

Abbott and Costello's talents shine in the happily childish version of "Jack and the Beanstalk". The use of sepia tone and colour, the music and choreography, song and dance, the crossing over of players from one role to another, plus various other aspects of this very fine movie make it obvious that techniques and styles used for "The Wizard of Oz" are being toyed with here. And that works right well for our intrepid duo. There are certain other things involved that make this movie a treat for me ... Buddy Baer's, Max Baer Jr. of "The Beverly Hillbillies" uncle, appearance as the cop and the giant. Pat Costello, Lou's brother, having been involved in the writing of the script. These things help make this film fun. It does, however, have it's down side. I do think that the choreography is poorly done. But the cute tunes and accompanying vocals help detract from the rather sloppy dance numbers. Some of the players, the couple in love ( prince and princess ) to be precise, aren't very good at their trade. But these things are a small price to pay for an otherwise throughly enjoyable walk down the yellow brick ... er, I mean ... climb up the beanstalk.