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:

Be happy go wacky!

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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

Shaye Cogan and James Alexander receive "introducing" credits.

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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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Alternate Versions

Original press screenings featured a print that ran 83 minutes and 45 seconds. An uncut 35mm preview print survives in a private archive, but has not been released on DVD. The deleted sequences include some dialogue between Jack and his mother about how to bid while selling the cow and his strange choice to give a male name to a cow; an extra section of 'Dreamer's Cloth' sung by the Princess and the complete song 'Darlene'. Some video versions have parts of the missing scenes, but not all missing sequences.

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Connections

Version of Beanstalk (1994)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

very good Abbott and Costello movie

I've loved this movie since I was a little kid. I remember the night my mother brought this movie home for me. I loved it and I still do. I think it's very funny and original. There are also some very catchy tunes in this movie. Lou is also a surprisingly good singer. The actors that portray Prince Arthur and Princess Eloise are okay too, but Abbott and Costello are the best. Former heavyweight boxing sensation Buddy Baer, also brother of former heavyweight champion Max Baer is good in this movie as the cop and The giant. He's a better actor than boxer. He had a natural talent. The beginning of this movie is hilarious how Lou Costello keeps crashing the car and how he gets into trouble with Buddy Baer. The slapstick in the house is good too. I especially like the comedy in the Giant's castle. My favorite parts are; the part were Lou is climbing the beanstalk and they're all singing as a farewell. Jack is singing back to them that he'll return. Lou Costello is a very good at singing. My other favorite part is the part when Jack is fighting with the Giant. I like when Jack makes exploding eggs and when he tries to make the Giant an omelet they keep exploding. Abbott and Costello are hilarious and the greatest comedians of all time. This is only one of their great movies that I will love and cherish. The reviews for this movie aren't very good and I can't understand why. This is a very good Abbott and Costello movie. I also love how Lou Costello comes back to reality in the end and thinks he's back in the dream when Bud hits him. He starts singing his song and leaves with an attitude like no one is going to push me around. Very good movie.