Jumping Jacks (1952)

Nightclub comic Hap Smith assumes the identity of another soldier so he can tour army bases in a revue with his ex-partner Chuck Allen.

Director:

Norman Taurog

Writers:

Robert Lees (screenplay), Frederic I. Rinaldo (screenplay) (as Fred Rinaldo)

Stars:

Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Mona Freeman

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Dean Martin	...	Cpl. Chick Allen
Jerry Lewis	...	Hap Smith
Mona Freeman	...	Betsy Carter
Don DeFore	...	Lt. Kelsey
Robert Strauss	...	Sgt. McClusky
Richard Erdman	...	Pvt. Dogface Dolan (as Dick Erdman)
Ray Teal	...	Brig. Gen. W.W. Timmons
Marcy McGuire	...	Julia Loring
Danny Arnold	...	Pvt. Evans

Storyline

Hap Smith, nightclub entertainer, has a new act since his former partner Chick Allen joined the army: with lovely new partner Betsy Carter, Hap plays a clownish parody of a soldier. Meanwhile, Chick is organizing a soldier show at Fort Benning and finds he needs his old partner's help. To get onto the base, Hap impersonates a hapless real soldier, Dogface Dolan; but circumstances force them to prolong the masquerade, creating an increasingly tangled Army-sized snafu.

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Plot Keywords:

military | comedy team | nightclub | entertainer | two word title | 

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Taglines:

IT'S A RIP-ROARING RIOT! When Dean and Jerry Reach For Their Rip-Cords...

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 June 1952 (USA)

Also Known As:

Locos del aire

Filming Locations:

Fort Benning, Georgia, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hal Wallis Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Finnish censorship certificate # 037611.

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Goofs

When Hap is in the parachute jump tower, and has to keep the rubber ball in his hand throughout his fall, notice Hap drops not one, but two balls. At the end of the fall he has the ball in his hand.

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Quotes

Chick Allen: There's nothing to it. You get on a plane, you go up 20,000 feet, jump out, and your chute opens automatically.
Hap Smith: Yeah? What if it doesn't open?
Chick Allen: Then you pull your reserve parachute.
Hap Smith: What if that doesn't open?
Chick Allen: Well, we haven't had a complaint yet... from a guy whose shoot didn't open.
[Laughs]

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Connections

Referenced in Martin and Lewis (2002)

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Soundtracks

I CAN'T RESIST A BOY IN A UNIFORM
Music by Jerry Livingston
Lyrics by Mack David
Sung by Mona Freeman (dubbed by Imogene Lynn) (uncredited) and danced with Jerry Lewis

User Reviews

A very contrived plot.

Wow...talk about your contrived plots! The film begins with Jerry and his female partner working on their stage act. Out of the blue, Jerry gets a cryptic letter--telling him her was needed for government business. When he goes to where the letter tells him, he finds out his old partner (Dean) needs him to help him put on some sort of show for the army. It seems that Dean is now a paratrooper and plans on having Jerry take on the identity of a guy in his unit so they can put on a show together. While this idea is ridiculous, it's even more so when Jerry is stuck in the paratroopers and cannot get out--even though he really wants to.

This film finds Jerry Lewis at his most spastic and even louder than usual--making you wonder how anyone could possibly mistake him for a soldier (or human)! In addition, because of the performing angle, there are a larger than usual number of musical numbers--along with dancing and other choreography. If you like this, you're in luck. As for me, this mix created a less satisfying sort of Martin & Lewis film. Fortunately, the film was saved (somewhat) by the notion of idiot Jerry accidentally succeeding and becoming a great soldier! But to me, this isn't enough to make this anything other than a loud time-passer.