The Stooge (1951)

Egotistical vaudevillian Bill Miller basks in the limelight with his successful musical-comedy act, but his success is due to his unheralded second banana.

Director:

Norman Taurog

Writers:

Fred F. Finklehoffe (screenplay), Martin Rackin (screenplay)

Stars:

Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Polly Bergen

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Dean Martin	...	Bill Miller
Jerry Lewis	...	Theodore 'Ted' Rogers
Polly Bergen	...	Mary Turner Miller
Marion Marshall	...	Genevieve 'Frecklehead' Tait
Eddie Mayehoff	...	Leo Lyman
Richard Erdman	...	Ben Bailey
Frances Bavier	...	Mrs. Rogers

Storyline

Bill Miller is an unsuccessful Broadway performer until his handlers convince him to enhance his act with a stooge - Ted Rogers, a guy positioned in the audience to be the butt of Bill's jokes. But Ted begins to steal the show. Bill's girlfriend and his pals tell him to make Ted an equal partner. Complications occur, while Bill sings and Ted gets the laughs.

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Plot Keywords:

champagne | stooge | reference to george m. cohan | deus ex machina | partnership | 

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Taglines:

A RIOTOUS MUSICAL RAMPAGE! (original print ad - all caps)

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 December 1952 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der Prügelknabe

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Wallis-Hazen

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Though filmed in 1951, it was held up release till 1953 because Paramount was unsure of its box office appeal due to its extensive dramatic moments.

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Quotes

[Ted is drunk]
Mary Turner: [whispering] Don't you think Ted has had enough?
Theodore 'Ted' Rogers: You whisperin' about me?
Bill Miller: Oh, no. What gives you that idea?
Theodore 'Ted' Rogers: I don't know. Am I being very extraordinary
[hiccups]
Theodore 'Ted' Rogers: "Extraordinary". That's a funny one.
[drinks more champagne]
Mary Turner: How do you feel?
Theodore 'Ted' Rogers: I feel very... gling glong. Thank you.
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in The Blacklist: Miles McGrath (No. 65) (2016)

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Soundtracks

With My Eyes Wide Open I'm Dreaming
(uncredited)
Music by Harry Revel
Lyrics by Mack Gordon
Sung by Dean Martin

User Reviews

The boys most accomplished piece, delivers a double deal.

Some good comments here on this site already, so I really don't want to go over old ground, it is a portent of sorts, and there is no getting away from the fact that its central themes of narcissism and selfishness are striking a chord with the duo as the film draws to it's marvellous finale.

The film was held back for release for two years and it's not hard to see why in the light of the other Martin & Lewis out and out comedy offerings prior to this one. You see this offering is a drama with a comedy heart. Of course it's full of the maniacal moments one has come to expect from this pair, but we are never in any doubt that the core of the film is serious stuff. We are set up a treat by the makers because we are heartily involved with the mirthful nature for the first three parts of the film, and it's this that is the films chief triumph because when the shift in tone occurs: it hits you like a sledgehammer.

Maximum impact is gained by a cunning slant masquerading as comedy, and this makes the film, in my opinion, the duo's most poignant and accomplished piece of work, it's certainly not close to being the funniest one has to say, but it's an essential and great piece of entertainment from two very special entertainers. 8/10