Hollywood or Bust (1956)

A singer who can't pay his bookie joins a nerdy, star-struck movie fan and his Great Dane in a cross-country convertible ride to Hollywood.

Director:

Frank Tashlin

Writer:

Erna Lazarus

Stars:

Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Pat Crowley

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Dean Martin	...	Steve Wiley
Jerry Lewis	...	Malcolm Smith
Pat Crowley	...	Terry Roberts
Maxie Rosenbloom	...	Bookie Benny
Anita Ekberg	...	Anita Ekberg

Storyline

The last movie with Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin together, is a satire of the life in Hollywood. Steve Wiley is a deceiver who cheats Malcolm Smith when he wins a car, claiming that he won it too. Trying to steal the car, Steve tells Malcolm that he lives in Hollywood, next to Anita Ekberg's. When Malcom hears that, they both set out for Hollywood and the adventure begins...

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Plot Keywords:

big breasts | breasts | breast | great dane | cross country | 

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Taglines:

Their maddest, merriest FUN HIT!

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jerry Lewis maintained that he never saw this film, because the making of it was too painful, as he and Dean Martin had already decided to end their partnership.

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Goofs

When the bull throws Malcolm after a short ride, you can briefly see a rope around its neck, presumably used by the stunt double. But the rest of the bull scenes show no rope.

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Quotes

Steve Wiley: [referring to sexy movie star Anita Ekberg] Do I know her? She drives me crazy!
Malcolm Smith: [obviously excited] Me too!
Steve Wiley: She keeps coming to my back door and wants to borrow a couple of cups of sugar...
Malcolm Smith: Sugar? That's nice, yeah!
Steve Wiley: ...a couple eggs...
Steve Wiley: Oh, eggs! Good!
Steve Wiley: I go over to her place - I borrow a grapefruit or two...
Malcolm Smith: [aroused by the metaphor] Oh, that's cute!

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Connections

References Strategic Air Command (1955)

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Soundtracks

A Day in the Country
Music by Sammy Fain
Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster

User Reviews

Martin & Lewis ended their partnership on a good note with Frank Tashlin's Hollywood or Bust

Having spent the last two or so weeks watching Martin & Lewis movies in chronological order on YouTube, I just finished their very last one on the same site. Once again, a couple of female players from their previous ones have appeared here: Pat Crowley, previously Jerry's girl in Money from Home, is now Dean's here though she initially plays hard to get. And Anita Ekberg, who was a model in Artists and Models, plays herself as the movie star Jerry has a massive crush on. Since this is directed by Frank Tashlin, expect plenty of well-endowed women in view, particularly when Dean and Jerry are watching the views of various farming countrysides on the road. Oh, and there's also a dog named Mr. Bascomb in tow to add to the hilarious comedy that's almost nonstop throughout. Watching this, you wouldn't know that Martin & Lewis weren't talking to each other off-set and that they would break up the act for good. Maybe it's just as well as they both would continue to have success solo (Jerry) and with others (Dean). I've had the best time seeing them grow as performers during this time and I'm looking forward to watching what I can of their subsequent films separate from each other. So on that note, I highly recommend Hollywood or Bust. P.S. While the IMDb cast list doesn't identify him, I swear the guy who announces the winning car ticket that Dean & Jerry claim is Harold Peary, best known to me as The Great Gildersleeve on radio, especially when he enunciates certain words. And I immediately recognized when they went through my birthtown of Chicago, Ill., by the Prudential building.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 December 1956 (UK)

Also Known As:

Beginner's Luck

Filming Locations:

Taos, New Mexico, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$3,300,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hal Wallis Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1