"Sailor Beware" is one of the best and funniest of the 16 movies that Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis made together. A big plus of this film is that Jerry isn't portrayed as a buffoon or a whiner. Instead, he's a sort of weakling with allergies who nevertheless wants to get into the Navy; yet his character keeps causing or getting into mishaps. The movie pokes a little fun at the Navy in places, especially its training. One example is aboard a submarine en route to Hawaii. When the sub dives with Jerry's Melvin Jones on deck, he climbs the periscope and the sub commander and others can't make sense of what they see in the scope. Melvin's face against the glass sort of resembles a squished octopus face.
The film avoids the stereotypes of some things from comedies that had become worn out over time and lack humor. A good example is the scenes where the new recruits are having their blood typed. By 1952, so many comedies had scenes of military recruits passing out when they see needles, that these were no longer funny. So, in this film, Melvin gets stuck several times with the big needles as the corpsmen try to draw blood but only get tubes of clear liquid instead. Melvin also has a girlfriend in a Wave, Hilda Jones.
And one of the very funniest of all of Jerry Lewis routines in all of his films is in this movie. That's a boxing match in the ring with a big bruiser. Melvin's goofiness, prancing and dancing around the ring and on the ropes, and his love taps of the hulk he is fighting are hilarious. What adds to this truly laughable silliness is the cheering of all his shipmates. And before the fight, while in the dressing room, Dean's Al Crowthers coaxes Melvin into talking tough to put some fright into his originally scheduled opponent. Jerry is uproariously funny in this, dumbing down his talk to "duh times he docked out so and so." It works so well that his opponent gets scared and another big former boxer takes his place.
An interesting tidbit is that this movie has two bit parts played by young little known actors who would soon be stars - James Dean and Vince Edwards. I didn't notice Dean at all.
Here are some favorite lines from this film. A play on the name of Betty Hutton is very funny.
Chief Bos'n Mate, "Have you ever considered any other branch of the service? The Army recruiting office is just down the street, you know." Melvin Jones, "Oh thanks gobs, gob, but I gotta get in the Navy. It's practically doctor's orders, practically." Chief, "Doctor's orders?" Melvin, "Oh, yes, sir. You see, it's my allergies, and my doctor says I need ocean travel and this is the only way I can afford it.
Melvin Jones, "Wasn't that...?" Al Crowthers, "Hetty Button."
Melvin Jones, "You know, women could kill me." Al Crowthers, "What a way to die."
Melvin Jones, "Lose something?" Naval Doctor, "No, but I think you did. Where's your heart?" Melvin, "You're the doctor."
Al Crowthers, "I wouldn't let anything happen to you, would I?" Melvin Jones, "We'll soon find out."
The film avoids the stereotypes of some things from comedies that had become worn out over time and lack humor. A good example is the scenes where the new recruits are having their blood typed. By 1952, so many comedies had scenes of military recruits passing out when they see needles, that these were no longer funny. So, in this film, Melvin gets stuck several times with the big needles as the corpsmen try to draw blood but only get tubes of clear liquid instead. Melvin also has a girlfriend in a Wave, Hilda Jones.
And one of the very funniest of all of Jerry Lewis routines in all of his films is in this movie. That's a boxing match in the ring with a big bruiser. Melvin's goofiness, prancing and dancing around the ring and on the ropes, and his love taps of the hulk he is fighting are hilarious. What adds to this truly laughable silliness is the cheering of all his shipmates. And before the fight, while in the dressing room, Dean's Al Crowthers coaxes Melvin into talking tough to put some fright into his originally scheduled opponent. Jerry is uproariously funny in this, dumbing down his talk to "duh times he docked out so and so." It works so well that his opponent gets scared and another big former boxer takes his place.
An interesting tidbit is that this movie has two bit parts played by young little known actors who would soon be stars - James Dean and Vince Edwards. I didn't notice Dean at all.
Here are some favorite lines from this film. A play on the name of Betty Hutton is very funny.
Chief Bos'n Mate, "Have you ever considered any other branch of the service? The Army recruiting office is just down the street, you know." Melvin Jones, "Oh thanks gobs, gob, but I gotta get in the Navy. It's practically doctor's orders, practically." Chief, "Doctor's orders?" Melvin, "Oh, yes, sir. You see, it's my allergies, and my doctor says I need ocean travel and this is the only way I can afford it.
Melvin Jones, "Wasn't that...?" Al Crowthers, "Hetty Button."
Melvin Jones, "You know, women could kill me." Al Crowthers, "What a way to die."
Melvin Jones, "Lose something?" Naval Doctor, "No, but I think you did. Where's your heart?" Melvin, "You're the doctor."
Al Crowthers, "I wouldn't let anything happen to you, would I?" Melvin Jones, "We'll soon find out."