I use the above Summary because it is not only a good description of the plot but also the movie going public's reaction to two of it's stars.
Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis's nightclub act had first convulsed audiences back in July 1946 at Skinny D'Amato's notorious 500 Club in Atlantic City, since then, they had become the hottest act to see, with their audiences far exceeding even Sinatra's. It was natural that Hollywood would be the next logical link in the chain, and in 1949, Paramount got their signature's on the dotted line. (It is worth noting that both MGM & Columbia had previously tested and subsequently rejected Dean Martin in the early 1940's whilst he was still a solo singer).
The debut vehicle they chose was a radio show spin-off movie 'My Friend Irma', a show that had been on the air since 1947 with Marie Wilson as the dizzy blonde air head who's good intentions always outstripped her intelligence. The film also starred John Lund as Al, Irma's shady boyfriend who's always one small step ahead of the G-Men but one giant leap away from the next money making scheme. Diana Lynn plays Jane, Irma's worldly wise house mate who's intent on marrying a millionaire, but a millionaire she loves so she cannot be branded a gold digger.
Al & Irma meet Steve Laird,(Martin) and Seymour, (Lewis) at an orange juice stand where the pair work. and as Martin croons away while serving drinks, Al becomes convinced that he can make a fortune by promoting Steve as the new singing sensation.
Meanwhile Jane has just become the secretary to millionaire Richard Rhinelander III, (Don DeFore), and is in a prime spot to put her marriage plans in action. However, it takes one evening with Steve, for Jane to realise that it's hard to make your heart follow where your head is telling it to go.
The film is both funny and romantic and contains some brilliant crooning by Dino, however, Paramount nearly dropped Jerry from the production and it's easy to see why, as he is nothing more than a 'Red Skelton' here, a wacky distraction from the main plot and it still amazes me to this day that Jerry was actually considered the most talented of the two stars.
My Friend Irma is a great debut with some great laughs and some great songs and one for all the family.
Enjoy!!
Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis's nightclub act had first convulsed audiences back in July 1946 at Skinny D'Amato's notorious 500 Club in Atlantic City, since then, they had become the hottest act to see, with their audiences far exceeding even Sinatra's. It was natural that Hollywood would be the next logical link in the chain, and in 1949, Paramount got their signature's on the dotted line. (It is worth noting that both MGM & Columbia had previously tested and subsequently rejected Dean Martin in the early 1940's whilst he was still a solo singer).
The debut vehicle they chose was a radio show spin-off movie 'My Friend Irma', a show that had been on the air since 1947 with Marie Wilson as the dizzy blonde air head who's good intentions always outstripped her intelligence. The film also starred John Lund as Al, Irma's shady boyfriend who's always one small step ahead of the G-Men but one giant leap away from the next money making scheme. Diana Lynn plays Jane, Irma's worldly wise house mate who's intent on marrying a millionaire, but a millionaire she loves so she cannot be branded a gold digger.
Al & Irma meet Steve Laird,(Martin) and Seymour, (Lewis) at an orange juice stand where the pair work. and as Martin croons away while serving drinks, Al becomes convinced that he can make a fortune by promoting Steve as the new singing sensation.
Meanwhile Jane has just become the secretary to millionaire Richard Rhinelander III, (Don DeFore), and is in a prime spot to put her marriage plans in action. However, it takes one evening with Steve, for Jane to realise that it's hard to make your heart follow where your head is telling it to go.
The film is both funny and romantic and contains some brilliant crooning by Dino, however, Paramount nearly dropped Jerry from the production and it's easy to see why, as he is nothing more than a 'Red Skelton' here, a wacky distraction from the main plot and it still amazes me to this day that Jerry was actually considered the most talented of the two stars.
My Friend Irma is a great debut with some great laughs and some great songs and one for all the family.
Enjoy!!