vincentlynch-moonoi
I should preface this review by saying that I'm a huge fan of Dean Martin. But I think I can be objective, and there are films of his (e.g., "Artists And Models" and the later Matt Helm flicks) that are not so hot. But this 1955 comedy is one of the Martin & Lewis films on the high side. The co-stars are second rate -- Diana Lynn, Nina Foch, and Raymond Burr (two years before he hit it big with "Perry Mason" and became a television staple).In this film, Wilbur Hoolick (Jerry Lewis) is a frustrated barber's apprentice who spends most of his time sweeping the shop. There are some funny bits when Bob Miles (Dean Martin) visits the barbershop for a trim. But before that, Raymond Burr's character steals the Majuba Diamond and hides it is Miles' pocket. Wilbur, who appears to have inadvertently gotten the diamond, is sent by Burr to Burr's wife's apartment to give her a hair-do...merely a plot to secure the diamond, which fails.Wilbur is forced to leave town...again, inadvertently with the diamond. He doesn't have enough fare for the train to Blitzen, Washington so he finagles a boy's sailor suit so he can pose as a child for half fare. Okay, so it's goofy...but this is that kind of comedy. Wilbur as an 11 year old is pretty far-fetched, but he ends up on the train...sitting next to Burr...and ends up in Dean's girlfriend's train cabin....scared of the thunderstorm. And starts the gossip back at the school where Martin and his girlfriend teach.Once at the girl's school, things get out of hand with Wilbur falling in love with Martin's girl, but unable to be the adult he really is.There's a great finale, with some lake-speedboat photography that's surprisingly realistic.Dean has a couple of good romantic songs of the style popular back then -- "Like I Do" and, particularly the romantic "Sympatico". Dean and Jerry are hilarious in "I Like To Hike", with a large chorus. I'm not a Jerry Lewis fan, but there were times he was so good...and this is one of them.This film was re-released in 1964...right after Dean Martin hit big with "Everybody Loves Somebody".
Spikeopath
You're Never Too Young is a remake of 1942 film The Major and the Minor (which itself is based on a play). Only with a gender change. It's directed by Norman Taurog and supporting Martin & Lewis are Diana Lynn, Nina Foch & Raymond Burr. Plot sees the duo caught up in a diamond robbery that entails Lewis posing as a 12 year old schoolboy to flee from the pursuing Burr. Tale unfolds at a girls school where confusion and romance reigns.It's the same with other famous comedy double acts on the big screen, be it Laurel & Hardy, Abbott & Costello, Hope & Crosby or this here pair of Martin & Lewis; there's never a definitive movie that's considered the best from the output. You're Never Too Young has many fans, some of whom proclaim it to be the best film they made. Personally speaking I think it's OK as a time filler, but actually one of their weakest colour productions; and certainly inferior to the great Artists & Models released the same year.Casting aside the preposterous notion at the heart of the film, since this is slapstick comedy after all, the support cast is weak (Lynn arguably the worst female support in all their movies and Burr underused) and the gags are few and far between. It's weakly plotted and half heartedly performed by Martin, even the Schwartz/Cahn musical numbers lack sparkle (yes even Dino's lukewarm rendition of Simpatico). The colour photography from Daniel L. Fapp is most appealing, as is Edith Head's costuming. But no! Even as an ardent fan of their work, I just can't agree this is anything but distinctly average. 5/10
Gooper
From start to finish, and based on the other pictures the boys were in, this is without a doubt the best of the Martin & Lewis series. For some bizarre reason, 'You're Never Too Young' has been buried in obscurity. Maybe it was because there was just a bit too much M & L exposure in '55, so it got lost in the shuffle. By this time, Paramount was giving M & L pictures the 'A' treatment, in full VistaVision and Technicolor, with a great score of specially-commissioned songs and big production numbers. The Sidney Sheldon script they used in this case wasn't too shabby either, and was more ambitious and wide-ranging than their previous films. There's plenty of the customary wackiness, but more sophistication as well, and the boys can handle it. Lewis is in top form. His multiple role playing is inspired, whether doing a Bogart imitation, or a French barber, or, for most of the picture, posing as an early teen in order to escape tough guy Raymond Burr. Thanks to Norman Taurog's competent direction, he is always 'under control' and consistently hilarious. Dean cruises through effortlessly, and does his usual dandy job. Highlights: crooning to Diana Lynn in his sparkling DeSoto station wagon, and helping Jerry get through 'I Like to Hike' at the girls' school concert. Great supporting roles supplied by Veda Ann Borg, Romo Vincent, Hans Conried and Mitzi McCall as Skeets, who's mad about Jerry. All in all, the best produced, the most rewarding, and the best-managed Martin & Lewis vehicle - not to mention the funniest. Now, Paramount, lift this gem up from the vaults and give us a DVD version. Please? Trust me, you'll get your investment back. UPDATE: Paramount came through: the DVD is outstanding, and the film is better than ever!
an9elica
I'll never get tired of watching this movie!Jerry Lewis is everything in this movie, from a goofy barber assistant to a spoiled little brat to a suave and sophisticated young man.
All the funny bits will never be old to me, they still put me in stitches even after I've watched the film umpteen times.My favorite part is the choir scene...If you haven't seen it, don't be a ninny and get the movie for yourself! You won't regret it!I'm glad I still have my good old copy of this wonderful classic.
AD
