''Sailor Beware'' is a 1952 American

comedy film A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending (black comedy being an exception). Comedy is one of the ol ...

starring the comedy team of

Martin and Lewis Martin and Lewis were an American comedy duo, comprising singer Dean Martin and comedian Jerry Lewis. They met in 1945 and debuted at Atlantic City's 500 Club on July 25, 1946; the team lasted ten years to the day. Before they teamed up, Martin ...

and is an adaption of a 1933 Kenyon Nicholson and Charles Robinson play of the same name. It was released on February 9, 1952 by Paramount Pictures. The

working title A working title, which may be abbreviated and styled in trade publications after a putative title as (wt), also called a production title or a tentative title, is the temporary title of a product or project used during its development, usually ...

was ''At Sea with the Navy''. It was the fifth film collaboration of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, who would make 16 movies together before their partnership's end.

Plot

After meeting in the Navy recruiting line, Al Crowthers and Melvin Jones become friends. Al has tried to enlist before, 11 times, but was always rejected because of a bad knee. However, he keeps trying so that he can impress women. Melvin, meanwhile, is allergic to women's cosmetics and his doctor prescribed ocean travel, so he decided to join the Navy as this was the only way he could afford to follow doctor's orders. Unbeknownst to Al, the naval requirements have been lowered and this time he has been accepted, as has Melvin. They are assigned to Lardoski, a bully they met in line and referred to as "fathead." While based in

San Diego San Diego ( , ; ) is a city on the Pacific Ocean coast of Southern California located immediately adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. With a 2020 population of 1,386,932, it is the eighth most populous city in the United State ...

, Melvin falls in love with Hilda Jones, a woman who does not wear makeup. Melvin seems to attract many women, so Lardoski wagers with Al, betting that Melvin must get a kiss from any girl Lardoski names. Al agrees and Lardoski picks

Corinne Calvet Corinne Calvet (April 30, 1925 – June 23, 2001), born Corinne Dibos, was a French actress who appeared mostly in American films. According to one obituary, she was promoted "as a combination of Dietrich and Rita Hayworth", but her person ...

, who is performing at a nightclub in

Honolulu Honolulu (; ) is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is in the Pacific Ocean. It is an unincorporated county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the island ...

. The crew then get sent out on the next submarine to Hawaii, with Melvin caught on deck when the ship is submerging. Upon his rescue he is tied to a torpedo for the rest of the voyage to avoid any more incidents. Once in Hawaii, Al romances Corinne at the same time Melvin vies for her affection in order to gain a kiss to win the bet, which his shipmates have informed him about. Melvin is unsuccessful in comforting Hilda, who becomes jealous. Lardoski tries to prevent the kiss by getting the shore patrol to arrest Melvin, but after disguising himself as a hula dancer, Melvin gains the kiss. Al wins the bet (and Corinne), and Melvin works things out with Hilda.

Cast

* Dean Martin as Al Crowthers * Jerry Lewis as Melvin Jones *

as Corinne Calvet, herself *

Marion Marshall Marion Marshall (June 8, 1929 – September 24, 2018) was an American actress. Career Marshall's first film appearances were in the 20th Century Fox films ''Gentleman's Agreement'' and '' Daisy Kenyon'' in 1947 (although they were both uncredi ...

as Hilda Jones * Robert Strauss as CPO Lardoski * Leif Erickson as Cmdr. Lane * Don Wilson as Mr. Chubby * Vince Edwards as Blayden (billed as Vincent Edwards) *

Skip Homeier George Vincent Homeier (October 5, 1930 – June 25, 2017), known professionally as Skip Homeier, was an American actor who started his career at the age of eleven and became a child star. Career Child actor Homeier was born in Chicago, Illino ...

as Mac * Dan Barton as 'Bama *Mike Mahoney as Tiger *

Mary Treen Mary Treen (born Mary Louise Summers, March 27, 1907 – July 20, 1989) was an American film and television actress. A minor actress for much of her career, she managed to secure a plain, unassuming niche for herself in the Hollywood of the 1 ...

as Ginger

Cameos

Betty Hutton Betty Hutton (born Elizabeth June Thornburg; February 26, 1921 – March 11, 2007) was an American stage, film, and television actress, comedian, dancer, and singer. Early life and education Hutton was born Elizabeth June Thornburg on February 2 ...

has an unbilled cameo as Dean's girlfriend, who is curiously named Hetty Button. * James Dean appears briefly in one of the scenes in the locker room, and even has a line of dialogue: "That guy's a professional!" * Duke Mitchell appears briefly as the cornerman in the boxing scene. He would later team with Sammy Petrillo and star in '' Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla'', in which they play

-like characters.

Production

''Sailor Beware'' was filmed from September 5, 1951 through October 12, 1951.

Re-release

The film was re-released on a double-bill with another

film, '' Jumping Jacks'' in 1957. It was re-released a second time in 1968.

Home media

The film was included on an eight-film DVD set, the ''Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis Collection: Volume One'', released on October 31, 2006.

References

External links

* * {{Martin and Lewis 1952 films 1952 comedy films American comedy films Military humor in film American black-and-white films 1950s English-language films American films based on plays Films directed by Hal Walker Films produced by Hal B. Wallis Paramount Pictures films Films about the United States Navy Films scored by Leigh Harline James Dean 1950s American films