The Personal Recommendation Hall of Fame V: Comedy Edition

I grew up watching and enjoying Dean Martin and own most of his "Roasts" that I really love. I have a lot of love for the man including when he paired off with Jerry Lewis. He's a helluva comedian and entertainer. But yeah, the parody was a bit more Producer/casting couch creepy for me. Which did taint the overall experience for me from all-out enjoying it.

very sorry to hear both Wylde and TUS unable to finish. Drop Dead and Bananas would have finished in the upper list, so far. Drop Dead in the top end.

I ended up sick all week, even had to go to the ER, but I'm better now and will finish on time.

Oh geez, sorry to hear that but glad you're better. I did notice you hadn't been on the board.

Yea I was in rough shape, basically have to get rid of 8am steak bombs, tiramisu before bed, and 3 ice coffees a day.

Ugh, that sounds scary. Dare I ask what the problem was?

Still have tests to take but it's my stomach. Probably bad gastritis.

that sucks. Went through something similar a year ago. Had to give up some favorite food. Miss 'em terribly, but continuing was too horrible a consequence.
So, truly, good luck with that and take care.

Still have tests to take but it's my stomach. Probably bad gastritis.

Thanks, I've always been able to eat what I want and I've taken full advantage of it. The pain was so bad that I was getting morphine through an IV. The worst part is that the pain would come and it wouldn't stop for even a second for hours.

Kiss Me, Stupid (1964)

Orville J. Spooner: You heard me. O-U-T. Out!
Dino: Take it easy. E-A-Z-Y.

The Catholic Legion of Decency condemned this Billy Wilder sex romp at release. It pits Ray Walston (Orville J. Spooner), an insanely jealous husband/songwriter desperate to sell one of his songs, to a "passing through" Dino (Dean Martin) playing a parody of himself; who's looking for that night's "action." Spooner's writing partner, Barney (Cliff Osmond), talks him into getting rid of his wife (Felicia Farr) for the night and hiring Polly the Pistol (Kim Novak) from the local bar, The Belly Button, to appease Dino's appetite. At the same time, they try to sell him one or more of their songs.

A twisting scenario that Wilder sets to a spiraling crescendo that mocks the American Dream and the willingness to sell one's wife to buy a slice of it. It wasn't a bust-out laughing experience for me, but there were a few Wilder moments in supporting roles that caused me a laugh. Wilston played hot and cold for me and felt a little out of his element or a bit overacted at times. Martin was Martin, without charm and a far more rapey. Novak's character was the absolute highlight for me, along with Felicia Farr, who both rise above the baser selfishness of their male counterparts.

Being an utter Wilder fanboy, this should have been an easy home run for me. Not to say it wasn't enjoyable, and there were some great moments sprinkled throughout, but I found that I enjoyed it more after the fact than during. Though I imagine a secondary run could adjust that somewhat.
I am pleased to have seen a much lesser-known Wilder film to expand on my list of one of the great American Writers/Directors of his time.

Surprised that you didn't like this more, I'm guessing it's Dean Martin's character that's the deal breaker? You might think I wouldn't like this film but it's actually one of my favorite Wilders (I'm a Wilder fanboy too). I'm also a fan of Dean Martin and of all his performances this is my favorite. Just to be completely different I didn't totally like Kim Novak as a casting choice, I haven't really liked her in much.

I ended up sick all week, even had to go to the ER, but I'm better now and will finish on time.

A few movies you might want to watch for Dean Martin are:

Who Was That Lady? (1960) - This is worth watching for both Dean Martin and Tony Curtis.
Marriage on the Rocks (1965) - This one's not great, but it's good, and it's worth watching.
How to Save a Marriage and Ruin Your Life (1968) - IMO, this is the best of these three comedies.

Toys in the Attic (1963) - This one's not a comedy, but it's a good drama.

A few movies you might want to watch for Dean Martin are:

Who Was That Lady? (1960) - This is worth watching for both Dean Martin and Tony Curtis.
Marriage on the Rocks (1965) - This one's not great, but it's good, and it's worth watching.
How to Save a Marriage and Ruin Your Life (1968) - IMO, this is the best of these three comedies.

Toys in the Attic (1963) - This one's not a comedy, but it's a good drama.

Thanks GBG for the recs! I've had my eye on Toys in the Attic for sometime now as it had Yvette Mimieux and I wanted to see more of her films, so with your endorsement I'll watch it Who Was That Lady? & How to Save a Marriage and Ruin Your Life both sound good so I'll watch them too. I've seen Marriage on the Rocks (1965) a couple times and liked it. I like the swinging bachelor pad and it's interesting as it also stars Frank Sinatra and his daughter Nancy plays, his daughter.

Cool tidbits. Got me even more interested them.