Jack and the Beanstalk (1952)

Brilliant and touching

Admirable film.

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

First, the Goodtimes DVD release of this film is the one to get for people who have never seen this film before or have seen poor quality transfers of it. Very excellent quality and I am someone who had never seen this movie before--but it's hard for me to imagine there being a better print out there. So a big thumbs up to Goodtimes video for that.As for the film itself, I'm usually not one for cute and whimsical vehicles turned out by my favorite comedians. "Snow White and the Three Stooges" for instance is a prime example of cute and whimsy gone all wrong--but fortunately, this film doesn't reach that low level.While it's not prime A & C, "Jack and the Beanstalk" managed to hold my attention and I didn't find myself staring at my wristwatch waiting for the film to end. And the performances by all the actors involved were good enough--although by the closing minutes of the film I was left to wonder what happened to the Giant's housekeeper that Costello becomes infatuated with. One minute we see her leaving the Giant's castle with the cow, then she's never seen again--kind of odd. Overall, while I prefer my A & C a little more edgier & not geared towards kids so much, "Jack and the Beanstalk" is not a film that embarrasses the duo--a pleasant little vehicle that should delight the kids and maybe entertain the adults as well. 6 stars

Released through Warner Bros.in 1952 and sadly in public domain which means bad picture and sound. (Optical soundtrack "buzz" and red pencil edit marks.) Lou Costello runs away with this one and actually sings quite well. One of only two A&C movies made in color. Uses a "Wizard of Oz" b&w (or sepia-tone depending on your version) intro and ending gimmick which doesn't seem necessary. Some of the special effects are clever, but most look cheap (fake sky backdrop, cartoon beanstalk) but they can get away with it because this is a fairy tale. Surprisingly good "castle" set because WB's "Joan of Arc" just used it! The songs are mostly forgettable (and boring) except for "Jack and the Beanstalk", I Fear Nothing" and "He Never Looked Better in His Life". Really bad dancing. (The blonde on the right has two left feet) but a good-natured, earnest production that is fun to watch in spite of it all. Made in three weeks and looks it. Buddy Baer plays the giant and looks just like Max Baer from "Mama's Little Pirate". He doesn't seem quite tall enough to be a giant. The maid and the princess so are well-endowed they almost look like pin-ups! (The maid is 6 Ft.2-she is a giant!) The golden goose is replaced by a golden hen and the talking harp is annoying. (Mel Blanc does the animal voices.) Typical A&C slapstick: exploding eggs, chases, Lou gets slapped around, yells for "Mr. Dinglepuss"(Abbott) and runs into things. "Henry" the "girl" cow wears rouge and lipstick! Short and sweet (78 min.) One of the first movies I remember seeing on a big screen, so it has a lot of nostalgic charm for me. From reading the various reviews,there are only bad copies of this film out there, made from tired "masters" that look more like work prints. (Turning down the resolution-sharpness helps "reduce" the flaws on my copy.) Good for younger children. Mild comic violence.

In need of work, straight man Bud Abbott (as Jack) and comic partner Lou Costello (as Dinkel) get the latter a job babysitting self-described "problem child" David Stollery (as Donald). Young Stollery winds up reading Mr. Costello's favorite novel (see if you can guess the title), which puts Costello to sleep, dreaming he and Mr. Abbott are reliving the story of "Jack and the Beanstalk" (you guessed it).The sepia-tone switches to color for the bulk of the production. Apparently, this was an attempt at something different for the duo, a colorful children's fantasy. It fails, but this is where you get to see Abbott & Costello in color, silent film superstar William Farnum (as the King) make his last performance a bit part, boxer Max Baer's brother Buddy, and Stollery before Disney's "Spin and Marty".** Jack and the Beanstalk (4/4/52) Jean Yarbrough ~ Lou Costello, Bud Abbott, Buddy Baer, William Farnum

I watched this last night for the first time in 40 years. It's bad. Really bad. But it has enough hilariously awful moments, that it's worth watching. First of all, was it deliberate to make the boy being babysat completely effeminate? He even says to Costello a la Mae West "you fascinate me!" as Costello does a double take. God only knows what would have have happened if the babysitter had been a hunk. THIS kid would have seduced him in a heartbeat! Then there's the principal male dancer. He is totally inept. Roar with laughter as he leaps and prances with no talent whatsoever over the giant's grave during He Never Looked Better in His Life. The two romantic leads are zeros, wastes. Abbott gets to sing one line and that was dubbed in by another singer. Geez, I guess he couldn't even carry a tune! Costello does manage to be charming in his I Fear Nothing number, and I guess very small children might like it, but there's not much to recommend it. But oh that seductive effeminate boy! THAT aspect alone blew me away! Plus the fact the family accepted anyone off the street with no references to babysit a child! Today, little femmy boy would be taken away from them!