Irma à Hollywood

Having just rewatched My Friend Irma on YouTube, I decided to finally watch the sequel on the same site. Once again, Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis are once again shoehorned into the movie plot of characters originally based on a radio sitcom featuring Jane Stacy (Diana Lynn), her scatterbrained roommate Irma Peterson (Marie Wilson) and Irma's con artist boyfriend Al (John Lund). Martin & Lewis are once again singer Steve & partner Seymour and once again they do their nightclub act that, while hilarious, doesn't really have anything to do with the plot which takes them out of New York City to at least Las Vegas since the Hollywood offer from a "producer" turns out to be...oh, watch the movie to find out. There's also a French film actress named Yvonne Yvonne (Corinne Calvet) with a monkey in tow added. The former to challenge Steve's fidelity to Jane and the latter to provide Seymour some more funny business. What I haven't said of the plot gets even more contrived than previously and most of the last 15 minutes or so isn't as funny as the first hour. But the cast once again try their best, Dean's crooning is as swoon-worthy as ever, and Jerry, for the most part, gets plenty of moments to shine. So on that note, My Friend Irma Goes West is recommended.

As in the first film, "My Friend Irma," John Lund has the funniest role in this film, with Marie Wilson's Irma in second place. Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis afford some comedy, but Jerry's Seymour again has some scenes that are very dated and just don't tickle the funny bone two decades into the 21st century. And that goes for older funny bones (from pre mid-20th century) to the young ones of today.

Jerry's one very funny scenario is his playing canasta with a chimpanzee on the train. But, John Lund's Al can get laughs just on his persona - how he plays the role as a street mug, or when he calls Irma, "Chicken."

The funniest scene in the whole film is when Al is sitting at a table ready to take some chump in poker. A meek-looking patsy comes by and asks to be able to play. This is Lloyd Corrigan playing a character named Sharpie Corrigan - only Al doesn't know his name or who he is.

After Al gives the guy the cards too shuffle, the scene shifts to his hands. I don't know who the card expert was whose hands we see, but I don't think there's ever been a better or more accomplished scene of card shuffling in another movie. Besides a couple usual trick handling of the cards, this pair of hands splits the deck with half a deck of cards fanning out in each hand. He then melds to two hands together - not one hand on top of the other, but interspersing the cards. I've never seen anything like it before.

The scene then shows Al's face with a look of disbelief, and he comments about the guy never having played before, to which Sharpie replies that he played some other cards games. But now he deals five cards, one at a time to each of them. The game is straight five-card draw poker. Al looks at his cards and bets $200. Sharpie raises it $200. They go back and forth with raises, then Al says he doesn't need any cards. Sharpie doesn't take any cards either, so Al passes. Sharpie bets $200 and Al calls him. Al then lays down a straight. Sharpie asks him what will beat a straight and Al says a flush. Sharpie says he doesn't have a flush, and Al starts to rake in the pot when Sharpie says he has a full house. Al asks how he knows, when he hasn't even looked at his cards yet - and Sharpie holds up the full house for Al to see, without ever looking at the cards himself.

The expressions, of both characters during this hand of cards is half the comedy of this scene. It's too bad that the movie didn't have more comedy like this. Jerry has a far-out segment dressed as an Indian brave, trying to make a smoke signal, and then sneaking around to a crooks hideout. Besides the two scenes mentioned above, this film has some very funny lines. But for those, I'm not sure younger audiences today would find this film very funny. It's probably mostly for diehard Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis fans. Dean sings a couple of songs and those help the film some.

Here are the best funny lines in this film.

Jane Stacey, "I wonder if Steve's photogenic." Irma Peterson, "Why of course not. He's as healthy as a horse."

Irma Peterson, after they see Yvonne kiss Steve on TV, "Oh, don't be upset, Jane. That's just the French way of shaking hands. I... it's like when the Germans are leaving and they say, 'gesundheit.'"

Jane Stacey, "I believe you, honey, and I don't mean to be jealous. It's just that there's something about you that... that makes me hate all other women."

Al, "Holy smoke! Shanghaied by a screwball."

Irma Peterson, "Oh, don't be angry at Jane. Remember, it's better to give than receive." Al, "What has that got to do with this murderous situation?? Irma, "Oh, nothing, Al. I just thought it was a good time to quote someone."

Irma Peterson, "Oh, Al, did you see the moon?" Al, "Why, is it missing?"

Irma Peterson, "Oh, when I think of marrying you, I could stay sick forever."

Irma Peterson, "You didn't say anything about my new bathing suit." Al, "You got one on?" Ima, "Oh, Al, don't you pay any attention?" Al, "Chicken, with the problems I've got on my mind, you could be wearing a suit of armor and I wouldn't notice."

Al, "Now, chicken, run along and rejoice in your good fortune. Before long you will be Mrs. Al." Irma Peterson, "Oh, Mrs. Al."

Irma Peterson, "Well, Jane, you're wrong. He wasn't a quack doctor. He's a lumberjack."

Irma Peterson, "Although I've been engaged for five years, I've never had any children. I wanna be a mother." Pete, "It'd be better for your kids if I bump you off."

Although this picture was made as a sequel to MY FRIEND IRMA it took on a life of its own because of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Martin & Lewis were virtual unknowns when they were featured in the first Irma, were still unknowns when Goes West was filmed. BUT... but... by the time this film was released the boys had become the hottest comedy team in American history. This film was a smash hit almost entirely because it featured Martin & Lewis. When the boys' next movie came out, At War with the Army, I remember me and my brother waited 2 1/2 hours at Loew's 2400 seat Palace theater in Washington, DC to get in. This was during the movies lean years when folks were staying home with their 7" Motorola b&w TV's. Odd to recently see VHS copies of that picture on sale at Safeway for 99 cents. OH... My Friend Irma Goes West was very funny!

Wacky comedy where the gags keep coming from every direction. Poor Irma, to get in movies she's got to get to Hollywood with her troupe of friends, agents, boyfriends, and monkeys. Will she make it or will she keep getting on trains to Chicago. It's special fun for us geezers who recall ditzy Irma's popular radio show where Wilson also starred. Then too, the production date is 1950. So, the movie includes such period snippets as: TV is just beginning, Hopalong is a favorite show, and Margaret Truman's singing career is a common joke. Thus it's also nostalgia time for many of us. And oh yes, mustn't forget the glimpse of a rural Las Vegas before it became fun city.

All in all, the flick's a humorous delight that proves even Jerry Lewis is funny in small doses. Here he shares the laugh stage with a dippy Irma, an unexpectedly funny John Lund, and the superlative Pierre who mugs it up in true Chimp fashion. Then too, Martin shows his leading man stuff but unfortunately gets a clunky song to warble. And how about cutie Diana Lynn, sort of an early Debbie Reynolds. Too bad her career was cut short by a stroke.

I could have done without the gangster bit, but at least director Walker keeps things moving. Then too, the various threads aren't always blended but who cares. In short, the 90-minutes manages more than its share of laughs, along with a starting gate for the 50's unforgettable Martin and Lewis.

This is easily the funniest and most deep-down-hardy chuckle inducing film that the fabulous comedy duo of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis have ever starred in. And it makes its predecessor (My Friend Irma) pale in comparison. One of the only sequels I've ever known that's actually better than the original. Even though Dean and Jerry were only given fourth and fifth billing in the picture, because they were still so new in the industry, Jerry Lewis clearly ends up stealing the whole show! In between Dean Martin's dulcet tones as he sings some original songs in the film, Jerry is at his peak, complete with his legendary, goofy humor, delayed-reaction one-liners, and prat falls. He's probably the most valuable asset of the film. But this isn't to undermine the performances of the lead actors, who are also fabulous! Especially the dead-on, hilarious portrayal of Irma, the dizzy blonde, by Marie Wilson. Her character's innocent and gullible absent-mindedness which lands her in so much trouble will definitely provide some GOOD laughs...Definitely! This is the first review of this film on this site, and therefore the first one people will see when they look up this reference page, so I'm really trying to do it justice in my review. Let me just say that this movie is most probably the funniest picture of its era, and you can quote me on that. Way ahead of its time, it's hard to believe that this was produced half a century ago! Even my seven-year-old sister loves it, and it's HARD to win her over! Please give it a chance. I can promise that if you have even an inkling of a sense of humor inside you, you'll laugh so much that it'll be hard to find time for eating popcorn between chuckles! My rating for My Friend Irma Goes West, a solid, perfect 10. But 10 isn't really high enough for it. My own opinion of it surpasses 10 ineffably.