IMDb RATING
5.9/10
813
YOUR RATING
A bumbling hero with a photographic memory winds up in Morocco as a private in the French Foreign Legion. He still hasn't adjusted after 18 months. Among other things, he's lost a tank.A bumbling hero with a photographic memory winds up in Morocco as a private in the French Foreign Legion. He still hasn't adjusted after 18 months. Among other things, he's lost a tank.A bumbling hero with a photographic memory winds up in Morocco as a private in the French Foreign Legion. He still hasn't adjusted after 18 months. Among other things, he's lost a tank.
- Director
- Writers
- Stars
Kenneth Becker
- Corporal
- (as Ken Becker)
Eric Alden
- Two-Star Air Force General
- (uncredited)
Michael Ansara
- Moki
- (uncredited)
Joan Bradshaw
- Dancing Girl
- (uncredited)
Drew Cahill
- Lt. Wilson
- (uncredited)
Sue Carlton
- Blonde
- (uncredited)
Albert Carrier
- French Aide
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
This is one of the most under rated films of all time!This film was very funny and was very entertaining and had the movie viewers concerned about the plot and the characters! It really delivered what the people expected from the Army comedy and then some!There was fun after hilarious fun and I do not understand why a lot of movie critcs do not see how well made the movie was.The only complaint I have about it is that it was done in black and white.But that is grasping for a negative right there.I hope people see this movie for what it is in the near future.A great classic comedy and to be rated as high as other classic comedies. It's pure enjoyment I tell you!
While I've enjoyed many of Jerry Lewis' movies I believe Joey Bishop would have been a better choice for the title role since Joey kind of resembled the classic comic book character. But perhaps it was Jerry's ego that kept him from producing a movie with someone else as the star.
The only memorable thing about this bland, tacky, cheap-looking comedy is Liliane Montevecchi. That this beautiful, spectacularly entertaining creature could have been intentionally included in this otherwise nastily drab picture is almost beyond belief. Peter Lorre is also brought in to jazz things up a bit, mostly to no avail, though thanks to his efforts one of his scenes with Jerry Lewis is very nearly funny.
Aside from a god-awful opening tune sung by Lewis (ugh!), "The Sad Sack" is an entertaining little film. Fresh from his breakup with long-time partner, Dean Martin, the studio instead gave him David Wayne AND Joe Mantell to fill the void. And considering that there isn't any of the usual singing, things worked out just fine. However, don't expect huge laughs from this one--just a pleasant little army comedy.
Lewis naturally plays the Sad Sack--a soldier who can't seem to do anything right. However, a dopey female Major takes him under her wing and gets a couple soldiers (Wayne and Mantell) to buddy up with Lewis and help him through basic training. Eventually, the trio is sent to North Africa where they have a series of mildly interesting adventures.
Like I said above, this is not a hilarious film but a nice little comedy. What I especially liked is that Lewis was far more likable and restrained than usual--without the excess mugging that sometimes ruined his later films. What you're left with is some nice acting, a decent script from this little time-passer. The only negative I noticed is that there are quite a few sexist remarks about the major--a product of the times in which it was made.
Lewis naturally plays the Sad Sack--a soldier who can't seem to do anything right. However, a dopey female Major takes him under her wing and gets a couple soldiers (Wayne and Mantell) to buddy up with Lewis and help him through basic training. Eventually, the trio is sent to North Africa where they have a series of mildly interesting adventures.
Like I said above, this is not a hilarious film but a nice little comedy. What I especially liked is that Lewis was far more likable and restrained than usual--without the excess mugging that sometimes ruined his later films. What you're left with is some nice acting, a decent script from this little time-passer. The only negative I noticed is that there are quite a few sexist remarks about the major--a product of the times in which it was made.
OK, the second Of Jerry Lewis" films after the split up with Dean Martin - and I was only 10 years old when I saw it. So naturally I wanted to see Jerry succeed ( as well as Dean of course ) in his now solo career. To my Mother's shock and amazement I hung an 8 1/2 by 10 inch photo of Liliane Montevecchi ( wearing that black sexy outfit from the movie ) on my bedroom wall. Raging hormones at age 10 ??? Maybe LOL
But seriously I thought the movie was a riot. David Wayne and Joe Montell cracked me up as did Peter Lorre. Never stopped laughing. Funny thing though; I've never seen this movie repeated on TV. This is disappointing. That photo of Liliane stayed on my wall until it darn near wore out. Jerry's first movie after the split up was Delecate Delinquint which starred Darren McGavin.
The type of humor is probably dated by today's ( yuk ) standards but I can tell you for a fact that the entire theater audience laughed as hard and as long as I did.
So, if you get a chance to see this movie, I recommend it. It is in black and white but that's OK.
But seriously I thought the movie was a riot. David Wayne and Joe Montell cracked me up as did Peter Lorre. Never stopped laughing. Funny thing though; I've never seen this movie repeated on TV. This is disappointing. That photo of Liliane stayed on my wall until it darn near wore out. Jerry's first movie after the split up was Delecate Delinquint which starred Darren McGavin.
The type of humor is probably dated by today's ( yuk ) standards but I can tell you for a fact that the entire theater audience laughed as hard and as long as I did.
So, if you get a chance to see this movie, I recommend it. It is in black and white but that's OK.
Did you know
- TriviaIn the original comic, the Sad Sack's name is just that, Private Sad Sack, and he was even given an uncle, a colonel named Saggy Sack. But in the movie, the Sad Sack's name is Meredith Bixby. The comic character also doesn't have a photographic memory like in the movie.
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- How long is The Sad Sack?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Runtime
- 1h 38m(98 min)
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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