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Actors: Bud Abbott, Lou costello, Shayne Cogan, Jamed Alexander, David Stollery, Buddy Baer, Dorothy Ford, Barbara Brown
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| Review Summary and Plot Commentary about Jack and The Beanstalk |
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Jack (Lou Costello) and Mr. Dinkle (Bud Abbott) come literally bumping into town. Their goal isn't to make trouble but to find work. Unfortunately, it's trouble they get when they crash into Sergeant Riley's (Buddy Baer) parked police car outside the employment agency. He lets them off light but warns them sternly.
The two newcomers are desperate for work and are willing to pretty much take anything. The employment agency receptionist (Dorothy Ford) has just received a call from an equally desperate sister in need of a babysitter. Eloise (Shayne Cogan) and her amorous suitor, Arthur (James Alexander) are in a hurry to go out. Eloise's little brother Donald (David Stollery) has been such a terror that no one in town will baby sit. Jack and Mr. Dinkle are the perfect patsies. They have no clue what they are getting into when they gladly agree. How much trouble can one small boy be?
Jack and Mr. Dinkle arrive at the boy's house. His sister and her friend rush out the door and leave the two unsuspecting sitters behind. Jack goes in to check on Donald and is greeted with a harsh bonk on the head. He decides to read the rambunctious youngster a story in hopes of calming him down. The story he chooses is Jack and the Beanstalk.
As the story opens, Jack Strong (Lou Costello) is busying himself in the yard with chores and daydreams. He is surprised when the lovely Princess Eloise (Shayne Cogan) appears at his water well in search of refreshment. She speaks of troubles in the kingdom because of a big mean giant. She also tells Jack that she is on her way to meet her future husband, Prince Arthur (James Alexander). She boards her beautiful carriage and away she goes, leaving Jack still in awe.
The spell is broken by a call from his mother (Barbara Brown). Things haven't been good since Mr. Strong disappeared and the giant stole their golden egg laying hen. They are being forced to sell the family cow and Jack must be the one to do it. Sadly, he starts on his way to the local butcher, Mr. Dinklepuss (Bud Abbott). He bumps into Prince Arthur who is in a big hurry to get somewhere. Jacks asks and Arthur tells him that the princess has been kidnapped by the giant. About that time the giant comes down and snatches Arthur too.
Jack arrives to complete the transaction. Mr. Dinklepuss is a conniving scam artist and much as he is a butcher. He talks Jack into trading the cow for a five “magic” beans. Jack isn't the sharpest tool in the shed and he accepts the deal. His mother is furious when he arrives. Jack sniffles his way out into the garden and plants the beans with high hopes. Much to everyone's surprise, a huge vine begins to grow. It grows all the way into the sky where the giant's layer resides. Jack gets the idea to go up and save the princess. Mr. Dinklepuss follows along to escape the townsfolk more than to assist.
They are soon discovered by the giant (Buddy Baer), captured and taken to the castle. There they find the prince and princess, the golden egg laying hen and a servant girl named Polly (Dorothy Ford). Polly assists them an escape and they free the prince and princess from their cells. The giant who has been restrained, breaks free to chase them around the castle. They use tied back trees to slingshot over the wall to escape. The giant is in hot pursuit.
The band of escapees hurriedly descend the vine and the giant follows. That is a big mistake for him as he ends up falling to his death. The townsfolk rejoice, the prince and princess are safe, the king is overjoyed and the family fortune is restored.
Jack awakens to find that the bonk on the head may have knocked him out and the whole thing was a dream. Still in shock, he exits the scene as fast as possible. It looks like he is added to the no call babysitter's list.
--Talea, Resident Scholar
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| Analysis of Jack and The Beanstalk |
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Comedy, primarily
Yes
Time/era of movie:
- middle ages
If a parody... of
- fairy tale/classic story
How much humor v. drama
- Nearly all humor
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- farmer
Age:
- 20's-30's
Eccentric:
Yes
- eccentric
Hair color?
- brunette (Brown)
Hair type
- (man) short/standard straight
Body type
- (man) fat
Events of movie makes character more...
- tougher
Ethnicity/Nationality
- General European
Dumb?
Yes
How sensitive is this character?
- soggy whimpering jelly muffin
Sense of humor?
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence
- Dumb
Physique
- healthy but a geeky weakling
Secondary Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Hair color
- brunette (Brown)
Hair style
- (man) short/standard straight
Body type
- (man) average build
How much in movie?
- 90%-100%
Ethnicity/Nationality
- General European
Main Adversary
Identity:
- An "It".
Profession/status:
- criminal
Has magical powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist:
- super strength
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- 20%
Hair color
- brunette (Brown)
Hair type
- (man) long girliemon hair
Body type
- (man) muscular
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Intelligence
- Dumb
Physique
- bulging muscles
Setting
Europe
Yes
Misc setting
- castle
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
Movie makes you feel...
- full of laughter
Any profanity?
- None
If lots of song/dance...
- lot of singing and dancing
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Resident Scholar Profiles
TOP SCHOLAR:
 Talea
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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