Boeing, Boeing *** (1965, Tony Curtis, Jerry Lewis, Dany Saval, Thelma Ritter) – Classic Movie Review 7120

Tony Curtis and Jerry Lewis star in Boeing, Boeing as Bernie Lawrence and Robert Reed, a couple of Sixties swingers who run a place in Paris overflowing with air stewardesses in John Rich’s funny 1965 Americanised version of the London West End stage farce success from the play by Marc Camoletti.

Boeing, Boeing was nominated for two Golden Globes: Best Actor – Comedy or Musical (Jerry Lewis) and Best Supporting Actress (Thelma Ritter).

The stars are well matched and appealing. There is a likeable, amusing performance by Curtis and a pleasantly quiet one from Lewis in a straight role. Thelma Ritter is a joy as Bertha, the put-upon housekeeper who helps Curtis’s three girlfriends from discovering the truth. Dany Saval plays Jacqueline Grieux from Air France, Christiane Schmidtmer plays Lise Bruner from Lufthansa and Suzanna Leigh plays Vicky Hawkins from British United Airlines. Lomax Study plays Pierre.

Boeing, Boeing is a fun relic of the era, very sitcom, farcical and sexist – and totally of the Sixties.

Edward Anhalt adapts Marc Camoletti’s play for the screen.

Curtis recalled: ‘Jerry Lewis did everything he could to help me concentrate: step on my feet, mug at me during a serious take. I enjoyed every minute of it.’

Boeing, Boeing is directed by John Rich, runs 102 minutes, is released by Paramount, is written by Edward Anhalt, based on Marc Camoletti’s play, is shot in Technicolor by Lucien Ballard, is produced by Hal B Wallis, is scored by Neal Hefti, and is designed by Hal Pereira and Walter H Tyler.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7120

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