SYNOPSIS: "Jack and the Beanstalk" (1952) is a whimsical musical adaptation of the classic fairy tale, starring Lou Costello as Jack and Bud Abbott as Mr. Dinklepuss. The story unfolds with Jack and his mother living in poverty, struggling to make ends meet. When Jack is sent to sell their only cow, he meets a mysterious old man who trades him five magic beans in exchange for the cow. Despite his mother's dismay, Jack plants the beans, which grow overnight into a towering beanstalk reaching up to the sky. Driven by curiosity and a sense of adventure, Jack climbs the beanstalk and discovers a giant's castle in the clouds, inhabited by a fearsome giant portrayed by Buddy Baer. In the castle, Jack encounters various magical beings, including a beautiful princess, and learns about the giant's treasures, such as a hen that lays golden eggs and a magical harp. Jack's adventure is filled with comedic moments, largely due to the antics of Mr. Dinklepuss, a scheming and humorous character who becomes Jack's companion. Together, they navigate the dangers of the giant's domain, leading to a thrilling climax where Jack must use his wits to escape the giant's clutches. The film is a blend of fantasy, humor, and vibrant musical numbers, showcasing Costello's comedic talent and delivering a timeless story of bravery, cleverness, and the triumph of good over evil.

PLOT Spoiler Alert: "Jack and the Beanstalk" (1952) begins with Jack (Lou Costello) and his mother living in poverty, struggling to make ends meet. Jack is tasked with selling their only cow to buy food, but instead, he trades the cow for five magic beans offered by a mysterious old man. When he returns home, his mother is furious and throws the beans out the window. Overnight, the beans grow into a massive beanstalk that reaches into the sky. Driven by curiosity, Jack climbs the beanstalk and finds a giant's castle in the clouds. The castle is inhabited by a fearsome giant (Buddy Baer) and contains many magical treasures, including a hen that lays golden eggs and a harp that plays by itself. Along his journey, Jack encounters Mr. Dinklepuss (Bud Abbott), a sly and comedic character who becomes his reluctant companion. Together, they navigate the castle's dangers, encountering a beautiful princess and other magical beings. The giant eventually discovers Jack and Mr. Dinklepuss, leading to a series of comedic and thrilling escapes. Jack manages to steal the giant's treasures and, with the help of Mr. Dinklepuss, escapes down the beanstalk. Once on the ground, Jack chops down the beanstalk, causing the giant to fall to his demise. The story concludes with Jack and his mother no longer in poverty, thanks to the treasures he brought back, celebrating their newfound fortune and the lessons learned from his adventure.

In addition to the main plot, several vibrant musical numbers that enhance the storytelling and provide lighthearted moments. These songs showcase the comedic talents of Lou Costello and Bud Abbott, adding to the whimsical atmosphere of the film. The relationship between Jack and Mr. Dinklepuss evolves throughout the story, with their humorous interactions providing a counterbalance to the more adventurous and perilous aspects of their journey. The film's production design captures the fantastical elements of the classic fairy tale, with elaborate sets and special effects that bring the giant's castle and its magical inhabitants to life. The combination of fantasy, humor, and music, along with Costello's charming performance, makes "Jack and the Beanstalk" a delightful and enduring adaptation of the beloved story.

PRODUCTION: "Jack and the Beanstalk" (1952) was produced by Exclusive Productions, a company formed by Lou Costello. This production marked Abbott and Costello's first color film, filmed in SuperCinecolor. The film was directed by Jean Yarbrough, a frequent collaborator with the comedy duo, who directed several of their films. The screenplay was written by Nat Curtis and Fred Freiberger, with music composed by Heinz Roemheld and orchestrations by Joseph Gershenson. Roemheld's score contributed significantly to the film's whimsical and magical atmosphere.

The film's production began in late 1951 and was shot over several weeks. Cinematography was handled by George Robinson, who used the SuperCinecolor process to create the vibrant and fantastical visual style necessary for a fairy tale setting. The film's sets were designed by Charles D. Hall, known for his work on classic Universal horror films, bringing an imaginative and detailed approach to the giant's castle and the otherworldly landscape of the beanstalk.

The casting process was led by Lou Costello himself, ensuring the film featured actors who could complement the comedic and fantastical elements of the story. Buddy Baer, a former boxer with an imposing presence, was cast as the giant, providing the perfect physicality for the role. Shaye Cogan played the princess, bringing charm and grace to the character, while Dorothy Ford was cast as the giant's housekeeper, adding another layer of humor to the film.

The production also involved several notable crew members behind the scenes. Jack Pierce, renowned for his makeup work on Universal's classic monster films, was responsible for the giant's makeup, adding to the character's menacing appearance. The film's editing was handled by Frank Gross, who ensured the pacing and comedic timing were spot-on.

Despite a tight budget and a relatively short shooting schedule, the production team managed to create a visually engaging and entertaining film. The combination of experienced crew members, vibrant color cinematography, and the comedic talents of Abbott and Costello resulted in a memorable adaptation of the classic fairy tale "Jack and the Beanstalk."

RELEASE:  "Jack and the Beanstalk" (1952) premiered on April 7, 1952, and was distributed by Warner Bros. The film marked Abbott and Costello's first venture into color filmmaking, utilizing the SuperCinecolor process to bring the fairy tale to life. Its release was highly anticipated due to the popularity of the comedy duo, who were well-known for their slapstick humor and successful run of black-and-white films throughout the 1940s and early 1950s.

Upon release, the film garnered mixed reviews from critics. Some praised the vibrant use of color and the performances of Abbott and Costello, noting that the film's musical numbers and comedic sequences provided a fresh take on the classic fairy tale. Lou Costello's portrayal of Jack was particularly highlighted for his childlike charm and physical comedy, while Bud Abbott's Mr. Dinklepuss added a humorous and scheming counterpart to the adventure.

However, some critics felt that the film's humor was uneven and that the transition from black-and-white to color did not fully capture the duo's comedic strengths. The film's pacing and deviation from traditional Abbott and Costello routines were also points of criticism. Despite these mixed reviews, the film was a commercial success, attracting families and fans of the comedy team to theaters.

Audience reactions were generally positive, with many enjoying the film's lighthearted and whimsical approach. The combination of fantasy, humor, and music appealed to a broad audience, making it a popular choice for family viewing. Children were particularly enchanted by the magical elements of the story, including the giant's castle, the beanstalk, and the various fantastical creatures Jack encounters.

The film's success at the box office demonstrated the enduring appeal of Abbott and Costello, even as they experimented with new formats and storytelling techniques. "Jack and the Beanstalk" has since become a beloved entry in the duo's filmography, remembered for its colorful adaptation of a timeless fairy tale and the unique blend of comedy and fantasy that defined its charm.

CAST:

• Bud Abbott as Mr. Dinklepuss

• Lou Costello as Jack Strong

• Buddy Baer as Police Sgt. Riley / Giant

• Dorothy Ford as Receptionist / Polly

•  Barbara Brown as Mrs. Strong

•  David Stollery as Donald Larkin

• William Farnum as King

• Johnny Conrad Dancers

• Shaye Cogan as Eloise Larkin / Princess Eloise (Darlene)

• James Alexander as Arthur / Prince 

CREW:

• Director: Jean Yarbrough

• Producer: Alex Gottlieb

• Writers: Nathaniel Curtis (screenplay), Pat Costello (story)

• Cinematography: George Robinson

• Editor: Otho Lovering

• Music: Heinz Roemheld

• Art Director: McClure Capps

Production Company: Exclusive Productions
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures

Release Date: April 12, 1952
Country of Origin: United States
Running Time: 82 minutes
Budget: $683,000
Box Office Return: $1.6 million

IMDB Rating =  5.8 / 10

TRIVIA:

• Jack and the Beanstalk marked Abbott and Costello's second foray into the world of fairy tales, following their successful adaptation of the story for radio in the 1940s.

• Lou Costello's portrayal of Jack showcases his comedic talents, blending slapstick humor with heartfelt moments that resonate with audiences of all ages.

• The film's special effects, including the creation of the giant beanstalk and the oversized world of the giants, were achieved through a combination of practical effects and matte paintings, showcasing the technical innovation of the era.

• Jack and the Beanstalk features musical sequences, including the memorable song "Darlene," performed by Lou Costello, which adds to the film's charm and whimsical atmosphere. The babysitting scene was written by Lou Costello's brother, Pat Costello, inspired by reading to his four-year-old daughter.

• Bud Abbott and Lou Costello made an independent two-picture deal, designating this film as "Lou's film" and the next as "Bud's," retaining individual ownership of each.

• The car driven by Abbott and Costello in the early black-and-white section of the movie is a 1951 Henry J, manufactured by the Kaiser-Frazer Motor Co., which could also be ordered through the Sears-Roebuck mail-order catalog.

• This was the first of only two color movies that Bud Abbott and Lou Costello made, beginning in sepiatone before transitioning to color.

• Early in the movie, when Jack (Lou Costello) meets the employment agency's receptionist (Dorothy Ford), he references the 1920s song "Has Anybody Seen My Gal?" realizing too late that he misjudged her height.

• This film marks the first time Bud Abbott wore his pencil mustache on screen, a look he would continue in subsequent films with Lou Costello.

• The film was re-released in black-and-white, rather than color.

• It is the final film of actor William Farnum.

• Following its re-release, the film fell into the public domain, allowing for numerous budget VHS/DVD editions, often of poor quality.

• Shaye Cogan and James Alexander received "introducing" credits in the film.

• In "A Tale of Two Kitties" (1942), Tweety did not have Sylvester but had two cats caricatured after Bud Abbott and Lou Costello.

• The value of a solid gold egg, as depicted in the film, can be estimated based on the density of gold and its price per ounce.

• Some townswomen in the film are the same actresses who appeared in the "I Love Lucy" episode "The Operetta," including Betty Jaynes.

• The character of Dinkelpuss was introduced to facilitate Abbott and Costello's "odd couple" routine. In the original fairy tale, Jack climbs the beanstalk alone, and the Giant's portrayal as a threat was added to enhance the narrative.

“Jack and the Beanstalk” remains a beloved adaptation of the timeless fairy tale, celebrated for its humor, imaginative storytelling, and Abbott and Costello's charismatic performances.