The Caddy (Paramount Pictures, 1953)

A Sweet-Natured Comedy Powered by Martin and Lewis' Chemistry.

The Caddy (1953 Paramount)

The Caddy (Paramount Pictures, 1953), directed by Norman Taurog, is a classic Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis comedy that displays the duo’s unique blend of charm, slapstick, and heartfelt moments. While it may not reach the heights of some of their other films, it’s a fun, lighthearted, and thoroughly entertaining picture that provides a perfect vehicle for their considerable talents. It’s a movie that delivers laughs while also having a surprising amount of emotional depth.

The story follows Joe Anthony (Martin), a talented but unambitious golf caddy from a family of professional golfers. His childhood friend, Harvey Miller (Lewis), is also his roommate, a goofy and wildly enthusiastic character who wants nothing more than to be Joe’s caddy and personal manager. Although initially reluctant, Joe eventually agrees to let Harvey take on the role, and together they embark on a series of comedic adventures as Joe tries to make it as a professional golfer. Much of the humor stems from Harvey’s over-the-top antics and his tendency to unintentionally sabotage Joe’s efforts on the green.

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The Caddy works primarily because of the chemistry between Martin and Lewis. Their contrasting personalities—Martin the smooth, charming crooner and Lewis the manic, unpredictable clown—create a comedic dynamic that is both hilarious and endearing. Their routines, which blend slapstick with witty banter and musical interludes, are the highlights of the film. While Lewis is often the source of the film’s more obvious comedy, Martin’s relaxed and easygoing persona is just as vital to the film’s success.

The film also features a number of memorable musical numbers, most notably the Academy Award-nominated song That’s Amore,” sung by Dean Martin. The musical interludes provide a nice change of pace from the comedy, and they display the duo’s versatility as performers. Other musical numbers, such as “The Gay Continental”, while not so well-known, are also very entertaining. These moments add a welcome touch of charm and sophistication to the movie.

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Norman Taurog’s direction is assured and well-paced, allowing the duo’s comedic talents to shine. The film’s production design is also very good, creating a believable and appealing world of golf courses and clubs. The editing, by Warren Low, keeps the film moving at a brisk pace. The cinematography is by Daniel L. Fapp, who creates some great looking sequences and uses some creative camera angles.

While The Caddy is primarily a comedy, it also touches on themes of friendship, loyalty, and the importance of pursuing one’s dreams. Beneath the slapstick and the gags, there’s a genuine warmth to the relationship between Joe and Harvey, and the film is ultimately a celebration of their bond. The supporting cast is also very strong, featuring Donna Reed as Joe’s girlfriend, Kathy Taylor, and Barbara Bates as Lisa Anthony, Joe’s sister. Their performances help to ground the movie and bring another facet of warmth to the story.

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However, the plot is not always as strong as the comedic set pieces. The narrative occasionally feels somewhat contrived, and the film relies at times on familiar comedic tropes. Despite this, the film remains highly entertaining, due in large part to the charismatic presence of its two stars. It is also true that some of the humor is rather dated.

Head of film reviews at The Viewers Guide with an erudite, insightful, slightly sardonic, deep appreciation for classic cinema. Has a habit of quoting obscure lines from old films in everyday conversation. He keeps a meticulously organized film logbook. He's a bit of a tea snob.