Irma, das unmögliche Mädchen (1950)

Irma, das unmögliche Mädchen: Directed by Hal Walker. With John Lund, Marie Wilson, Diana Lynn, Dean Martin. En route to Hollywood, singer Steve, his partner Seymour and fiancée Jane, Jane’s airheaded roommate Irma, and Irma’s con artist fiancé Al have a series of misadventures and end up involved with a murderous gang.

“As in the first film, u0026quot;My Friend Irma,u0026quot; John Lund has the funniest role in this film, with Marie Wilsonu0026#39;s Irma in second place. Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis afford some comedy, but Jerryu0026#39;s Seymour again has some scenes that are very dated and just donu0026#39;t tickle the funny bone two decades into the 21st century. And that goes for older funny bones (from pre mid-20th century) to the young ones of today.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eJerryu0026#39;s one very funny scenario is his playing canasta with a chimpanzee on the train. But, John Lundu0026#39;s Al can get laughs just on his persona – how he plays the role as a street mug, or when he calls Irma, u0026quot;Chicken.u0026quot;u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe funniest scene in the whole film is when Al is sitting at a table ready to take some chump in poker. A meek-looking patsy comes by and asks to be able to play. This is Lloyd Corrigan playing a character named Sharpie Corrigan – only Al doesnu0026#39;t know his name or who he is.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAfter Al gives the guy the cards too shuffle, the scene shifts to his hands. I donu0026#39;t know who the card expert was whose hands we see, but I donu0026#39;t think thereu0026#39;s ever been a better or more accomplished scene of card shuffling in another movie. Besides a couple usual trick handling of the cards, this pair of hands splits the deck with half a deck of cards fanning out in each hand. He then melds to two hands together – not one hand on top of the other, but interspersing the cards. Iu0026#39;ve never seen anything like it before.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe scene then shows Alu0026#39;s face with a look of disbelief, and he comments about the guy never having played before, to which Sharpie replies that he played some other cards games. But now he deals five cards, one at a time to each of them. The game is straight five-card draw poker. Al looks at his cards and bets $200. Sharpie raises it $200. They go back and forth with raises, then Al says he doesnu0026#39;t need any cards. Sharpie doesnu0026#39;t take any cards either, so Al passes. Sharpie bets $200 and Al calls him. Al then lays down a straight. Sharpie asks him what will beat a straight and Al says a flush. Sharpie says he doesnu0026#39;t have a flush, and Al starts to rake in the pot when Sharpie says he has a full house. Al asks how he knows, when he hasnu0026#39;t even looked at his cards yet – and Sharpie holds up the full house for Al to see, without ever looking at the cards himself.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe expressions, of both characters during this hand of cards is half the comedy of this scene. Itu0026#39;s too bad that the movie didnu0026#39;t have more comedy like this. Jerry has a far-out segment dressed as an Indian brave, trying to make a smoke signal, and then sneaking around to a crooks hideout. Besides the two scenes mentioned above, this film has some very funny lines. But for those, Iu0026#39;m not sure younger audiences today would find this film very funny. Itu0026#39;s probably mostly for diehard Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis fans. Dean sings a couple of songs and those help the film some.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eHere are the best funny lines in this film.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eJane Stacey, u0026quot;I wonder if Steveu0026#39;s photogenic.u0026quot; Irma Peterson, u0026quot;Why of course not. Heu0026#39;s as healthy as a horse.u0026quot;u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIrma Peterson, after they see Yvonne kiss Steve on TV, u0026quot;Oh, donu0026#39;t be upset, Jane. Thatu0026#39;s just the French way of shaking hands. I… itu0026#39;s like when the Germans are leaving and they say, u0026#39;gesundheit.u0026#39;u0026quot;u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eJane Stacey, u0026quot;I believe you, honey, and I donu0026#39;t mean to be jealous. Itu0026#39;s just that thereu0026#39;s something about you that… that makes me hate all other women.u0026quot;u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAl, u0026quot;Holy smoke! Shanghaied by a screwball.u0026quot;u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIrma Peterson, u0026quot;Oh, donu0026#39;t be angry at Jane. Remember, itu0026#39;s better to give than receive.u0026quot; Al, u0026quot;What has that got to do with this murderous situation?? Irma, u0026quot;Oh, nothing, Al. I just thought it was a good time to quote someone.u0026quot;u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIrma Peterson, u0026quot;Oh, Al, did you see the moon?u0026quot; Al, u0026quot;Why, is it missing?u0026quot;u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIrma Peterson, u0026quot;Oh, when I think of marrying you, I could stay sick forever.u0026quot;u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIrma Peterson, u0026quot;You didnu0026#39;t say anything about my new bathing suit.u0026quot; Al, u0026quot;You got one on?u0026quot; Ima, u0026quot;Oh, Al, donu0026#39;t you pay any attention?u0026quot; Al, u0026quot;Chicken, with the problems Iu0026#39;ve got on my mind, you could be wearing a suit of armor and I wouldnu0026#39;t notice.u0026quot;u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAl, u0026quot;Now, chicken, run along and rejoice in your good fortune. Before long you will be Mrs. Al.u0026quot; Irma Peterson, u0026quot;Oh, Mrs. Al.u0026quot;u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIrma Peterson, u0026quot;Well, Jane, youu0026#39;re wrong. He wasnu0026#39;t a quack doctor. Heu0026#39;s a lumberjack.u0026quot;u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIrma Peterson, u0026quot;Although Iu0026#39;ve been engaged for five years, Iu0026#39;ve never had any children. I wanna be a mother.u0026quot; Pete, u0026quot;Itu0026#39;d be better for your kids if I bump you off.u0026quot;”