My Friend Irma (1949)

My Friend Irma: Directed by George Marshall. With John Lund, Diana Lynn, Don DeFore, Marie Wilson. A scatterbrained Brooklynite and her wheeler-dealer fiancé interfere in her level-headed roommate’s love life.

“Irma (Marie Wilson) is a ditsy woman whose antics made Gracie Allen seem like an Einstein. Marie Wilsonu0026#39;s dumb routine is one youu0026#39;ll either find funny or terribly annoying–I know it got on my nerves a bit after a while. However, even if you find this a bit tiresome, itu0026#39;s worth seeing just since itu0026#39;s the screen debut of the comedy team of Dean Martin u0026amp; Jerry Lewis.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe film opens with Jane (the ever-cute Diana Lynn) narrating and describing her annoying roommate, Irma. Now considering just how annoying Irma is, you do wonder why Jane has anything to do with her–especially since her long-term fiancé, Al, is a greasy user (John Lund).u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAl has just discovered a musical talent (Dean Martin) working with his friend (Jerry Lewis) at a local orange juice bar and although he knows NOTHING about the entertainment industry, lies and tells Martin he can make him a star! And, Al just assumes he can take advantage of Jane and get her to help put up Steve and Seymour (Martin u0026amp; Lewis) in the tiny apartment. Naturally, you assume that after an inauspicious introduction that Jane and Steve will become sweethearts. However, Janeu0026#39;s new boss, Mr. Rhinelander (Don Defore), has ideas about her as well.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAl is able to actually help Steve by getting him a variety of engagements at restaurants and nightclubs–which is a bit surprising. With his beautiful voice, his success isnu0026#39;t all that surprising but what is surprising (in the film and in real life) is that people liked seeing and hearing his partner sing as well! So, a few times Steveu0026#39;s great songs are interrupted or u0026#39;enhancedu0026#39; by Seymouru0026#39;s antics. Considering I usually hate musical numbers in comedies, the fact that I just wanted to hear Dean Martinu0026#39;s singing is a testament to his skills–as well as Lewisu0026#39;! Some liked Jerryu0026#39;s singing…though to me it was just painful…very, very painful–though in real life Lewis did have a nice singing voice when not hamming it up.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAs for the acting, I liked John Lund–he was pretty funny though not exactly subtle. Martin and Lynn were also good. As for Wilson and Lewis…well, they are more an acquired taste. Iu0026#39;ve seen Jerry Lewis better–and more subtle. As for Wilson…sheu0026#39;s pretty much the ditz I saw her as in other films. The less said the better. The film, despite its limitations, is enjoyable and worth seeing if you are an old time comedy fan–though itu0026#39;s far from Martin u0026amp; Lewisu0026#39; best. Not great but it sure has its moments.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eBy the way, this film has a sequel, u0026quot;My Friend Irma Goes Westu0026quot;, and itu0026#39;s not surprising, as u0026quot;My Friend Irmau0026quot; ends BEFORE the plot is fully resolved–showing they must have known theyu0026#39;d do a sequel before they even finished the first film!”