Abbott and Costello wanted to make color films, but Universal Pictures did not, so Lou's independent film company, Exclusive Productions, funded and produced Jack and the Beanstalk (1952). Even though it had the full backing of Lou Costello, as well as Bud, this film was still considered an independent film production and it shows in some of its design. The boys still give the audience a good performance, albeit on the kids side of the equation. By 1952 Bud and Lou had been relegated to the "just for kids", type-of audience. The boys style of comedy had evolved more towards a younger audience. The musical interludes, acting and over-all quality in Jack and the Beanstalk (1952), seemed average at best. Bud's singing voice is obviously dubbed. There is however, inherit qualities to the film, that makes it worth watching. It does give a good effort, even though the cash wasn't there.
The allure to this film is all about Bud and Lou. The greatness that they expressed from the movie screen in the 1940s, is what kept this 1950s film afloat. It shows how wonderful they were, even in an average film. It shows how dedicated they were to their craft. There are some cool, stylized animations, drawn backgrounds and art designs, that depict the beanstalk fairly well. There are a couple of cringeworthy, creepy characters, that pop up in the film however. The Giant has a magical, talking harp, that also talks. It is constructed with a wooden head nailed to the top of the harp. The wood-carved, puppet-looking head, is oddly designed and it seemed creepy. Another oddly depicted character was Jack's (Lou Costello), cow, Henry. Henry has red make-up and lipstick smeared on her nose and cheeks, in an attempt to remind the audience, that Henry is a female. When she begins to cry, because Jack has to sell her, it looks like the poor animal was punched in the face. The idea just wasn't executed well.
The story found in Jack and the Beanstalk (1952), does utilize all of the entertaining aspects, about the fairy tale of Jack and the Beanstalk. However, some of the pacing, related to bad songs and an over-all, B-movie atmosphere, brings this film down to E For Effort level. Also remember, that Jack and the Beanstalk (1952), was produced, with the opening/closing scenes in sepia-tone and the rest of the film in color. The VHS era and airings of the film on television, has spawned versions of Jack and the Beanstalk (1952), that have the opening/closing scenes in black and white. Make sure you are watching the color/sepia-tone version of the film, since that is the originally intended version of the film. The copyright for Jack and the Beanstalk (1952), was never renewed by the last owner, RKO Pictures, so it has been in public domain status for the last 45 years. You can find many different versions of this film on YouTube.
5.1 (E+ MyGrade) = 5 IMDB.
The allure to this film is all about Bud and Lou. The greatness that they expressed from the movie screen in the 1940s, is what kept this 1950s film afloat. It shows how wonderful they were, even in an average film. It shows how dedicated they were to their craft. There are some cool, stylized animations, drawn backgrounds and art designs, that depict the beanstalk fairly well. There are a couple of cringeworthy, creepy characters, that pop up in the film however. The Giant has a magical, talking harp, that also talks. It is constructed with a wooden head nailed to the top of the harp. The wood-carved, puppet-looking head, is oddly designed and it seemed creepy. Another oddly depicted character was Jack's (Lou Costello), cow, Henry. Henry has red make-up and lipstick smeared on her nose and cheeks, in an attempt to remind the audience, that Henry is a female. When she begins to cry, because Jack has to sell her, it looks like the poor animal was punched in the face. The idea just wasn't executed well.
The story found in Jack and the Beanstalk (1952), does utilize all of the entertaining aspects, about the fairy tale of Jack and the Beanstalk. However, some of the pacing, related to bad songs and an over-all, B-movie atmosphere, brings this film down to E For Effort level. Also remember, that Jack and the Beanstalk (1952), was produced, with the opening/closing scenes in sepia-tone and the rest of the film in color. The VHS era and airings of the film on television, has spawned versions of Jack and the Beanstalk (1952), that have the opening/closing scenes in black and white. Make sure you are watching the color/sepia-tone version of the film, since that is the originally intended version of the film. The copyright for Jack and the Beanstalk (1952), was never renewed by the last owner, RKO Pictures, so it has been in public domain status for the last 45 years. You can find many different versions of this film on YouTube.
5.1 (E+ MyGrade) = 5 IMDB.