The Sad Sack
Private Meredith Bixby is so out of step in the Army that his six weeks of planned basic training has now stretched to 17 months. After he loses a tank, WAC Major Shelton, a psychologist, is assigned to make a good soldier out of him. She requests Corporal Dolan and Private Stan Wensalawsky to help with the training. Dolan and Stan both have scores to settle with Bixby and their "guidance" leads to more mishaps. Sergeant Pulley has them shipped out to Morocco. On leave in North Africa, Bixy wanders alone into a bar, has a few Moroccan Delights, which he thinks are malted milks, and becomes convinced that exotic singer-dancer Zita is THE girl for him.
Insights
Plot Summary
A meek and unassuming butcher's assistant, Stanley Clements, is drafted into the Army. He is terribly clumsy and prone to accidents, causing constant consternation for his superiors. Despite his lack of military prowess, Stanley somehow finds himself involved in a series of comedic misadventures while serving overseas.
Critical Reception
The Sad Sack received generally negative reviews from critics, who often found its humor to be juvenile and predictable. However, it performed reasonably well at the box office, benefiting from Jerry Lewis's established comedic popularity at the time.
What Reviewers Say
- Relies heavily on Jerry Lewis's slapstick and character-driven humor.
- Pacing and plot are often criticized as being weak.
- Considered one of Lewis's less memorable films by many critics.
Google audience: Audience reception is mixed, with some viewers finding the film's humor amusing due to Jerry Lewis's performance, while others find it dated and unfunny.
Fun Fact
The film's setting in a military context was a popular theme for comedies during the post-World War II era, and Jerry Lewis often played characters who were out of their element, leading to comedic situations.
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