Jack and the Beanstalk

1952 "Be happy go wacky!"
5.8| 1h18m| NR| en| More Info
Released: 07 April 1952 Released
Producted By: Exclusive Productions Inc.
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Info

A young boy trades the family cow for magic beans. Ascending the beanstalk with the butcher who sold him the beans, he faces the giant terrorizing his village.

Genre

Fantasy, Comedy, Music

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Director

Jean Yarbrough

Production Companies

Exclusive Productions Inc.

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Jack and the Beanstalk Audience Reviews

Fluentiama Perfect cast and a good story
Acensbart Excellent but underrated film
Gutsycurene Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.
Humaira Grant It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.
zkonedog Every kid knows the basic story and plot elements of "Jack and the Beanstalk". Each one of those children should be shown this classic 1952 movie (they won't find it on their own) for its utterly silly, yet hilariously funny, take on the classic children's tale.For a basic plot summary, this film follows the story of "Jack and the Beanstalk" using the comedy duo of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. Some key elements are altered in order to move along the story and make it original, but the basic kernels of the tale are very much in place throughout.Simply put, this goofy little comedic romp will enthrall the kiddies and usher a wave of nostalgia for anyone older. Abbott & Costello are their usual hilarious selves, while the music numbers will, at times, have you laughing out loud at the simple hilarity! I watched this old classic numerous times as a child, and just recently watched it with a young sister. We both thoroughly enjoyed the experience, albeit for different reasons.About the only complaint I have about this movie is the poor video and especially sound quality. To my knowledge, no definitive edition of this film yet exists that has been cleaned up or truly digitized properly. A shame, considering the potential for nostalgic sales.Overall, if you have a young child who has never seen this flick, you would be doing him/her an injustice by not somehow, someway getting it on the television in front of them. Just good old fashioned humorous, music, screwball fun!
johcafra C'mon, lighten up. This was for the kids in the matinée.Even when he acts in character Bud is the consummate straight man.Lou looks like he enjoys himself. He sings quite well. He and Buddy Baer (not quite a giant but close enough to count) do their own stunts.The musical score is excellent, with lyrics at times both thoughtful and hilarious.Mel Blanc and Arthur Shields lend their voices. Dorothy Ford lends her unique perspective.Of course it looks like a cartoon. It was supposed to.You can't get the genius of "Who's On First?" in every clip of a very long-running vaudeville act.For the very young at heart.
mike48128 Released through Warner Bros.in 1952 and sadly in public domain which means bad picture and sound. (Optical soundtrack "buzz" and red pencil edit marks.) Lou Costello runs away with this one and actually sings quite well. One of only two A&C movies made in color. Uses a "Wizard of Oz" b&w (or sepia-tone depending on your version) intro and ending gimmick which doesn't seem necessary. Some of the special effects are clever, but most look cheap (fake sky backdrop, cartoon beanstalk) but they can get away with it because this is a fairy tale. Surprisingly good "castle" set because WB's "Joan of Arc" just used it! The songs are mostly forgettable (and boring) except for "Jack and the Beanstalk", I Fear Nothing" and "He Never Looked Better in His Life". Really bad dancing. (The blonde on the right has two left feet) but a good-natured, earnest production that is fun to watch in spite of it all. Made in three weeks and looks it. Buddy Baer plays the giant and looks just like Max Baer from "Mama's Little Pirate". He doesn't seem quite tall enough to be a giant. The maid and the princess so are well-endowed they almost look like pin-ups! (The maid is 6 Ft.2-she is a giant!) The golden goose is replaced by a golden hen and the talking harp is annoying. (Mel Blanc does the animal voices.) Typical A&C slapstick: exploding eggs, chases, Lou gets slapped around, yells for "Mr. Dinglepuss"(Abbott) and runs into things. "Henry" the "girl" cow wears rouge and lipstick! Short and sweet (78 min.) One of the first movies I remember seeing on a big screen, so it has a lot of nostalgic charm for me. From reading the various reviews,there are only bad copies of this film out there, made from tired "masters" that look more like work prints. (Turning down the resolution-sharpness helps "reduce" the flaws on my copy.) Good for younger children. Mild comic violence.
edwagreen Absolutely inane film starring Abbott and Costello. Even our young children would become increasingly annoyed with this complete mess of a film.Abbott as Dinklepuss. What a look he had on his face. Sure, he had to be part of this dreadful film.Did anyone notice that Costello's mother in the film sounded and looked like Fay Bainter? Luckily, for Ms. Bainter, that she wasn't in the film.There is really no excitement hear for children. The jokes, if any, are quite stale. Some of the singing is nicely done but the lyrics are ridiculous.