You’re Never Too Young (1955) starring Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Diana Lynn, Raymond Burr
You’re Never Too Young: Wilbur is a young man whose dream is to become a great barber. But, he’s working just as an assistant at a hotel’s barber shop. One day he gets involved (by mistake) in a jewel robbery. And he’s forced to disguise himself as a 12 year old boy, so that he can get away …
Review
The plot of You’re Never Too Young is basically the same as The Major and the Minor. And it’s just as unrealistic. It’s hard to believe 29 year old Jerry Lewis successfully passing himself off as a twelve year old. If you can get past that, it’s an enjoyable Martin and Lewis comedy, with a couple of twists.
Funny routines
- Jerry Lewis attempting to give a haircut to Dean Martin.
- Jerry Lewis conducting the all-girl orchestra.
- The zany water skiing chase at the end.
Cast
- Dean Martin (My Friend Irma) as Bob Miles. Teacher of althetics and music at an all-girl school.
- Jerry Lewis (The Nutty Professor) as Wilbur Hoolick. A would-be barber, who is being pursued by Noonan. Unknown to him, Noonan has slipped the stolen jewel into his pocket.
- Diana Lynn (My Friend Irma Goes West) as Nancy Collins. Bob’s fellow teacher at the all-girl school, who kindly lets “young” Wilbur sleep in her train compartment. She’s in love with Bob, but has a motherly instinct towards Wilbur. Which Wilbur misinterprets.
- Nina Foch (The Return of the Vampire) as Gretchen Brendan. The jealous daughter of the school’s headmistress. She tries to use Nancy’s letting a “man” to stay in her compartment to cause trouble with Bob. And, when that fails, to get Nancy dismissed. This forces Wilbur to continue pretending to be twelve years old, to keep Nancy out of trouble.
- Raymond Burr (Godzilla King of the Monsters) as Noonan. Jewel thief and murderer. He first slips the stolen jewel into Bob’s pocket to avoid the police finding it on him. Later, he does the same with Wilbur. But this causes Wilbur to avoid him at all costs …. Until the end of the film, where he pretends to be Wilbur’s father, to take him “home”.
- Tommy Ivo as Marty. The spoiled brat, who gives Wilbur the idea to lie about his age to travel at half the normal rate. And, Wilbur “borrows” his outfit to boot!
- Veda Ann Borg as Noonan’s wife. She tries to “romance the stone” from Wilbur, causing Wilbur to think that Noonan is a jealous husband.
- Mitzi McCall as Skeets. The young lady at the girls school, chasing “twelve year old” Wilbur.
Secondary characters
- Hans Conried as Francois the barber. The French barber, who’s hired Wilbur to sweep the floors. And, when Francois is out, Wilbur takes the opportunity to pretend to be a barber. The unfortunate customer is … Bob.
- Nancy Kulp (The Beverly Hillbillies) as the mother of the bratty Marty.
- Tor Johnson as Train Passenger. Famous for appearances in horror films, he gets a cameo.
- Hank Mann (City Lights) as Train Passenger. Famous silent film clown, also gets a cameo appearance.