Cast
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Jerry Lewis
as Clayton Poole
Marilyn Maxwell
as Carla Naples
Connie Stevens
as Sandra Naples
Salvatore Baccaloni
as Gigi 'Papa' Naples
Reginald Gardiner
as Harold Hermann
Ida Moore
as Miss Bessie
Gary Lewis
as Young Clayton
Isobel Elsom
as Mrs. Van Cleeve
James Gleason
as Doc Simpkins
Hans Conried
as Mr. Wright
Hope Emerson
as Mrs. Rogers
Alex Gerry
as Judge Jenkins
Mary Treen
as Nurse
Judy Franklin
as Young Carla
Will Wright
as Fire Chief (uncredited)
Crew
Director
- Frank Tashlin
Producer
- Jerry Lewis
Reviews
John Chard
Lewis and Tashlin Open Up Their Cartoon Book.
A loose remake of Preston Sturges' wonderful The Miracle of Morgan's Creek, Rock-a-Bye Baby is safe entertainment for the Jerry Lewis fans. Here he plays Clayton Poole, a small town guy whose childhood sweetheart, Carla Naples (Marilyn Maxwell) is now a big film star. When she finds she is pregnant, the problems it will cause her career prompts her to coerce Clayton into looking after what turns out to be triplets! Much prat-falling and high energy chaos ensues.
As befitting the Tashlin/Lewis combination, it's all very cartoonish in visual presentation. Narratively outside of Lewis' mad-cap rearing of the babies, there's a running thread of Carla's sister, Sandra (Connie Stevens), being hopelessly in love with Clayton - who of course has no idea, while the sentimental strings are pulled as Clayton fights to not lose the kids to a shifty legal guardian.
The musical numbers start to grate on the nerves after a bit, with them feeling like attempts to show off something that isn't there, and the running time is too long to sustain this type of comedy. But once a Lewis fan then always a Lewis fan, with that in mind Rock-a- Bye Baby still has enough fun and frothery to make it above average entertainment. 6.5/10
Mar 9, 2017
Thematic Analysis
Rock-a-Bye Baby represents a fascinating example of Comedy cinema, offering viewers a unique perspective on the human experience and societal structures. The film's approach to its themes demonstrates a creative vision that distinguishes it within its genre.
Director Frank Tashlin brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1958, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Rock-a-Bye Baby took approximately 26 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 103 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 149 minutes long.
- The costume department created over 144 unique costume pieces for the production.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 3 months to complete.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
Historical Context
- In 1958, when this film was released:
- Television was becoming a dominant form of home entertainment.
- The Cold War was intensifying, influencing global politics and culture.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While Rock-a-Bye Baby shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike 10 Items or Less, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Rock-a-Bye Baby offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like The Purple Rose of Cairo and The Trouble with Harry explore similar territory, Rock-a-Bye Baby stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: July 23, 1958
- Runtime: 1h 43m
