Artists and Models Reviews

Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis provide the laughs as roommates who, as usual, come up with a formula for success only to get in way over their heads. Rick Todd (Martin), a not-quite starving artist, uses the sleeptalking of his roommate, Eugene Fullstack (Lewis), as the inspiration for a comic strip that soon becomes all the rage. But because Eugene's nighttime monologs involve espionage, the duo is soon investigated by real secret agents. Meanwhile, model Bessie Sparrowbush (Shirley MacLaine) and Abigail Parker (Dorothy Malone), who live in the same rooming house as the fellas, have fallen for Rick and Eugene, though the guys are more interested in the seductive Sonia (Eva Gabor) and pneumatic Anita (Anita Ekberg). The picture winds up happily but tamely at the Artists and Models Ball--a less-than-satisfying conclusion to a not particularly satisfying film. As expected Martin sings and Lewis mugs, but the film's funniest moments are provided by Eddie Mayehoff as the comic book publisher. The film also offers the memorable "Inamorata," sung by Martin and later used in a dance number pertly performed by MacLaine. Other tunes include "Lucky Song," "You Look So Familiar," and a particularly appealing tune, "Why You Pretend," done by Martin and Lewis in their dingy room as a tuneful commentary on their lack of food.