MovieChat Forums > The Delicate Delinquent (1958) Discussion > has several characteristics unique to Je...

has several characteristics unique to Jerry's films...

posted 13 years ago by diddymuck
2 replies | jump to latest

One, he's not the specific center of attention...a holdover from Dean and Jerry's teamwork films, Darrin McGavin got as much screen time as the J-man. The story was about Sidney and his motley area and about the police's attempts to improve the way of life of those who live there.

two, it has jarring, but welcomed moments of drama!! The latter part where uniformed Jerry is put in deep water because of his gun going off. Plus an earlier moment where the members of the gang lecture him on how pathetic a job being a cop is.

three, his co-stars were astronomical. Richard Bakalyan as Artie reminded me a lot of Dick Miller in his youth. and Robert Ivers stole the whole show with his performance as Monk, the gang leader with a growing respect for Jerry's character (whatever happened to him??). Also noted were Frank Gorshin and, of all people, Three Stooges bad-guy Kenneth McDonald.

[–] a_l_i_e_n 13 years ago

he's not the specific center of attention...a holdover from Dean and Jerry's teamwork films, Darrin McGavin got as much screen time as the J-man.

Yes, Dean bowing out of the project was certainly a lucky break for Mcgavin who got to play the co-starring role. And though Dean was a terrific comedic actor in his own right, I don't think he would have been right for the role of the cop whenever the script called for him to play it straight. It just wouldn't have been a good fit for Dean's screen persona.

[–] PaladinNJ (20308) 4 years ago

I know it was intended for Dean Martin but Darren McGavin made that role his own.