You're Never Too Young is a remake of 1942 film The Major and the Minor (which itself is based on a play). Only with a gender change. It's directed by Norman Taurog and supporting Martin & Lewis are Diana Lynn, Nina Foch & Raymond Burr. Plot sees the duo caught up in a diamond robbery that entails Lewis posing as a 12 year old schoolboy to flee from the pursuing Burr. Tale unfolds at a girls school where confusion and romance reigns.
It's the same with other famous comedy double acts on the big screen, be it Laurel & Hardy, Abbott & Costello, Hope & Crosby or this here pair of Martin & Lewis; there's never a definitive movie that's considered the best from the output. You're Never Too Young has many fans, some of whom proclaim it to be the best film they made. Personally speaking I think it's OK as a time filler, but actually one of their weakest colour productions; and certainly inferior to the great Artists & Models released the same year.
Casting aside the preposterous notion at the heart of the film, since this is slapstick comedy after all, the support cast is weak (Lynn arguably the worst female support in all their movies and Burr underused) and the gags are few and far between. It's weakly plotted and half heartedly performed by Martin, even the Schwartz/Cahn musical numbers lack sparkle (yes even Dino's lukewarm rendition of Simpatico). The colour photography from Daniel L. Fapp is most appealing, as is Edith Head's costuming. But no! Even as an ardent fan of their work, I just can't agree this is anything but distinctly average. 5/10
It's the same with other famous comedy double acts on the big screen, be it Laurel & Hardy, Abbott & Costello, Hope & Crosby or this here pair of Martin & Lewis; there's never a definitive movie that's considered the best from the output. You're Never Too Young has many fans, some of whom proclaim it to be the best film they made. Personally speaking I think it's OK as a time filler, but actually one of their weakest colour productions; and certainly inferior to the great Artists & Models released the same year.
Casting aside the preposterous notion at the heart of the film, since this is slapstick comedy after all, the support cast is weak (Lynn arguably the worst female support in all their movies and Burr underused) and the gags are few and far between. It's weakly plotted and half heartedly performed by Martin, even the Schwartz/Cahn musical numbers lack sparkle (yes even Dino's lukewarm rendition of Simpatico). The colour photography from Daniel L. Fapp is most appealing, as is Edith Head's costuming. But no! Even as an ardent fan of their work, I just can't agree this is anything but distinctly average. 5/10