Watch Scared Stiff
- NR
- 1953
- 1 hr 48 min
-
6.3 (2,250)
Scared Stiff is a delightful horror-comedy film from 1953 that stars the dynamic duo of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, alongside actress Lizabeth Scott. It is directed by George Marshall and produced by Hal B. Wallis. The movie kicks off with the story of Mary Carroll (Lizabeth Scott), a beautiful nightclub singer who is desperate to escape her gangster ex-boyfriend. She convinces her best friend, nightclub busboy Myron Mertz (Jerry Lewis), to accompany her to the exotic island of Cuba, where she has a job lined up as a singer at a swanky hotel.
However, things take a spooky turn as soon as they arrive at the hotel. They learn that the hotel is haunted by the ghost of a former owner, who was murdered by his wife and her lover. Meanwhile, a group of gangsters are after Mary, who they believe possesses hidden jewels that belonged to her ex-boyfriend.
Myron, who is a scaredy-cat by nature, is terrified by the idea of staying in a haunted hotel. However, he must overcome his fears and help Mary out of her predicament before it's too late.
Dean Martin plays the role of Larry Todd, a famous singer who is also staying at the hotel. He teams up with Myron to help solve the mystery of the ghostly goings-on at the hotel. Along the way, they encounter a cast of colorful characters, including a voodoo priestess, a muscle-bound henchman, and the ghost of the hotel's former owner.
Scared Stiff is a riotous blend of horror, comedy and music. The film features several musical numbers performed by Dean Martin and Lizabeth Scott, including the classics "You're My Right Kind of Person" and "The Money Song". Jerry Lewis, as always, is hilarious with his physical comedy and comically neurotic portrayal of Myron.
The film is shot in vibrant Technicolor and features stunning set pieces that bring the luxurious hotel and spooky mansion settings to life. The spooky costumes and makeup used to create the ghost characters are particularly impressive.
The plot of the film is a little bit convoluted, but that just adds to the fun as the characters stumble from one bizarre situation to the next. The climax of the film is particularly memorable, with a spectacular chase scene that involves a spinning revolving bookcase.
Overall, Scared Stiff is an entertaining and light-hearted romp that showcases the comedic talents of Martin and Lewis. It's a film that can be enjoyed by horror fans and comedy lovers alike.
Scared Stiff is a 1953 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 48 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.