MONEY FROM HOME

New Zealand Listener, Volume 31, Issue 790, 10 September 1954, Page 26

MONEY FROM HOME

(Hal Wallis-Paramount) ROADWAY of the Twenties-and in particular that area (within gunshot of Mindy’s restaurant) so uniquely cele-

brated by Damon Runyon-is as well established in American folklore as the West, and in its screen representations is generally much more amusing. Money from Home, which is (ominous phrase!) "based on" a Runyon story, begins cheerily enough by sketching in the Mindy purlieus. Even Dean Martin, as Honeytalk Nelson, a smooth but permanently impecunious citizen, seems well translated. But Honeytalk is in deep. His outstanding liabilities (3450 potatoes) have been taken over by the local Capone who demands repayment or, alternatively, the "fixing" of a horse(continued on next page)

a rene (continued from previous page) race in which he is himself heavily committed. In the event of default, it is intimated, Mr. Nelson will find himself under Brooklyn Bridge wearing a concrete kimono. To avoid this embarrassing contretemps, Honeytalk calls in his cousin, an apprentice horse~doector (Jerry Lewis), and that just about puts finis to the Runyon element in the story. Lewis’s style of mincing farce doesn’t mix with- Runyon’s sharper humour, and from here on the Runyon characters make only fitful appearances. If you like the Jerry Lewis type of comedy, this is the type of comedy you'll like. But I can’t say he attracts me much, even in Technicolor.