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A Reel Life film section

Autumn 2009


Way ... Way Out (1966) movie review

The fertilizer has hit the ventilator.

At the turn of the 20th century on a mythical planet called Earth, two fictitious countries the U.S.A. and the U.S.S.R. have weather stations on the moon. The world is at peace, or "at least what passes for peace".

The Russians have sent a man and a woman for the one-year assignment. The American team - a weathernaut and a astronomer have deterioriated. The Russian woman has attracted unwanted attention and now one man has tied the other up. At the last minute a conveniently American married couple end in shouts and calls to (his) mother.

Now Pete Mattemore (Jerry Lewis) has to step up, marry one of the two qualified N.A.S.A. female astronomers, and blast off into the greatest adventure a man and woman could embark upon.

Movie poster, Way ... Way Out; Festivale film review

Movie poster, Way ... Way Out; Festivale film review

Once Upon A Time In 1989, The Americans And The Russian Went To The Moon

Eileen Forbes (Connie Stevens) is the woman who must be persuaded to go. She proposes an arranged, platonic marriage between "two intelligent people who can trust themselves".

I know I'll probably go out of my mind, but I would much going crazy with you

The sets and costumes, as well as the humour and film style are firmly of the 1960s.

Way ... Way Out is one of Lewis'less broad performance. It is easy to remember his slapstick stooge and forget that Jerry Lewis is a consumate and thoughtful professional.

This is "soft science fiction", a comedy story about people and relationships using SF to create the background and setting.

Despite the vintage of the film and the dating of the technology and style, Way ... Way Out can still provide 101 minutes of light romantic comedy.

Jerry Lewis and Lewis also appeared together in Rock-a-Bye Baby (1958)

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by Ali Kayn
Released 1966
For credits and official site details, see below
Search Festivale for more work by the film-makers below.

See also: Way, Way Out; The Nutty Professor; Visit to a Small Planet
Jerry Lewis Interview

Just the facts:

Title: Way ... Way Out (1966)
Written by: William Bowers & Laslo Vadnay
Directed by: Gordon Douglas
running time: 101 mins


The Players: Jerry Lewis, Connie Stevens, Robert Morley, Anita Ekberg, James Brolin, Brian Keith,


Official website:
IMDb entry


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