Independent Films, Film Profiles

Hollywood or Bust
by Frank_Tashlin

Hollywood or Bust is a film comedy starring the team of Martin and Lewis. The picture was filmed from April 16 to June 19, 1956 and released on December 6, 1956 by Paramount Pictures, almost five months after the comedy team of Martin and Lewis split up.The story follows Malcolm Smith (Jerry Lewis) as he wins a brand new automobile at a local raffle. Steve Wiley (Dean Martin), a gambler from New York, obtains a counterfeit of the winning ticket and also claims that the car is his. The raffle manager declares them both winners and that they can split the car any way that they want. Steve wants to sell the car, but Malcolm wants to drive to Hollywood to meet the actress Anita Ekberg.Steve claims to know her and agrees to drive to Hollywood with Malcolm, secretly planning to steal the car. The plan does not go along easily as Malcolm brings along his dog, a huge Great Dane named Mr. Bascomb who stops Steve in his many attempts to make off with the car.Along the way they pick up Terry (Pat Crowley), an aspiring dancer, who has a job for her waiting in Las Vegas. Once there, Malcolm gets his lucky feeling and wins $10,000 at the casino. In addition, the woman of his dreams, Anita Ekberg, is also at the hotel and Malcolm finally gets to meet her, with hilarious results.Steve begins to show a change of heart and not only agrees to go along with Malcolm to Hollywood without stealing the car, but he also proposes to Terry.Malcolm spoils the mood by telling them that he no longer has any of his casino winnings, having used it on a gift for Anita. Steve decides to retrieve the gift and they head to Paramount Pictures to locate her. After some back-lot adventures, they find Anita who agrees to return the gift in exchange for the services of Mr. Bascomb in her next movie!