That's My Boy (1951 film)

That's My Boy (1951 film) is an American comedy film directed by Hal Walker and starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Released by Paramount Pictures, it revolves around the father-son relationship between Jarring Jack Jackson (played by Eddie Mayehoff), a former football star, and his awkward, unathletic son, Junior Jackson (played by Jerry Lewis).

The film's plot centers on Jack's desperate attempts to transform Junior into a football hero, believing that athletic prowess is the key to success and happiness. He enrolls Junior in a physical fitness program and pressures him to join the football team at their university. Much of the humor arises from Junior's lack of coordination and his general ineptitude in sports, contrasted with his father's idealized memories of his own athletic achievements.

Dean Martin plays Bill Baker, a genuine football star and romantic interest for Millicent (played by Marion Marshall), who finds herself caught between Junior's awkward affections and Bill's more mature advances. The film features several comedic set pieces, including training montages, football games, and awkward social situations, all typical of the Martin and Lewis dynamic.

That's My Boy explores themes of parental expectations, the pressures of conformity, and the importance of accepting individuals for who they are, rather than who their parents wish them to be. Despite the comedic nature of the film, it touches on the emotional complexities of father-son relationships and the struggles of living up to perceived ideals.