Don't Give Up the Ship

Don't Give Up the Ship is a 1959 American comedy film directed by Norman Taurog, starring Jerry Lewis, Dina Merrill, and Diana Spencer. The movie was produced by Jerry Lewis himself and it is based on the novel "The Daring Young Man" by Richard Powell.

The plot revolves around John Paul Steckler III, a Commander in the United States Navy, who has lost his memory after a fall from horseback. As a result, he forgets about a top-secret mission and where he has left his submarine. His superiors are furious and give him one last chance to redeem himself or otherwise he will lose his job.

John's last chance comes in the form of a second chance to find his submarine and complete his mission. But he only has one week to do it or his career is over.

John decides to employ a rather unconventional approach to recover his lost memory. Instead of relying on his own skills, he seeks the help of a clairvoyant named Madame Lazonga, played by Dina Merrill. Madame Lazonga's methods, which consist of hypnotism, tarot card readings, and other questionable practices, prove to be quite unorthodox but also quite effective in helping John regain his memory.

In the meantime, John's fiancée, Sally Hobson, played by Diana Spencer, does her part to help him recover his memory by tracking down old friends, relatives, and contacts from his past. She also covers for him at the Navy, explaining to his superiors why he is acting oddly.

As John regains his memory, he remembers where his submarine is located and sets out to find it. Along the way, he runs into a series of mishaps and troubles, including attempts on his life, sabotage, and betrayals. But with the support of Sally and Madame Lazonga, John perseveres, and he eventually finds the missing submarine just in time to complete his mission and save his career.

Overall, Don't Give Up the Ship is a light-hearted comedy that relies on Jerry Lewis's signature slapstick humor and physical comedy. The movie offers a good dose of entertainment and laughs, and it is an enjoyable viewing experience for fans of the genre. Despite some of the plot's implausibilities and exaggerations, the movie remains a classic and a beloved entry in Jerry Lewis's filmography.