Artists and Models
Rick Todd and Eugene Fullstack share an apartment and have dreams for the future. Rick is an aspiring artist looking for a break. Eugene loves comic books, especially The Bat Lady series. He is so engrossed with her stories that he has nightmares and dreams of his own comic book characters. Their luck begins to change when Abby Parker is fired as the artist for the Bat Lady. Rick pitches his own comic book series and Eugene gets to meet Bessie Sparrowbrush, who, unbeknown to him, is the artist's model the Bat Lady. Rivalry and romance ensues for all four of them, with several song and dance numbers along the way.
Despite its tight budget of $1.5M, Artists and Models became a box office success, earning $3.8M worldwide—a 153% return.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Artists and Models (1955) exhibits precise story structure, characteristic of Frank Tashlin's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 50 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Rick Todd
Eugene Fullstack
Abigail Parker
Sonia
Mr. Murdock
Anita
Main Cast & Characters
Rick Todd
Played by Dean Martin
An aspiring artist who struggles to make ends meet and creates children's book illustrations based on his roommate's dreams.
Eugene Fullstack
Played by Jerry Lewis
A comic book writer with vivid dreams that unknowingly contain secret government information, which Rick uses for inspiration.
Abigail Parker
Played by Dorothy Malone
A beautiful model and aspiring actress who becomes Rick's love interest and helps uncover the spy plot.
Sonia
Played by Eva Gabor
A sophisticated artist's model and secret spy who uses her connections to steal government secrets.
Mr. Murdock
Played by Eddie Mayehoff
The bombastic publisher of comic books who hires Rick and Eugene for their "Bat Lady" comic series.
Anita
Played by Shirley MacLaine
Abigail's roommate and fellow model who provides comic relief and romantic subplot with Eugene.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Rick Todd (Dean Martin) and Eugene Fullstack (Jerry Lewis) are struggling roommates in New York. Rick is a frustrated artist who can't sell his serious paintings, while Eugene is a children's book writer obsessed with comic books who has vivid nightmares.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Rick discovers that Eugene's nightmares contain detailed storylines perfect for comic books. He realizes he can sketch Eugene's dream narratives and sell them to comic publishers, potentially solving their financial problems.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Rick actively chooses to sell Eugene's dream stories to a comic book publisher without Eugene's knowledge, entering a world of deception and commercial success. They're hired and enter the professional comic book industry., moving from reaction to action.
At 55 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat False defeat: Eugene's dreams inadvertently contain secret government information about a weapons project. Foreign spies become interested in the comic books, raising the stakes from personal deception to international espionage. The fun and games are over., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 82 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Eugene discovers Rick has been exploiting his dreams. Their friendship collapses. Bessie rejects Rick for his dishonesty. The spies kidnap Eugene or make their move. Rick loses everything - his best friend, his romantic relationship, and Eugene is in danger., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 87 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Rick synthesizes what he's learned: genuine friendship and honesty matter more than success through deception. He combines his artistic talents with his street smarts and loyalty to Eugene to rescue his friend and stop the spies, choosing integrity over self-interest., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Artists and Models's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Artists and Models against these established plot points, we can identify how Frank Tashlin utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Artists and Models within the comedy genre.
Frank Tashlin's Structural Approach
Among the 8 Frank Tashlin films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Artists and Models takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Frank Tashlin filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Frank Tashlin analyses, see Cinderfella, The Disorderly Orderly and The Geisha Boy.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Rick Todd (Dean Martin) and Eugene Fullstack (Jerry Lewis) are struggling roommates in New York. Rick is a frustrated artist who can't sell his serious paintings, while Eugene is a children's book writer obsessed with comic books who has vivid nightmares.
Theme
Eugene's landlady or Rick suggests that commercial success sometimes requires compromising artistic integrity - establishing the theme of art versus commerce, dreams versus reality.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to their struggling artist lifestyle, their neighbor Abigail Parker (Shirley MacLaine) and Bessie Sparrowbush (Dorothy Malone), Rick's attempts to sell paintings, Eugene's comic book obsession, and his increasingly detailed nightmares about "Bat Lady" and "Vincent the Vulture."
Disruption
Rick discovers that Eugene's nightmares contain detailed storylines perfect for comic books. He realizes he can sketch Eugene's dream narratives and sell them to comic publishers, potentially solving their financial problems.
Resistance
Rick debates whether to exploit Eugene's dreams without telling him. He begins secretly recording Eugene's nighttime ravings and creating comic book art. They meet publishers and the girls become more involved in their lives. Rick wrestles with the ethics of his plan.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Rick actively chooses to sell Eugene's dream stories to a comic book publisher without Eugene's knowledge, entering a world of deception and commercial success. They're hired and enter the professional comic book industry.
Mirror World
The romantic subplot deepens as Rick pursues Bessie and Eugene bonds with Abigail. Abigail represents genuine acceptance and honesty, contrasting with Rick's deception - she embodies the thematic truth that real relationships require honesty.
Premise
The fun of the premise: Rick and Eugene work in the comic book industry, attend parties, romance the girls, and enjoy newfound success. Musical numbers, comedy routines, and the glamorous world of 1950s New York publishing. Eugene remains blissfully unaware his dreams are being exploited.
Midpoint
False defeat: Eugene's dreams inadvertently contain secret government information about a weapons project. Foreign spies become interested in the comic books, raising the stakes from personal deception to international espionage. The fun and games are over.
Opposition
Pressure intensifies as spies close in, Eugene begins to suspect Rick's deception, the women discover the truth about the stolen dreams, and government agents investigate. Rick's lies catch up with him both romantically and professionally. The espionage plot escalates.
Collapse
Eugene discovers Rick has been exploiting his dreams. Their friendship collapses. Bessie rejects Rick for his dishonesty. The spies kidnap Eugene or make their move. Rick loses everything - his best friend, his romantic relationship, and Eugene is in danger.
Crisis
Rick faces the consequences of his deception in darkness and isolation. He must confront that his pursuit of commercial success through dishonesty has cost him what truly matters. He processes his guilt and finds new resolve to make things right.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Rick synthesizes what he's learned: genuine friendship and honesty matter more than success through deception. He combines his artistic talents with his street smarts and loyalty to Eugene to rescue his friend and stop the spies, choosing integrity over self-interest.
Synthesis
The finale: Rick and Eugene reunite to outwit the foreign spies, government agents arrive to help, the espionage plot is resolved through comedy and action. Rick confesses everything and asks for forgiveness. Eugene forgives Rick. The couples reunite. Resolution of both plot and theme.
Transformation
Final image mirrors the opening: Rick and Eugene are still roommates and artists, but now Rick pursues honest work and their friendship is stronger, built on truth rather than exploitation. The women are integrated into their lives as true partners. Artistic integrity and friendship triumph over commercial deception.