The Big Mouth
While fishing on a San Diego beach, Gerald Clamson catches ... a sea diver! Even more weird, the "fish" resembles him. The man, who is not (yet) dead, reveals his secret to the peaceful angler: he is in fact a mobster who has cheated his associates out of their diamonds. What does not help Gerald at all is that the other hoods are persuaded HE is the double-crosser they are supposed to have done away with. Will he get himself out of such a tight situation? He will of course, but not without a little help from Suzie, the girl he only has eyes for!
1 nomination
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%)
The Big Mouth (1967) demonstrates precise story structure, characteristic of Jerry Lewis's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 47 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Gerald Clamson
Syd Valentine
Suzie Cartwright
Mr. Hodges
Main Cast & Characters
Gerald Clamson
Played by Jerry Lewis
A meek bank auditor who becomes embroiled in a diamond heist after being mistaken for a gangster
Syd Valentine
Played by Jerry Lewis
A dying gangster who hides stolen diamonds and resembles Gerald
Suzie Cartwright
Played by Susan Bay
Gerald's girlfriend who gets caught up in the dangerous situation
Mr. Hodges
Played by Harold J. Stone
Gerald's stern boss at the bank who adds pressure to his life
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Gerald Clamson is introduced as a mild-mannered, clumsy fisherman enjoying a peaceful day of deep-sea fishing off the California coast, establishing his ordinary, unremarkable existence.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Gerald pulls the dying Syd Valentine from the ocean - a man who is his exact double. Before dying, Valentine reveals he has hidden diamonds and inadvertently makes Gerald the target of dangerous criminals.. At 12% 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 Gerald makes the active choice to impersonate Syd Valentine, deciding to play along with the mistaken identity rather than expose himself. He commits to finding the diamonds before the gangsters do., moving from reaction to action.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Gerald discovers the location of the hidden diamonds and believes he's about to solve everything. This false victory gives him confidence, but it also raises the stakes as multiple criminal factions now converge on his position., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 80 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Gerald is captured by the gangsters and unmasked as an impostor. The criminals prepare to kill him, and he sees no way out. His dream of heroism dies as he faces the brutal reality of the criminal world he foolishly entered., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 86 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Gerald realizes that his clumsiness and apparent weakness are actually his greatest weapons. The gangsters underestimate him because they see Valentine's face but Gerald's incompetence. He decides to embrace who he is and use chaos as his ally., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Big Mouth's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping The Big Mouth against these established plot points, we can identify how Jerry Lewis utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Big Mouth within the action genre.
Jerry Lewis's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Jerry Lewis films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Big Mouth takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jerry Lewis filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more Jerry Lewis analyses, see The Errand Boy, The Bellboy and The Patsy.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Gerald Clamson is introduced as a mild-mannered, clumsy fisherman enjoying a peaceful day of deep-sea fishing off the California coast, establishing his ordinary, unremarkable existence.
Theme
The dying Syd Valentine tells Gerald that looks can be deceiving and that the man who appears weakest might hold all the cards - foreshadowing how Gerald's unassuming nature will ultimately be his greatest asset.
Worldbuilding
Gerald's simple life as a fisherman is established alongside the criminal underworld seeking Syd Valentine's stolen diamonds. We see Gerald's clumsiness, his isolation, and the dangerous gangsters who will soon pursue him.
Disruption
Gerald pulls the dying Syd Valentine from the ocean - a man who is his exact double. Before dying, Valentine reveals he has hidden diamonds and inadvertently makes Gerald the target of dangerous criminals.
Resistance
Gerald struggles with whether to pursue the diamonds or go to the police. He's repeatedly mistaken for Valentine by various criminals and must decide whether to play along or flee. His bumbling attempts to navigate this crisis reveal his fundamental decency.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Gerald makes the active choice to impersonate Syd Valentine, deciding to play along with the mistaken identity rather than expose himself. He commits to finding the diamonds before the gangsters do.
Mirror World
Gerald meets Suzie, a woman connected to the criminal world who sees through his Valentine disguise but finds his genuine awkwardness endearing. She represents the authentic connection Gerald has never had.
Premise
Gerald bumbles through the criminal underworld as "Syd Valentine," creating chaos at every turn. His trademark clumsiness becomes an unlikely asset as gangsters can't predict his accidental escapes. Classic Jerry Lewis physical comedy ensues as he navigates nightclubs, hideouts, and dangerous encounters.
Midpoint
Gerald discovers the location of the hidden diamonds and believes he's about to solve everything. This false victory gives him confidence, but it also raises the stakes as multiple criminal factions now converge on his position.
Opposition
The gangsters grow increasingly violent and suspicious. Gerald's disguise begins to unravel as criminals compare notes. The police also close in, complicating his situation. Suzie is threatened, and Gerald realizes his fumbling has put others in danger.
Collapse
Gerald is captured by the gangsters and unmasked as an impostor. The criminals prepare to kill him, and he sees no way out. His dream of heroism dies as he faces the brutal reality of the criminal world he foolishly entered.
Crisis
Held captive, Gerald confronts his own weakness and fears. He thinks of Suzie and realizes that his desire to be someone else - to be Valentine - meant rejecting who he truly is. The meek fisherman must find inner strength.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Gerald realizes that his clumsiness and apparent weakness are actually his greatest weapons. The gangsters underestimate him because they see Valentine's face but Gerald's incompetence. He decides to embrace who he is and use chaos as his ally.
Synthesis
Gerald unleashes calculated chaos, using his bumbling nature to create confusion among the gangsters. His accidental pratfalls become tactical advantages. With Suzie's help and the timely arrival of police, the criminals are apprehended and the diamonds recovered.
Transformation
Gerald, no longer pretending to be anyone else, stands proudly with Suzie. He may still be clumsy, but he's proven that an ordinary man can be heroic. The fisherman who rescued a drowning gangster has become someone who can rescue himself.