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) reveals strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Jerry Lewis's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-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.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Gerald Clamson is established as a meek, timid man on vacation at the beach with his family, representing his ordinary world as a harmless nobody.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when A dying gangster who looks identical to Gerald washes ashore and whispers the location of hidden diamonds to him before dying, dragging Gerald into a dangerous criminal world.. 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.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Gerald appears to find the diamond location or gets captured by the main criminals, a false defeat where the stakes are raised and the danger becomes very real., 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 villains or loses the diamonds just as he finds them, hitting his lowest point where death seems imminent and all hope appears lost., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 86 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The finale where Gerald confronts the criminals, uses his wits and bumbling nature to outsmart them, recovers the diamonds, and resolves the mistaken identity chaos in a comedic climax., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Big Mouth's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. 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 Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Jerry Lewis analyses, see The Errand Boy, The Ladies Man and The Bellboy.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Gerald Clamson is established as a meek, timid man on vacation at the beach with his family, representing his ordinary world as a harmless nobody.
Theme
A character mentions that appearances can be deceiving and people aren't always what they seem, foreshadowing the mistaken identity that drives the story.
Worldbuilding
Setup of Gerald's timid personality, his beach vacation, and the parallel world of criminals and a dying gangster who has hidden diamonds worth a fortune.
Disruption
A dying gangster who looks identical to Gerald washes ashore and whispers the location of hidden diamonds to him before dying, dragging Gerald into a dangerous criminal world.
Resistance
Gerald debates what to do with the information, hesitates about getting involved, and begins to realize that criminals are after him thinking he's the dead gangster or knows where the diamonds are.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The fun and games of Gerald bumbling through the criminal underworld, comic misunderstandings due to his resemblance to the gangster, and various attempts to find the diamonds while evading criminals.
Midpoint
Gerald appears to find the diamond location or gets captured by the main criminals, a false defeat where the stakes are raised and the danger becomes very real.
Opposition
Criminals close in from all sides, Gerald's bumbling becomes more dangerous, his identity confusion intensifies, and everyone is converging on the diamond location.
Collapse
Gerald is captured by the villains or loses the diamonds just as he finds them, hitting his lowest point where death seems imminent and all hope appears lost.
Crisis
Gerald faces his darkest moment, confronting his cowardice and realizing he must find courage within himself to survive and save the day.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The finale where Gerald confronts the criminals, uses his wits and bumbling nature to outsmart them, recovers the diamonds, and resolves the mistaken identity chaos in a comedic climax.