Much like Jerry Lewis at the time, this movie doesn’t know what it wants to be.

I was curious to revisit this one. I saw it many times as a kid, and liked it despite not being able to follow it very well. I now realize it’s because this movie blazes through plot so it can waste time with nonsense comedy bits that aren’t funny.

It’s frustrating because there’s a decent and affective movie in here. There are moments of genuine sweetness and sincerity that, for all their sentimentality, I find fairly moving. But it’s all bogged down.

Jerry Lewis can’t decide if he wants to be a comedian, a dramatic actor, or a crooner. Consequently, he does okay at the dramatics and subpar with the rest. A few funny moments land. Most of the songs don’t.

As I said, the whole things confused. Is it a slapstick comedy? A romance? Is it Hollywood satire? It’s a musical? 

On top of all that, a lot of outdated stereotypes and patently racist jokes sour the whole thing. Despite myself, I have some small affection for it. Nostalgia is the only thing bringing me back to this one, and even that’s pretty well worn off by the film’s ridiculous conclusion.

Much like Jerry Lewis at the time, this movie doesn’t know what it wants to be.

I was curious to revisit this one. I saw it many times as a kid, and liked it despite not being able to follow it very well. I now realize it’s because this movie blazes through plot so it can waste time with nonsense comedy bits that aren’t funny.

It’s frustrating because there’s a decent and affective movie in here. There are moments of genuine sweetness and sincerity that, for all their sentimentality, I find fairly moving. But it’s all bogged down.

Jerry Lewis can’t decide if he wants to be a comedian, a dramatic actor, or a crooner. Consequently, he does okay at the dramatics and subpar with the rest. A few funny moments land. Most of the songs don’t.

As I said, the whole things confused. Is it a slapstick comedy? A romance? Is it Hollywood satire? It’s a musical? 

On top of all that, a lot of outdated stereotypes and patently racist jokes sour the whole thing. Despite myself, I have some small affection for it. Nostalgia is the only thing bringing me back to this one, and even that’s pretty well worn off by the film’s ridiculous conclusion.

jerry’s face card never declines

jerry’s face card never declines

It doesn't take long to figure out if this movie is for you or not. Right away, we open with a musical number. Okay... Didn't know this was a musical and also it seems to take place outside of the movie, like it's just a Lewis performance while the opening credits role. He's a good singer, so it's not a bad experience, but it has nothing to do with the movie other than it's a song called Rock-A-Bye Baby. Then we get Jerry Lewis's version of comedy which falls somewhere between Chapplin and Robin Williams. He's a charismatic guy and I like him, but his humor isn't for me. His slapstick isn't as over the top as I wanted and most of what he does is just be awkward and weird. The story isn't much beyond "Jerry Lewis has to watch triplets" and they don't do much with it. There weren't any good scenes of him struggling with that and it was kind of boring. The highlight of the film happens in the first fifteen minutes with a fun scene of Lewis and a high pressure fire hose. After that I guess we're just supposed to like Jerry enough to sit through another hour and a half. There were multiple skits that went on way too long, especially when I didn't think they were working. I love Chapplin and Harold Lloyd and I think their brand of comedy is timeless. I don't know if we've outgrown Jerry Lewis (there were multiple Asian stereotypes that wouldn't fly today), if I just picked a bad Jerry Lewis movie, or if I was just not in the right mood, but this didn't work for me. The acting was fine and even though I am not a musical fan, Lewis is a good singer, but it wasn't enough to save it.

It doesn't take long to figure out if this movie is for you or not. Right away, we open with a musical number. Okay... Didn't know this was a musical and also it seems to take place outside of the movie, like it's just a Lewis performance while the opening credits role. He's a good singer, so it's not a bad experience, but it has nothing to do with the movie other than it's a song called Rock-A-Bye Baby. Then we get Jerry Lewis's version of comedy which falls somewhere between Chapplin and Robin Williams. He's a charismatic guy and I like him, but his humor isn't for me. His slapstick isn't as over the top as I wanted and most of what he does is just be awkward and weird. The story isn't much beyond "Jerry Lewis has to watch triplets" and they don't do much with it. There weren't any good scenes of him struggling with that and it was kind of boring. The highlight of the film happens in the first fifteen minutes with a fun scene of Lewis and a high pressure fire hose. After that I guess we're just supposed to like Jerry enough to sit through another hour and a half. There were multiple skits that went on way too long, especially when I didn't think they were working. I love Chapplin and Harold Lloyd and I think their brand of comedy is timeless. I don't know if we've outgrown Jerry Lewis (there were multiple Asian stereotypes that wouldn't fly today), if I just picked a bad Jerry Lewis movie, or if I was just not in the right mood, but this didn't work for me. The acting was fine and even though I am not a musical fan, Lewis is a good singer, but it wasn't enough to save it.

this is my first time learning about Marilyn Maxwell! she’s a beautyyyy. not sure about this but i see so much of Jerry Lewis in how Jim Carrey acts?? or maybe it’s just slapstick comedy in general.

this is my first time learning about Marilyn Maxwell! she’s a beautyyyy. not sure about this but i see so much of Jerry Lewis in how Jim Carrey acts?? or maybe it’s just slapstick comedy in general.