Main Cast: Jerry Lewis, Alex Gerry, Bob Clayton, Bill Richmond, Sonny Sands, Eddie Shaeffer
Release Year: 1960
Country: US
Run Time: 72 minutes
Plot
Jerry Lewis now claims that his film directorial debut came about when his home studio, Paramount, needed a summer-release Lewis vehicle in a hurry. Jerry and his entourage headed to the Fountainbleu hotel in Miami Beach, and 29 days later returned with The Bellboy. As narrator Walter Winchell (and an actor pretending to be a Paramount executive in a pre-credits bit) explain, the film has no plot and no point; it merely exists for the audience's enjoyment. Lewis plays nebbishy bellhop Stanley, a nonspeaking bumbler who alternates between screwing up and taking his job too seriously. The film's Tati-like gags involve a Volkswagen engine, an overweight guest, a woman with a come-hither voice, a very effective flash bulb, an episode at the Greyhound track, a golf tournament, and a passenger jet. Weaving in and out of the proceedings is Lewis' cowriter (and former drummer) Bill Richmond, made up as the spitting image of Stan Laurel (the real Laurel was approached to play himself, but he gently turned Jerry down, insisting that his aged appearance would disappoint his fans). Miami habitues B.S. Pully, Joe E. Ross, Cary Middlecoff, The Novelites make cameo appearances, as does Milton Berle. Made for peanuts, The Bellboy amassed a fortune, assuring that Jerry Lewis would be permitted to direct many of his own films in the future. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Fans of Jerry Lewis will, of course, love The Bellboy. But what's surprising is that even people who are relatively immune to his charms may find themselves chuckling several times during the course of the film. It isn't that Bellboy is a great film, or that it features dazzlingly original comic ideas. Quite the opposite: it seems that, because Lewis had to make this film VERY quickly, he simply pulled together bits and pieces from here and there and trusted to luck that everything would come out well. Thus, Bellboy has a looseness that is quite appealing, a devil-may-care attitude that is genuine rather than fake, and this makes it much easier to watch than some of Lewis' more thought-out or ambitious efforts. Bellboy is filled with gags we've seen in some form hundreds of times, but they're presented guilelessly here. They may not inspire guffaws, but they should bring at least a smile to the lips. It's also enjoyable to see Lewis working in a plotless film; his character remains the same throughout, but without having to be chained to the exigencies of plot, his work is lighter and more enjoyable. True, some sketches definitely go on too long, and some jokes simply fall flat. But there's enough here to keep one moderately entertained, even if one is not a Lewis lover. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Herkie Styles - Bellboy; Milton Berle - Guest Star; David Landfield - Bellboy; Larry Best - Apple Man; Dr. Cary Middlecoff; Joe Levitch; Howard Brooks; B.S. Pully; "Slapsie Maxie" Rosenbloom; Joe E. Ross; Isobel Elsom; Jimmy and Tilly Gerard - Fighting Couple; The Novelties; Walter Winchell
The movie opens with a movie studio executive introducing the movie. He explains that the film itself has no plot, but simply shows Jerry Lewis as Stanley, the bellboy, getting in many ridiculous situations, bumbling his way from one scene to the next. Stanley does not speak, except for the very end of the movie.
Production
It was filmed from February 8 to March 5, 1960 and marked Jerry Lewis' debut as a director. Filming took place at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida. Lewis would film during the day and perform in the nightclub at night.
Before filming began, Lewis consulted his friend, film legend Stan Laurel, about the script. Since Laurel had worked in silent films and was familiar with pantomime, he offered suggestions to Lewis for the film. It is unknown if Lewis actually used any of Laurel's ideas in the production.[1]
This film was the first one in which the video assist was used. Lewis needed a way to see the action as a director, even though he was in the scene. Therefore, he came up with the idea of using a video monitor to play back the scene immediately after it was shot to review it. Because of this invention, Lewis was awarded the Golden Light Technical Achievement Award, and holds the patent for its invention.
Paramount wanted to have a Jerry Lewis movie for summer release (in North America). The movie that they wanted to release was Cinderfella, which had finished shooting in December 1959. Lewis wanted to hold back the release of that movie for the Christmas holiday and Paramount only agreed if Jerry could deliver them another movie for summer release. Therefore, while playing an engagement in Miami Beach, Lewis came up with this movie.
Cameos
Milton Berle was in town performing at another hotel while Lewis was shooting the picture and he agreed to make an appearance as himself and in a dual role as another bellboy. Comedian Bill Richmond does several "cameos" as Stan Laurel of Laurel and Hardy fame. Professional golfer Cary Middlecoff, the "Golf Doctor," appeared in the film as himself.
Business
The film grossed about $10 million in the USA alone.[2]
DVD release
October 12, 2004
References
^Jerry Lewis At Work (included in the Paramount DVD release of The Nutty Professor
^ Lewis, Jerry; Gluck, Herb (1982). Jerry Lewis In Person. New York: Atheneum. p. 226. ISBN 0-689-11290-4.
