The Patsy (1964)

This Jerry Lewis comedy, which he also co-wrote and directed, begins with an unusual premise: a movie star has died and his staff of handlers (Keenan Wynn, Everett Sloane, John Carradine, Phil Harris, Ina Balin, and Peter Lorre who died before this was released) are discussing if they should split up. That would become "no" when Jerry, as bellhop Stanley Belt, shows up and clumsily drops his ice and glasses which makes the team try to make him a star. I'll stop there and just say that while I know that Lewis tends to overdo his shtick, I usually find it funny maybe both because and despite him doing so. I mean, when he mouths in the wrong places his recorded lyrics to his hit song (which I personally don't think would have been a hit even as a novelty tune) or has a disastrous encounter with music teacher Hans Conried (a veteran player of Lewis' movies), I'm so there laughing my head off! And a couple of silent sequences are pretty amusing if not as funny. But when we see Stanley at his night club debut, his accident-prone and mixed-words performance is painful to watch not only to the characters watching but to the actual film audience as well though it's possible Lewis meant it that way. There's also some entertaining tap dancing by The Four Step Brothers and some cool shoe shine-bopping by Scatman Crothers even though his character borders on an African-American stereotype though even there you get something of an edge in modern humor at the end of that bit. After the aforementioned night club bit, it loses some steam but the ending more than makes up for it. Oh, and cameos by the likes of Hedda Hopper and Ed Sullivan are also fine for the good sports they show up as. So on that note, The Patsy is well worth a look for any Lewis fan out there. P.S. This is one of the few movies that both Keenan and his father, Ed Wynn, both show up in though in this case, they have no scenes together. Oh, and Sullivan mentions both Martin & Lewis and The Beatles as among those that made their TV debut on his show, having filmed his scene not long after The Fab Four's first appearance with him on February 9, 1964.

After lucrative comedian "Wally Brandford" dies in a plane crash, his management team decides to make bumbling bellhop Jerry Lewis (as Stanley Belt) a replacement. Mr. Lewis manages to have a hit record with "I Lost My Heart in a Drive-In Movie", but his nightclub appearance bombs big time. The film's premise seems to suggest you should laugh at Lewis being unfunny. Eventually, he finds success with secretary Ina Balin (as Ellen Betz). Although you can see it coming a mile away, the segment with antique collector Hans Conried is nicely done. And, the enjoyable "Spring Hop" flashback shows Lewis in his element.**** The Patsy (7/8/64) Jerry Lewis ~ Jerry Lewis, Ina Balin, Everett Sloane, Peter Lorre

Not a big Jerry Lewis fan but I remembered this one from my childhood and found it very funny but there were whole parts that I didn't "get". Forty years later I think I get it. It isn't supposed to be a comedy in the classic Hollywood sense. Much of the story is about someone who is either socially retarded OR is far more manipulative and ambitious than is apparent to the casual observer.SPOILERS AHEAD One thing that kept going through my head was Jerry was feeling the heat coming from Lenny Bruce at that time. This film was how he imagined the world would look if HE died suddenly and Lenny Bruce was pushed into his slot. The scene in the small night club with the horribly named 'Step Brothers' was extremely revealing. It appeared that the Stanley character was whacked out on something, drugs or who knows what. The SS firing squad bit seemed more than a bit too much but by this time we're way too deep into Jerry's mind to bail.I suspect that both Scorsese and the late Robert Altman wanted to pay a type an homage to this film with their works, THE KING OF COMEDY and THE PLAYER. The Patsy is a very good film but not great, too many self-indulgent bits but still worth seeing if want to see the Hollywod system attempt show a mirror to itself circa early sixties.

Jerry Lewis is a great talent and has given plenty of laughs for millions of people, however, this picture is just plain CRAZY and way out. Jerry Lewis needed the support of all time Classic greats as Everett Sloane, Phil Harris, John Carradine(Dracula 1940's), George Raft, Hans Conried, Hedda Hopper, Ed Wynn along with many other greats. I noticed that even Peter Lorre("Beast with Five Fingers") with all his great acting talent made this his final swan song. If you like to see some of the truly great classic actors, who sometimes just briefly appear, please view this picture and also everyone who loves JERRY LEWIS !