The Bellboy (1960)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Jerry Lewis

Writer:

Jerry Lewis (writer)

Release Date:

20 July 1960 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Jerry Lewis rings the bell for buffoonery!

Plot:

In Miami Beach, the mute bellboy Stanley works at the luxurious Fontainebleau Hotel. In spite of being a serviceable and friendly employee, the clumsy Stanley gets successively into trouble with his mistakes.

Plot Keywords:

Hotel | Slapstick | Bellhop | Actor Meets Character

Cast

Jerry Lewis	...	Stanley / Himself
Alex Gerry	...	Mr. Novak, Hotel Manager
Bob Clayton	...	Bob, Bell Captain
Sonnie Sands	...	Sonnie, Bellboy (as Sonny Sands)
Eddie Shaeffer	...	Eddie, Bellboy
Herkie Styles	...	Herkie, Bellboy
David Landfield	...	David, Bellboy
Bill Richmond	...	Stan Laurel
Larry Best	...	Apple Man
Cary Middlecoff	...	Himself
Art Terry	...	Himself (as The Novelites)
Frankie Carr	...	Himself (as The Novelites)
Joe Mayer	...	Himself (as The Novelites)
Stanley Allan	...	Hotel Guest
Duke Art Jr.	...	Bit part

Runtime:

72 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Australia:G | UK:U | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl

Filming Locations:

Fontainebleau Hilton Resort - 4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida, USA

Company:

Jerry Lewis Pictures

Trivia:

Jerry Lewis wrote the script in eight days.

Goofs:

Boom mic visible: When the staff helps the overweight Mrs. Hartung up the stairs you see the reflection of the boom mic raising up in the window

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Walter Matthau (#4.7)" (1978)

No Plot! Just Humor. ;)

No Plot -- The film starts with this proclamation. This film is definitely one of Jerry Lewis' best of his carrier. Filmed during the height of his movie output in the 1960's, this film is comedy unto its own sake. The gags just don't stop -- you aren't given a moment to relax, because it's all so funny, you can't stop laughing. The NO PLOT aspect only helps, as the audience is free to concentrate on the moment. I still burst into laughter when the hotel manager is called by the airport to inform him 'HE WHAT!?' Yes, this film is dated by today's standard, but that should come as no surprise. This film was the product of a different era -- and a different society. The change in our society was what made him decide to briefly retire from film in the '70s. The standards of humor just changed. And performers had to change with it. But film is permanent. It is set in celluloid. It can be re-edited, but what would be the point? For anyone who can appreciate 'the artist' for his art, this film still can be enjoyed. For anyone who can look at past films for nostalgia, this film can be enjoyed. It's called comedy -- 'nuff said.