Right up front, I think it's important you know I am not particularly a fan of Jerry Lewis films. I am sure he's a wonderful human being, but I have never really understood the appeal of his comedies--particularly his solo efforts. Now that does not mean I dislike all his films ("The Delicate Delinquent" and "The Sad Sack" are very good comedies), I just don't have a burning love for his movies like some reviewers. So why am I watching many of his films recently? Well, because I want to be fair--and in recent months I have deliberately chosen some big name stars whose work I am not all that fond of in order to re-assess them--to give them a fair chance. For example, I was never a fan of Marlon Brando, so I recently saw almost all his films and have a greater appreciation for some of his movies. Now, I am working on Jerry Lewis--especially since a good friend felt I was being too hard on the man's work.
"Who's Minding the Store" begins with a rich lady (Agnes Moorehead) consulting with some of her help. Apparently, she's had them spy on her daughter's boyfriend (Lewis) to see what sort of guy he is. She sees him as an uncultured idiot and feels she must do something to break up the couple--she CAN'T have her daughter marrying THAT! Moorehead decides to try to break them up by proving to her daughter that he is weak and incompetent--and she plans on making his new job at the department store (one she owns) horrible--to make him quit and to humiliate him. So, she gets her manager (Ray Walston) to give him every horrible job he can think of...and the manager thinks of many! As for Lewis, he has no idea his girl (Jill St. John) is wealthy, as she lives simply and he also has no idea he's been under surveillance or that he's being set up to fail on this job.
The style of this film is very episodic--and that's not a bad thing. Each time Lewis is given a new job, it's like a separate comedy bit. And, when they don't work so well, they come so often that the momentum is quite nice--and most of these situations are very enjoyable (such as the lady wrestler, his very famous invisible typewriter bit and the ladies sale). In addition, Jerry is much more likable in this one, as he does NOT mug for the camera and is pretty restrained (often a problem in some of his other films)--he's also a very a nice guy. It's also very, very nice seeing his relationship with his future father-in-law (John McGiver)--it's really sweet. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by this one--it was restrained, well-acted and had some nice laughs. Even the over the top vacuum bit was worth seeing--even if this one did lack subtlety! Because I enjoyed this so much, perhaps I can look past some of Lewis' duds like "Cracking Up" (ewww....now THAT'S bad) and I look forward to the next.
"Who's Minding the Store" begins with a rich lady (Agnes Moorehead) consulting with some of her help. Apparently, she's had them spy on her daughter's boyfriend (Lewis) to see what sort of guy he is. She sees him as an uncultured idiot and feels she must do something to break up the couple--she CAN'T have her daughter marrying THAT! Moorehead decides to try to break them up by proving to her daughter that he is weak and incompetent--and she plans on making his new job at the department store (one she owns) horrible--to make him quit and to humiliate him. So, she gets her manager (Ray Walston) to give him every horrible job he can think of...and the manager thinks of many! As for Lewis, he has no idea his girl (Jill St. John) is wealthy, as she lives simply and he also has no idea he's been under surveillance or that he's being set up to fail on this job.
The style of this film is very episodic--and that's not a bad thing. Each time Lewis is given a new job, it's like a separate comedy bit. And, when they don't work so well, they come so often that the momentum is quite nice--and most of these situations are very enjoyable (such as the lady wrestler, his very famous invisible typewriter bit and the ladies sale). In addition, Jerry is much more likable in this one, as he does NOT mug for the camera and is pretty restrained (often a problem in some of his other films)--he's also a very a nice guy. It's also very, very nice seeing his relationship with his future father-in-law (John McGiver)--it's really sweet. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by this one--it was restrained, well-acted and had some nice laughs. Even the over the top vacuum bit was worth seeing--even if this one did lack subtlety! Because I enjoyed this so much, perhaps I can look past some of Lewis' duds like "Cracking Up" (ewww....now THAT'S bad) and I look forward to the next.