The Patsy (1964)

When a star comedian dies, his comedy team, decides to train a nobody to fill the shoes of the Star in a big TV show (a Patsy). But the man they choose, bellboy Stanley Belt, cant do ... See full summary »

Director:

Jerry Lewis

Writers:

Jerry Lewis, Bill Richmond

Stars:

Jerry Lewis, Ina Balin, Everett Sloane

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jerry Lewis	...	Stanley Belt / Singers of the Trio
Ina Balin	...	Ellen Betz
Everett Sloane	...	Caryl Fergusson
Phil Harris	...	Chic Wymore
Keenan Wynn	...	Harry Silver
Peter Lorre	...	Morgan Heywood
John Carradine	...	Bruce Arden
Hans Conried	...	Prof. Mulerr
Richard Deacon	...	Sy Devore
Scatman Crothers	...	Shoeshine Boy (as Scat Man Crothers)
Del Moore	...	Policeman
Neil Hamilton	...	The Barber
Buddy Lester	...	Copa Café MC
Nancy Kulp	...	Helen, Theatergoer
Lloyd Thaxton	...	Lloyd

Storyline

When a star comedian dies, his comedy team, decides to train a nobody to fill the shoes of the Star in a big TV show (a Patsy). But the man they choose, bellboy Stanley Belt, cant do anything right. The big TV show is getting closer, and Stanley gets worse all the time.

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Plot Keywords:

psychotronic film | bellboy | patsy | redheaded woman | slapstick comedy | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 September 1964 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

Son of Bellboy

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Patti Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the only Jerry Lewis solo film that mentions Dean Martin by name. Ed Sullivan includes Martin & Lewis in a list of famous acts that made their debuts on his show.

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Quotes

[Ina Balin, as Ellen, is bawling after seeing Jerry's character Stanley fall over the balcony of his apartment. Jerry Lewis appears from the right, behind her]
Stanley Belt: Aren't you overacting a little bit, Miss Bawling... Balin... Balin? It's a movie, you see? I'm fine. Uh, the people in the theater know I ain't gonna die. Here, it's a movie stage. Here, look at this, see? There's wires and lights and I'm gonna make more movies, so I couldn't die. It's like a "make-believe." It's a dumb city.
Ellen Betz: Mr. Lewis, ...

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Connections

Featured in Jerry Lewis - König der Komödianten (2006)

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Soundtracks

I Lost My Heart in a Drive-In Movie
Lyrics by Jack Brooks
Music by David Raksin
Performed by Jerry Lewis

User Reviews

Jerry's Thinking More than Usual in this Deep Display of Nuttiness

The Prolific, Near-Genius, Self-Indulgent, and as Always Self-Referential Jerry Lewis is at it Again. Pushing Film Conventions just a Nudge, not Over the Edge, Never Wanting to be Totally Dismissed and Forever Seeking Approval, He Managed to be Creative as well as, Like Most Comedians, Inconsistent.

Jerry's Fans Rate this One Pretty HIgh, some Considering it His Best along with The Nutty Professor (1963). It is Deeper than His Other Movies and Lewis, who was a Constant Thinker, seemed to be Thinking Overtime on this One.

Like All Jerry Lewis Movies this has some Very Funny Bits and His Comic Timing is in Evident Here with a Scene Involving Voice Lessons and Antiques. The Sight Gags in Jerry's Movies are Consistently Innovative and Succeed without Fail, One after Another.

Armed with an All-Star Supporting Cast and a Number of Cameos, the Perennial Clown just might have Reached too Far on this One because in this Film when it is Embarrassing (most Jerry Lewis Films include cringe-inducements) it is Really Embarrassing, like in the Nightclub Scene.

Overall, this is One of Jerry's more Ambitious Movies and Probably One of HIs Best, although that's Debatable. Still if You are one of those that can Only take a Smattering of the Jerry Lewis Charm, this is Probably one You should Check Out. It's got it All.