‘ THE BELLBOY’ ( 1960)
The fascinating backstory: Lewis promised Paramount he would deliver a Jerry Lewis film for a 1960 summer release if they agreed to hold back his completed Cinderfella until the holiday season.
He proceeded to make The Bellboy ( he produced, wrote and directed) in record time, all while performing his nightclub act in Miami. Lewis plays a mute bellboy at a luxurious hotel.
“His brilliant performance echoes that of his beloved Charlie Chaplin, as Jerry doesn’t utter a sound until the last sentence of the film,” says Barson.
Lewis also invented the video assist for the film, which is used to this day in film and television production. Using the device, he could see himself act on monitors in his directorial debut.
Paramount kept its end of the bargain and Lewis profited. “The movie went on to make him millions,” says Barson.
Lewis’ favorite of his films was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in its National Film Registry, which honors films that are “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.” Comedian Eddie Murphy paid respect with his own version: 1996 remake The Nutty Professor and its 2000 sequel Nutty Professor II: The Klumps.
“Beyond being one of his best films, it’s one of the classic comedy films of all time,” says Barson.