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The Errand Boy
Paramutual Pictures wants to know where all the money is going so they hire Morty to be their spy. Morty works for Mr. Sneak and gets a job in the mail room so that he can have access to the lot. But all that Morty ever finds is that he can cause havoc no matter what he does.
Release : | 1961 |
Rating : | 6.4 |
Studio : | Paramount, Jerry Lewis Productions, |
Crew : | Art Direction, Art Direction, |
Cast : | Jerry Lewis Brian Donlevy Howard McNear Dick Wesson Kathleen Freeman |
Genre : | Comedy |
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hyped garbage
Excellent, Without a doubt!!
It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.
The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;
From a painter to a comedy star, Jerry was always at his usual best! It was always funny seeing him interrupt a lot of the "behind the scenes" that took place in the studios. It was really fun on where he'll disrupt next. I liked so much at the beginning where he accidentally got involved in a party scene and he sang really loudly from the singer who was suppose to be entertaining in the scene. I found Howard McNear who played Dexter Sneak was really funny as he was very eccentric with his fast talking and his crazy behavior! It's too bad he was an unrated actor because he really deserved more for being in this movie! He should've been Jerry Lewis' sidekick if he had the chance to make us all laugh!If you like movies and comedy, this one is for you!
I don't think "The Errand Boy" is a film everyone will love. The film is essentially plot less and it's made up of one silly skit after another. Additionally, some of the bits are pretty bad--with some serious overacting by Jerry Lewis. Yet, despite its faults, the film is pleasant and entertaining.I could describe the plot but frankly it never made sense and occupied little of the film. Suffice to say that dopey Morty (Lewis) is hired as an errand boy at a film studio and ends up repeatedly screwing up pretty much everything he does. And, in the end, there is a twist--a nice one at that.Very few people would notice that much of "The Errand Boy" was lifted from the Harold Lloyd feature "Movie Crazy". Part of the reason folks won't recognize this is that it's a rather obscure film--created in the talking picture era when he was no longer quite the star he was during the silent days. Additionally, the film has been seen, quite inaccurately, as a dud--whereas it's really a dandy film. Here, Lewis resurrects much of this old film and into it injects lots of silliness. Some of the silliness doesn't work (as was often the case, the timing was a problem--skits were something overdone and drawn out way too much--especially the ones involving mispronunciations) and some does. I really didn't enjoy the pathos in scenes involving puppets but must admit a few of the skits (such as Jerry in the pool) were quite funny. Overall, a VERY mixed bag and a film much like Lewis' other plot less film, "The Bell Boy" (which I actually prefer). Worth seeing if you are a fan.By the way, for classic TV buffs, you'll easily recognize Howard McNear (Floyd the Barber from "The Andy Griffith Show"). But, if you look closely, you'll also see Barry Livingston (Ernie from "My Three Sons") in a skit involving jellybeans.
Mr Lewis is of an acquired taste but for anyone with a shred of a sense of humour, he is one of the kings. If this is NOT his best movie, it's certainly in the top 3.One or two of the routines are copied from other comedians but the rest are just pure genius. Check out the scene in the board room where Jerry does a great mime to a Count Basie track. Unfortunately, there is the usual sentiment which slows the comedy down and I personally find that boring and a bit off putting but when the comedy returns it's well worth waiting for.I would place this movie up there with The Nutty Professor and It's Only Money (a film I REALLY do think is underrated).If you've never seen a Jerry Lewis film you could do a lot worse than start with this and don't let any of Jerry detractors put you off - judge for yourself.The man's an idiot but a brilliant idiot!!!
Biting satire set up by the staid Brian Donlevy, and Howard McNear in his absolute best role, Jerry only exceeds this in "The Nutty Professor" with his 'Buddy Love' nightclub entrance and musical performance. Playing it straight as Jerry Langford in "King of Comedy" is also at the top of my list. "The Disorderly Orderly" and "Who's Minding the Store" are great entertainment also, {in my humble opinion} topping a list you all know. He and Mickey Rooney and a few others are the last of a vaudeville/burlesque tradition that we shall not see again. Jerry Lewis, the consummate comedian, actor, producer and director was able to bring genuinely funny and original material to the screen over and over again. Hats off to You, Jerry, a talent without peer.