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Highly Overrated But Still Good

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Apprentice maintenance worker is mentored by a good-hearted neighborhood cop who wants to get one kid from the streets on the right path in life. Writer-director Don McGuire apparently fashioned this comedy vehicle for the team of Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin, but when Martin dropped out (and ended the partnership), Lewis took center stage--and appeared very comfortable in doing so. Unfortunately, McGuire's script (which shows evidence of tampering) allows Lewis too much room to do his act: self-pitying pathos, dumb/smart retorts, goofy faces and voices. The plot doesn't make much sense, anyway: officer Darren McGavin apparently thinks Lewis is a member of a street gang--but Lewis has a job and his own apartment, and there are no scenes to show McGavin realizing his subject isn't a delinquent at all (he just goes right on helping him...into the police academy!). Slick and well-produced in black-and-white, the picture mixes in 'funny' scenes for the kids (Lewis helping an eccentric tenant with his experiments, being picked in a self-defense demonstration by a Sumo wrestler) and also adds convenient ladies for both Lewis and McGavin. The narrative is lumpy (it's just a bunch of episodes strung together), but McGavin is surprisingly paternal with Lewis, which eventually leads to a curiously sober conclusion, one that won't please fans hoping for another wild Jerry Lewis outing. ** from ****

What's this with the trivia section on IMDb for this film? While I knew that this was Jerry Lewis' first solo effort after his breakup with Dean Martin, I have no idea what this comment in the trivia section means regarding Dean Martin not wanting to wear a police uniform. Did he hate cops or think he looked bad in black or was this just the excuse he gave because he couldn't stand the thought of making another film with Jerry?! I'd love to know more about this.With the absence of Dean Martin, the studio decided to pair Lewis with Darren McGavin. And, since you've never heard of the great comedy team of Martin & McGavin, you can assume the results did not set the world on fire. The choice of films was pretty odd, though, as Jerry was now in his 30s--making him an incredibly old delinquent! And, for the first time, this delinquent got to produce his own film.During an amazingly non-violent rumble, Jerry is accidentally picked up by the police as they think he, too, is one of the punks. The team of cops is led by McGavin--a cop who has been trying for years to rehabilitate these juveniles instead of just locking them up like the Captain recommends. In a rather non-subtle but funny scene, Jerry is thrilled that he is being let go by the police...you just have to see it. But McGavin sees Jerry and decides he can rehabilitate this boy! And, since Jerry is a completely incompetent janitor, McGavin is able to eventually interest him in a career in law enforcement. But the road is long and a lot of stuff happens in the meantime--such as constant run-ins with local hoodlums who delight in harassing him.Along the way, McGavin meets a know-it-all social worker (Martha Hyer). Naturally, they hate each other so you know they'll be in love by the end of the film! Wow, is this lady stupid and annoying! I think her character was very poorly written--no one can be that that opinionated and that clueless! Aside from looking nice, she was a major deficit in the film--possibly due to bad acting or a badly written character or bad direction or all three.So how does this all stack up compared to a typical Martin & Lewis film? Well, it's pretty obvious that the roles were originally written for the team but most of the musical numbers have been removed. While it caught my wife by surprise, Jerry sang one of the songs that Dean would have sung in the film--and did a very nice job. Too often in the early films, he deliberately sang badly and people assumed he couldn't sing. Jerry once again also mugged a lot more for the camera--though less than in many of his previous or later films. However, I also noticed that when he wasn't overacting, Lewis also had some nice scenes where you could see he could actually act--too bad he occasionally chose shtick instead of acting, as I think his acting skills are often under-appreciated (and which weren't as apparent until some of his later non-comedic roles). My wife, who is definitely not a fan, noticed that he was a lot more human in this film--and was very easy to like when he wasn't hamming it up. Surprisingly, she even liked the film--and she's a hard sell indeed. I'd say the film is actually better than most of the Martin & Lewis films, as it's a lot less comedy and more a well-rounded film.By the way, there is a scene towards the beginning where McGavin tries very hard to befriend Lewis. I am sure it played well in 1957, but seen today, it sure looks like McGavin is trying to make a pass at him! You can see what what might be seen by some as a gay subtext a few other times, too. See it for yourself--I am sure you'll see what I mean.

Sydney L. Pythias (Jerry Lewis), more juvenile than delinquent, is a janitor mistaken for a gang member whilst emptying out the garbage. Kindly police officer Mike Damon (Darren McGavin) tries to straighten him out by putting him through police training.The role of Damon was earmarked for regular Lewis partner Dean Martin, but Martin allegedly refused to play a copper and the role was given to McGavin. Thus the film became notable for being the first solo film for Lewis away from his regular partner. They never worked together again. Written and directed by Don McGuire who works from a script based upon the Greek mythology legend of Damon and Pythias, the film also stars Martha Hyer, Robert Ivers and features a rare dramatic turn from comedian/impressionist Frank Gorshin. After the tremendous success of the Martin/Lewis partnership the big question of course would be if Lewis as a solo performer would be a big draw? The Delicate Delenquent was a massive success, made for under half a million dollars it went on to make almost $6 million. Thus launching Lewis on a lucrative solo career encompassing many more film's in the decades to come.Very much a send up of teen rebel movies that were knocking about in the 50s {delinquency amongst teens was becoming a hot topic in the decade}, Lewis' movie is gentle blend of comedy and drama. Tho he doles out some of the gurning buffoon antics that were his comedy trait, Lewis does get to play it more restrained for much of the piece, and it works, none more so than with the warm and uplifting finale. With that in mind, newcomers to the movie should not expect a raucous Jerry Lewis piece. The comedy is good, with some scenes during the police academy training portion of the film, particularly enjoyable. While Jerry sings "By Myself," in cheeky recognition of his split-up with Dino. The romantic interest in the film comes via the beautiful Martha Hyer, who married Hal Wallis in 1966, the producer of the Dean Martin/Jerry Lewis films. And tho it's not a fully formed character, there's just enough material to let Hyer leave a favourable mark.A long way from Lewis' best solo film {The Nutty Professor} but engaging enough on both its comedy and dramatic fronts. 6.5/10

THE DELICATE DELINQUENT (1957) ** Jerry Lewis, Darren McGavin. Rather weak Lewis flick with Jerry as a troubled kid who hooks up with the police force. Noteworthy only because this was his first solo outing after he split with Dean Martin.