The Bellboy
| The Bellboy | |
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| Directed by | Jerry Lewis |
| Produced by | Jerry Lewis |
| Written by | Jerry Lewis |
| Starring | Jerry Lewis Alex Gerry Bob Clayton Milton Berle |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
| Release date(s) | July 20, 1960 |
| Running time | 72 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $3,700,000 (US/Canada rentals)[1] |
The Bellboy is a 1960 comedy film written, produced, directed by and starring Jerry Lewis. It was released on July 20, 1960 by Paramount Pictures and marked Lewis' directorial debut.
Plot
A studio executive (Jack Kruschen in an uncredited role) introduces the movie, explaining that it has no plot, but simply shows Stanley the hotel bellboy (played by Lewis) getting in one ridiculous situation after another. Stanley does not speak, except at the very end of the movie. Lewis also appears in a speaking role playing himself escorted by a large entourage, as his bellhop counterpart simultaneously emerges from a crowded elevator.
Production
It was shot from February 8 to March 5, 1960 and marked Jerry Lewis's debut as a director. Filming took place at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida. Lewis would film during the day and perform in the nightclub at night.
Before he began, Lewis consulted his friend, film legend Stan Laurel, about the script. Since Laurel had worked in silent films and was familiar with pantomime, he offered suggestions. It is unknown if Lewis actually used any of Laurel's ideas in the production.[2] But it is believed Lewis paid homage to the comic by naming his character 'Stanley' after him. A Stan Laurel-like character also appears throughout the story, portrayed by writer and impressionist Bill Richmond.
The film marked an early use of a video assist system. Lewis needed a way to see the action as a director, even though he was in the scene.
Paramount wanted to have a Jerry Lewis movie for summer release (in North America). The movie that it wanted to release was Cinderfella, which had finished shooting in December 1959. Lewis wanted to hold back the release of that movie for the Christmas 1960 holiday and Paramount only agreed if Jerry could deliver another movie for summer. Therefore, while playing an engagement in Miami Beach, Lewis came up with this.
Cameos
Milton Berle was in town performing at another hotel while Lewis was shooting the picture and agreed to make an appearance as himself and in a dual role as another bellboy. Comedian (and future co-writer with Lewis on many of Jerry's subsequent films) Bill Richmond does several cameos as Stan Laurel. Professional golfer Cary Middlecoff, the "Golf Doctor," appeared as himself.
In pop culture
A clip of this film was used in one of Apple's iPhone commercials, where Jerry and other notable actors pick up the phone and say "Hello?"
This film is also referenced in Four Rooms within Quentin Tarantino's segment.
References
- ^ "Rental Potentials of 1960", Variety, 4 January 1961 p 47. Please note figures are rentals as opposed to total gross.
- ^ Jerry Lewis At Work (included in the Paramount DVD release of The Nutty Professor
- ^ Lewis, Jerry; Gluck, Herb (1982). Jerry Lewis In Person. New York: Atheneum. p. 226. ISBN 0-689-11290-4.
External links
- The Bellboy at the Internet Movie Database
- The Bellboy at the TCM Movie Database
- The Bellboy at AllRovi
- The Bellboy at Rotten Tomatoes
- Review at TVGuide.com
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