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The Nutty Professor

The Nutty Professor

List Price: $14.99
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Jerry Lewis is as nutty as can be
Review: Paradox completists eventually must turn to la mystere de Jerry -- why is it that French film masters such as Godard and Truffaut so loved Jerry Lewis? The Franco-Lewis thing has become a well-worn joke -- something to swig down with Freedom Fries -- but it's a safe bet the directors weren't thinking of the braying, pratfalling side of the American comedian.

Instead, the new wavers cited Lewis' work from the early 1960s -- including what arguably are his best films as an actor and director: "The Nutty Professor" and "The Bellboy."

Paramount, Lewis' longtime studio, has released both titles in splendid widescreen versions, along with seven of his other films. Some titles come with full or partial commentaries from Lewis and his pal Steve Lawrence; other modest bonus features are spread about the collection.

"The Nutty Professor," from 1963, looks amazing in widescreen, awash in hot circus colors. Seeing Lewis' film in its original aspect ratio reveals the director's dedication to offbeat and rewarding visuals. The film earns its Special Edition tag with a vivid transfer, feature-length commentary, making-of featurette and a half-hour career survey called "Jerry Lewis at Work." Screen tests, outtakes and promos complete the package. Paramount isn't known for breaking a sweat with catalog-title extras, but this is a solid collection.

The plot -- a buck-toothed college teacher brews up a formula that transforms him into an obnoxious ladies' man -- allowed Lewis to revisit the yin-yang comic dynamic he first developed with smoothy Dean Martin. Lewis played both roles.

Speculation that the professor's swinging chemical creation, Buddy Love, was based on the real-life Martin elicits an emphatic denial. "This could never be Dean," Lewis says. "I loved Dean." Love was "a conglomeration of every unkind, nasty SOB I had seen all of my life."

Lewis gives love interest Stella Stevens a lot of credit for the film's success, saying she made scenes sparkle by listening so intently to his dialogue. "She was about the best actress I had ever worked with." Edith Head's sensual outfits and cinematographer Wally Kelley's close-ups intensified Stevens' already potent sex appeal.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: What a ride!
Review: Professor Julius Kelp (played by Jerry Lewis) is a brilliant, if nerdy, chemistry professor at a small college. Tired of being mistreated by larger men and disregarded by beautiful women, he decides that he can use his knowledge of chemistry to improve himself. His experiment goes awry when an experimental formula turns this meek and mild dweeb into a bold, abusive and startlingly handsome lounge lizard--Buddy Love. When the formula shows an alarming tendency to destabilize at awkward moments, Kelp must try to keep his split personalities separate, as the object of his dreams, the delectable Stella Purdy (Stella Stevens), seems within his grasp. However, Miss Purdy's experience with the vain Buddy convinces her that he may not be her dream man after all, and that a better man might be a gentle chemistry professor!

This is one of my favorite movies. Yes, there's no serious social commentary here, and the comedy is rather low, but what a ride! This movie is clean, and can be watched by the whole family (which I appreciate). The humor is quite quirky, which makes this movie fun to watch over and over again. This is another movie that I recommend for all families.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Jerry Lewis Almost Under control
Review: THE NUTTY PROFESSOR is about an eccentric chemistry professor who discovers a liquid concoction which can transform him into a suave character in the style and manner of Dean Martin. For a Jerry Lewis film the antics are somewhat tame. Lewis plays the professor and Stella Stevens is his adoring student. The supporting cast includes Del Moore, Kathleen Freeman and Howard Morris.

The movie is saved by the acting and outstanding good looks of Miss Stevens. The Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde theme makes a decent story and the film also benfits from Jerry Lewis behaving almost as if he is under control.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Original & BEST version!
Review: The Nutty Professor is one of Jerry Lewis's best films and never mind Eddie Murphy's version, Jerry puts Eddie to shame with his hilarious dual role! A must-have for Lewis fans and anyone who just enjoys plenty of belly laughs!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Jerry Lewis plays two characters perfectly!!
Review: The Nutty Professor is one of the absolute best films ever made. Jerry Lewis puts 100% of his acting ability and effort into this story. He goes through an amazing transformation when changing from one character to another. It would have been a frightening thing to see if i hadn't been too busy laughing.

Unfortunately, this film was poorly remade in the 1990's. I suggest yoiu ignore the remake and get the original.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Innovative Dr. Jeckell and Mr.Hyde Spoof
Review: This Classic film shows the incredible comedic range of Jerry Lewis as a goofy buck tooth professor with an exagerated low self esteem. He finds that one of his gorgeous students Miss Purdy played well by Stella Stevens takes some sort of interest to him. As the professor he stumbles on a potion that can change his genetics into an overly arrogant good looking man who lacks the one thing that would win Purdy over. Sensitivity. The characters name Buddy Love is said by some to have been based on former rat pack partner Dean Martin. Buddy Loves character was an inspiration for comedian Andrew Dice Clay as Dice has said, "Your not here because your Not attracted to me. And you can see I dig you pretty well myself." Eddie Murphys remake although good could never over shadow this classic comedy. Lewis as Professor Kelp at the prom with his goofy dance steps is hilarious. This movie is timeless and I highly reccomend it to everyone. This movies 1963 release gives you some sense of the simple wholesome lifestyle of the early sixties. As a male I can't help but fall for Stella Stevens every time. Jerry Lewis proves in this movie he's a comic genius!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: You Can't Beat The Original!
Review: This film is a classic of the cinema, Jerry Lewis should havebeen nominated for the Academy Award as best actor! A brilliant performance by Mr. Lewis and I think possibly the best work from Stella Stevens as well. A great dynamic soundtrack with Les Brown and his orchestra, and those terrific songs, "I've Got A World that Swings", "That Old Black Magic". The transformation scene is incredible, and I can't wait to see this in widescreen, in brilliant Technicolor and Digital sound! People have knocked Lewis for years, but there must be something to this man and his work....why else would Hollywood be remaking so many of his films? See the original and rediscover that last great Hollywood clown.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: JERRY LEWIS' BEST...ENOUGH SAID!!
Review: This is by far the best Jerry Lewis vhs or cd to own in your collection! It is still funny after its theatrical release 41 years ago in 1963. Julius Kelp and Buddy Love portrayed by Lewis is by the best he's done in his years of show biz. It's too bad we don't see movies made like this anymore. Jerry Lewis is still funny to this day!I would highly recommend this!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Jerry Lewis Shines in "Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde" Comedy
Review: This is by far the best of the Jerry Lewis (sans Martin) films. The Jekyll & Hyde storyline is the perfect outlet for Jerry Lewis' "physical comedy" genius. I bet the "French" were inspired by this performance, when they named Jerry Lewis their comdy idol.

As a clumbsy, yet lovable, chemistry professor, the title character could hardly be considered a "babe magnet". When he discovers a "magic potion" that turns the nerd into "Buddy Love", his luck with the ladies appears to change. In the end, he learns that appearance is less important than character. A young Stella Stevens is effective as the grad-student love interest.

This original "Nutty Professor" is heartwarming and funny without offensive language and double-entendre visuals. It is far superior to its 1990s Eddie Murphy remake. Especially for a juvenile audience, Lewis beats Murphy by a mile!***

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One of Lewis's richest films
Review: This is one of Lewis's richest films, one in which technical perfection meets considerable thematic depth. Professor Kelp is a soul whose few contacts with the sensible world lead to complications; people mock him because of his inability to accomplish concrete actions. Suddenly troubled by sensible beauty (S. Stevens), Kelp feels the need to have a body that will enable him to satisfy his desire. This body (Buddy Love), in direct contrast to Kelp, is comfortable only when pursuing entirely material endeavors; Love is especially at ease at the Purple Pit, an echo of Plato's cave in the way it manufactures illusions and crude dreams. Kelp's embodiment is not complete, as soul and body soon start to interact (when Buddy speaks like Kelp and vice-versa). The merging of both is foreshadowed by three clues: a) Buddy avenges Kelp by humiliating the head of the University; b) as the prom night begins, Kelp uncharacteristically starts to dance, led by instinct alone; c) Buddy's more decent behavior when he performs for the students, a bit later. A performance which is interrupted by the ultimate transformation and Kelp's ensuing confession. The film's conclusion is far from a happy ending: despite Kelp's vow to accept himself as he is, he now moulds his appearance and demeanor after Buddy Love's and has been corrupted by Buddy's fascination with artificiality. The fact that Kelp would return two years later in 'The Family Jewels' as a photographer - i.e. as a reproducer of the sensible world - is revealing. A major work from an underrated artist.


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