The Bellboy

Rating:
Summary: A real classic finally on DVD!
Review: This has always been one of my favorites and this DVD does not disappoint. A very clean version in glorious black and white. The whole film is one skit after another in a big hotel about Stanley/Jerry (without saying a word until the very end) messing up one way or another. No running plot, but it works!

The audio commentary could be better, especially since Jerry Lewis did it himself. Steve Lawrence apparently was part of the commentary team because he laughs at everything Jerry says or does in the film. He added nothing to the commentary. But still, I'm grateful to have Jerry's comments about anything at all on the film, such as how he found the people to work and act in the film. His comments regarding Stan Laurel (his double appeared throughout the film) were quite nice.

There are also a lot of other extras ("Archival Materials"): movie trailer, rehearsal clips, blooper, dropped scenes, promo clips. There's even some home video (with commentary by Jerry's son) on Jerry's bus tour around the country to promote the film.

For the price, this is a real keeper for a Jerry Lewis fan.

Rating:
Summary: Laugh till you cough out a lung.
Review: This movie doesn't really have a plot, its just a series of funny episodes in the day or week of a clumsy bell boy at a Miami Hotel played like no body else can do by Lewis. The movie is truely hilarious and has some charm as well, which is what is so good about Lewis and his movies, they are not just funny, they are warm and charming at the same time. I love the look of the film, the 1960's, the music, the clothes, it adds to the fun of it. It shows what can be done when you have a true comic genious behind and in front of the camera. So many laughs, you'll wonder how you survived. See it with your family doctor in case you cough out a lung.

Rating:
Summary: absolute gem
Review: When watching this film, the educated cineaste will fully understand the Europeans love of Jerry Lewis. He is the American Jacques Tati! In The Bellboy, Lewis pushes the language of cinema the same way Ernie Kovaks revolutionized television. This is absurdist humour with liberal amounts of post modern deconstruction. If you want "story" or "plot" look elsewhere as The Bellboy is more an exploration of taking visual gags to new extremes. And yes, it's very funny too.