Any Jerry Lewis Fans Here?
- Thread starter Sloopjohnbee
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I LOVED Jerry Lewis when I was a kid, watching an adult behaving like a young awkward kid. I felt it hilarious. I don't watch his films anymore, maybe I'll take a look one of these days.
The MD telethons were what they were. At least initially he was trying to do some good, which is more than be said of his detractors.
The pipes must have been props. They appear to have been unsmoked.
The MD telethons were what they were. At least initially he was trying to do some good, which is more than be said of his detractors.
The pipes must have been props. They appear to have been unsmoked.
I just never liked him but knew a lot of people who did.
I did some maintenance work on his motor yacht in San Diego in the early 70’s. He must have been drinking in those days because every time he hit the dock too hard he blamed the steering mechanism and demanded that it be replaced! In those days non skid on the deck was paint with ground walnut embedded. The walnut came in varying sizes. Whenever pie eyed Jerry slipped and fell in front of his guests, he wanted a larger grade of walnuts! By the end you could almost walk between the chunks.
I do think,however, he was a very talented comic actor.
I do think,however, he was a very talented comic actor.
Like a lot of wild and crazy guys--actors, writers, others--( I always thought) Jerry Lewis could have bloomed as a serious actor if he'd found a director or confidant who could have cultivated enough trust to guide him, not reign him in, but provide the self-governance he could not find in himself. His tours as a serious actor were remarkable. Jackie Gleason who was always a bull in the china shop, was masterful in the pool hustler movie with Paul Newman. Gleason was better centered than Lewis, and to me, had a better career over all, more consistent and considered.
Minnesota Fats! The Hustler! Loved that movie, will watch again soon. 5/5
And Gleason was an underrated actor.
And Gleason was an underrated actor.
I thought Gleason upstaged Newman, which is saying quite a bit. He had a lot of soul and dramatic tension going. Also, he was a big big guy who could really dance. Used to brag about his ability as a brawler in his youth, which seemed entirely possible. Although few compare to Lewis for shear unleashed energy.
I don't know who underrated him. The critics raved about in The Hustler. Oscar nominee, many Emmys, three Golden Globes, and others. Maybe the public underrated him but, his peers sure didn't. Bombastic, full of himself with a tremendous zest for life ... He was oner! I'm guessing, unless a movie role was gonna be fun, movies simply required too much of Gleason's "me time." He liked control and his TV stuff left him in charge. Movies involved directers who's vision may have differed with his idea of how to play a role. I've read he only trusted himself.
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