JERRY LEWIS and the Typewriter Bit

                       

Jerry Lewis was certainly a flawed comedian and many of his films seen today are bound to fall flat in some spots while seeming overly dated in others. However, taking all his limitations into account, the truth is, he was a very funny personality. The fact is that he should be judged by his best work which is, 

in some cases, positively hilarious.  In any case, I remember him fondly and his typewriter skit always brings a smile to my face!

Incidentally, this gag appeared in his 1963 film WHO'S MINDING THE STORE?, which came out when Lewis' popularity was at its peak.

JERRY LEWIS!

                          Two years ago, on August 20, 2017, we lost Jerry Lewis.
I leave to the critics any comments on the quality of his films. His biographical details have also been amply dissected by his biographers. My memory of Lewis begins and ends with all his better comedies as I've always believed any artist should only be judged by his finest work.

So...Jerry Lewis, I salute you wherever you may be!

 
                                     
                                                      You made our world a happier place!

The classic typewriter bit from "WHO'S MINDING THE STORE?" (1963)

                                                   

HIirschfeld's World of Comedy

 Here are some of my favorite comedians as seen by Al Hirschfeld:

Charlie Chaplin                                                      Buster Keaton 

Harold Lloyd

                                                                                                                        The Marx Brothers

Laurel & Hardy
 

W.C. Fields, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Groucho Marx

 ZaSu Pitts

The Marx Brothers

                                                                                Danny Kaye

   Bob Hope

Abbott & Costello

Martin & Lewis

Jerry Lewis Woody Allen

                              The cast of "What's New, Pussycat?"

The cast of SEINFELD

GOODBYE, JERRY LEWIS!

                           "I've had great success being a total idiot!" - Jerry Lewis quote.

Jerry Lewis, the comedian and filmmaker who was adored by many, disdained by others, but unquestionably a defining figure of American entertainment in the 20th century, died on Sunday morning at his home in Las Vegas. He was 91.

So read the news reports when Jerry Lewis passed on. His unique comedic talent  was not everybody's cup of tea but he earned a great following during his peak years.

Lewis burst literally into the spotlight as the crazy half of  the comedy team of Martin & Lewis. Singer Dean Martin was the straight man and Jerry stole the  show with his way out, over-the-top antics.

The pair split in 1956 and Jerry went on to gain even greater success in films like THE DELICATE DELINQUENT, THE LADIES MAN, THE BELLBOY, THE PATSY, THE DISORDERLY ORDERLY and THE NUTTY PROFESOR, which was his biggest success and the film he is mostly remembered for.

He hosted the annual Labor Day weekend telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Association beginning in 1966 up until 2010, when some disagreements with the association's president, led to his resignation from the event.

In 2009 he was the recipient of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for his charitable activity.

Jerry was also the subject of a series of comic books published by DC Comics (first with Dean Martin and then as a single), in the 50s, 60s and 70s.

An animated cartoon series called "WILL THE REAL JERRY LEWIS PLEASE SIT DOWN?" by Filmation, ran on ABC from 1970 to 1972.

Thank you, Jerry, for all the joy, fun and laughter you gave me and millions of people all over the world!