The late Jerry Lewis (1926-2017) enjoyed a long and successful career in Hollywood. Best known for his slapstick style humor and wild antics, Lewis was first glimpsed by moviegoers in “My Friend Irma” (1949), appearing in the role of Seymour alongside his longtime partner Dean Martin (1917-95).
The comedy duo of Martin and Lewis famously ended their partnership in an acrimonious split in 1956, but not before making a total of 17 films together. Their final movie was “Hollywood or Bust” (1956).
Both Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin would soldier on in Hollywood following their breakup, with Lewis finding renewed success as a solo performer. Here are 10 Jerry Lewis solo movies and some of the great memorabilia they generated for today’s collectors.
“The Delicate Delinquent” (1957). His first movie after splitsville with Dino, Lewis stars as Sidney L. Pythias in this comedy-drama directed by Don McGuire. Also featured is Darren McGavin as Mike Damon, a big city cop who eventually sets “juvenile delinquent” Pythias (Lewis was nearly 31-years-old at the time) on the right path. The standard one-sheet poster (27-by-41 inches) is a big draw for collectors, featuring the manic Lewis hanging from a lamp post along with the blurb: “Jerry Lewis is a teen-age ‘terror’ who scares nobody but himself…” One example in very fine-plus condition sold at auction for $51. Collectors also love the eight-card lobby set, with one offering hitting a top bid of $55 in very fine-minus condition.
“Rock-a-Bye Baby” (1958). In this charming comedy, Lewis plays boob tube repairman Clayton Poole, who is saddled with newborn triplets belonging to his former hometown sweetheart-turned-movie star Carla Naples (Marilyn Maxwell). For sheer visual fun, look to the film’s eight-card lobby set, which features classic scenes from the picture, including one of Lewis hanging precariously from a TV antenna on the roof. One set in fine condition sold for a reasonable $26.
“The Geisha Boy” (1958). One of the all-time Jerry Lewis classics, the comic stars as Gilbert “The Great” Wooley, a third-rate magician who heads to Japan as part of a USO tour to entertain American troops. Also on board are Marie McDonald, Suzanne Pleshette and Robert Hirano, the latter of whom plays Mitsuo, the young orphan Lewis befriends while running amok in the Far East with his scene-stealing rabbit Harry. The big three-sheet poster (41-by-81 inches) is a collector favorite (provided one has the room to display it), with one example in folded fine/very fine condition hitting a top bid of $42 at auction. For something truly different – or off the wall, in keeping with the spirit of Jerry Lewis filmdom – look to the Danish one-sheet poster (24-by-32 inches). One example in folded fine-plus condition brought a top bid of $27.
“The Bellboy” (1960). The setting is the famous Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, where Lewis plays a mute bellboy named Stanley. Lewis, who produced, wrote and directed, also plays a fictional version of himself, listed in the credits under his real name, Joe Levitch. The standard one-sheet poster (27-by-41 inches) with tagline, “It’s a series of silly consequences - and one of Jerry’s all-time great comedy performances!” can be acquired at a reasonable price. One example in folded fine/very fine condition sold at auction for $84.
“Cinderfella” (1960). The actor’s comic version of the old Cinderella tale, Lewis plays Fella, who, upon his father’s death, is forced to live with his evil stepmother (Judith Anderson) and her two conniving sons (Henry Silva, Robert Hutton). The latter take over dad’s former mansion, reducing poor Fella to servant status. A handsome insert poster (14-by-36 inches), with artwork by the iconic Norman Rockwell no less, in folded very fine-minus condition, sold at auction for $57. And on the expensive side? An original oil-and-pencil-on-canvas painting (17-by-23 inches) by Norman Rockwell, commissioned for the movie by Lewis himself for the sum of $50,000 in 1960, which served as the prototype art for all “Cinderfella” promotional posters, lobby cards, newspaper ads, magazine tearsheets and sheet music covers, later sold at auction in 2016 for $250,000.
“The Ladies Man” (1961). Jerry Lewis stars as Herbert H. Heebert, a young man who swears off romance after being dumped by his girlfriend. His next stop (of course!) is an all-female boarding house, where he finds challenging employment. Lewis also appears in drag as Mama Heebert. For something different, try the Australian Daybill poster (13-by-30 inches), released for consumption by audiences Down Under. One example in near mint-minus condition brought a bargain $14.34 at auction.
“The Errand Boy” (1961). Lewis stars as Morty S. Tashman, a paperhanging flunky who is hired by Paramutual Pictures’ Dexter Sneak (Howard McNear) as an errand boy. His real job - to spy on his fellow employees in order to determine where all the studio’s money is going. The movie’s standard one-sheet poster (27-by-41 inches), “Jerry Lewis as ‘The Errand Boy’ Fractures Hollywood With A Million Howls!” blares the tagline, is a real dandy. One example in folded fine/very fine condition hit a top bid of $37 at auction. A British quad poster (30-by-40 inches) can be a bit more pricey, with one example in folded fine/very fine selling for $119.50.
“The Nutty Professor” (1963). One of Jerry’s best-known films, the comic stars as Julius Kelp, a mousy chemistry professor whose concoction turns him into “Buddy Love,” a veritable chick magnet who proves irresistible to women. One problem, “the nutty professor” can’t control when he will change back to his former self. The beautiful, blond Stella Stevens co-stars. The movie’s standard one-sheet poster (27-by-41 inches) commands a pretty penny, with one example in very fine condition hitting a top bid of $143.40 at auction. The various foreign posters are really well done, including the French Grande poster (47-by-63 inches). Titled “Docteur Jerry et Mister Love,” one example in folded very fine-minus condition sold at auction for $113.53, no doubt reflecting the French people’s great affection for Lewis.
“The Patsy” (1964). Jerry Lewis stars as Stanley Belt, a nobody bellboy who is tapped to replace a dead comedian who had recently perished in a plane crash. Ina Balin appears as Ellen Betz, Jerry’s love interest. A complete set of eight lobby cards in very fine-minus condition brought $69 at auction.
“The Disorderly Orderly” (1964). Jerry Lewis stars as Jerome Littlefield, an orderly with medical school ambitions who runs amok at Whitestone Sanatorium and Hospital. Check out the grocery store scene – typical Lewis slapstick comedy – where a runaway gurney is pursued by several ambulances, resulting in the usual chaos and then some. The film’s standard one-sheet poster (27-by-41 inches) is a real howl, featuring the comic disclaimer: “NOTE: This picture was made entirely without the co-operation of any medical association!” One example in very fine-plus condition sold at auction for $67. An actual suit worn by Lewis in the film designed by Sy Devore/Hollywood brought a top bid of $2,750 at auction.
Auction results and images are courtesy of Heritage Auctions, Dallas, Texas.