Customer Reviews

The Bellboy

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

By today's standards, this may not be considered an outrageously funny movie - back in the day, I can see that this would have been hilarious. I really love Jerry Lewis and it's one of the better roles I've seen him in. He doesn't have too much of a dialogue in this - whenever he is playing the bellboy character Stanley, he only whistles and uses his facial expressions to emote his clumsiness.
The only scene where I truly laughed out loud, was when he was in charge of the bellboy desk for a short time and one of the four phones would ring. Do you think he knew which phone to answer? Of course not. Other than that, it was good throughout but just not as funny as I would have hoped. He is a genius for sure, but I prefer him doing his crazy voices. Even so, I'd recommed this to his fans, as I'm sure they'll definately enjoy it.

This film occurred when Jerry Lewis needed a summer movie, Paramount wanted to release "Cinderfella", but Lewis insisted that wait for the Christmas season. Therefore, on a shoe-string budget he created his first masterpiece as actor, director, producer, and writer all on one film (with "The Ladies' Man", "The Nutty Professor", and other notables to follow). The film promises--from the beginning--to be about "fun", no more, no less. Indeed, it is pretty much a romp through sketches involving Stanley, a bellboy. Nevertheless, Lewis couldn't help added some social commentary, and the scene where he plays himself is among one of cinema's finest moments. Certainly not his best work--overall--but a great start to what is a lavish solo career.

The start of the funny parodies. Every scene is funny, Lewis has very different versatile roles in this movie.

Another fabulous Jerry Lewis gem from his Paramount years! The sight gags are still funny to this day. If you enjoy the fun of Jerry Lewis then don't miss this one!!

Too funny!! 25+people getting out of one car...twin stars/bellboys...the Stanley gag...the invisible apple...Jerry Lewis is as great as he is silly! I really enjoy his movies especially when I need to laugh he is right on time with the comedy!

This is a hilarious movie about a few months in the life of a young quiet bellboy who does not say much at all. It has many different situations that the poor guy goes through, like giving the guests a car engine from their "trunk". This movie will have you rolling on the floor laughing at all the silly things that go on.

i think that anyone would love this movie it is so funny and i will watch it over and over again

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.

I'm so happy they are finally releasing this on DVD. It is one of Jerry Lewis' best films.

Now keep in mind, this is a Jerry Lewis film, and I realize that some people just don't "Get" Jerry Lewis. If you are one of those people, this film is NOT for you. Oddly enough his early films with Dean Martin don't fall into this category, but that's another story.

You could almost compare this film to an episode of Sienfeld. It's a movie about nothing. There is no big plot, and there is no central event. It's essentially a look at life in a fancy hotel through the eyes of a simple minded bellboy.

A true test of an actor's skills is the way they can get a message across without speaking. In this film, the bellboy doesn't speak. It's not a silent movie, everyone else around him speaks and in many cases, shouts, at the bellboy. They bark out orders, order him around but they don't speak WITH him, or seem to care what he has to say.

One of the more interesting things about this film is seeing Jerry Lewis play himself, as a movie star guest of the hotel. You get to see an entirely different character.

There are very few Jerry Lewis DVDs out. I hope this is the first of many.

Chaplin. Tati. Lewis.

Keaton. Allen. Lewis.

Sandler. Schneider. Lewis.

Jerry Lewis is the last word in movie comedy. And The Bellboy, in all its black and white and wordless glory, is the best of them all.

Even better than Hardly Working.