How Jerry Lewis hit comedy gold: Five must-see movies

Jerry Lewis was a major movie force from the 1940s to 1960s. But he never received the acting accolades bestowed on some of his contemporaries.

One of the high points of Lewis’ career came when he received an honorary Oscar in 2009. The star had it mounted on a stand above his television.

“He’d say, ‘Most people are at home watching TV, I am at home watching my Oscar,’ ” says Gregg Barson, director of Method to the Madness of Jerry Lewis, a 2011 documentary. “It meant that much to him.”

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In a career full of hits, these were Lewis’ most successful movies:

'The Nutty Professor' (1963)

Lewis’ favorite of his films was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in its National Film Registry, which honors films that are “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.” Comedian Eddie Murphy paid respect with his own version: 1996 remake The Nutty Professor and its 2000 sequel Nutty Professor II: The Klumps.

“Beyond being one of his best films, it’s one of the classic comedy films of all time,” says Barson.

'The Bellboy' (1960)

The fascinating backstory: Lewis promised Paramount he would deliver a Jerry Lewis film for a 1960 summer release if they agreed to hold back his completed Cinderfella until the holiday season.

He proceeded to make The Bellboy (he produced, wrote and directed) in record time, all while performing his nightclub act in Miami. Lewis plays a mute bellboy at a luxurious hotel.

“His brilliant performance echoes that of his beloved Charlie Chaplin, as Jerry doesn’t utter a sound until the last sentence of the film,” says Barson.

Lewis also invented the video assist for the film, which is used to this day in film and television production. Using the device, he could see himself act on monitors in his directorial debut.

Paramount kept its end of the bargain and Lewis profited. “The movie went on to make him millions,” says Barson.

'Cinderfella' (1960)

Lewis’ comedy version of the classic Cinderella story, with Lewis in the Fella role and Anna Maria Alberghetti in the Princess Charming role.

“This is the magical fairy tale story done in ‘Jerry’ style. Big, bold, colorful, musical and funny,” says Barson. “Jerry could relate to this character because he was a young, struggling performer who magically transformed into the belle of the ball.”

'The Patsy' (1964)

Lewis co-wrote, directed and starred in this tale of a famous comedian who dies in a plane crash, only to have his management team find a bellboy (Lewis) to take his place.

“Jerry beautifully skewers the entertainment industry,” says Barson. “This was way ahead of its time, and classic Jerry.”

'The King of Comedy' (1983)

The Martin Scorsese-directed film was a study of celebrity worship in American society long before TMZ. Robert De Niro starred as a talentless aspiring comic who kidnaps a highly successful comedian, Jerry Langford (Lewis).

The scene where a disgruntled fan wishes cancer upon him was taken from Lewis’ own life.