With Jerry Lewis returning to the screen in Max Rose, it’s time to stop and recall the laughs he gave me during my childhood. Jerry’s films were always welcome in our home and the Labor Day weekend Telethon was a yearly event. When he would appear during the telecast, Mom would always call me into the living room to see what antics he may be up to. I saw the majority of his comedies playing on TV growing up and the few that have eluded me over the years I have slowly located other than his two French films of 1984 and of course the notorious film he has kept from the public eye, The Day The Clown Cried.
Knowing Jerry essentially quit making films in 1970 for the next decade, I went with some other youngsters to see the 1980 release of Hardly Working at the theater. When he appeared in Scorsese’s The King of Comedy, I saw that too though I’m not sure I fully appreciated it at that time as I do now. It would be unfair not to mention that I consider myself a big fan of Jerry’s partner in film up until 1956, Dean Martin. The two of them together kept us in stitches as kids and even today, can still give me a good chuckle.
And anytime one talks of Jerry we need to pay respect to that wonderful character actress who always seemed to turn up to torment many of Jerry’s meek characters, Kathleen Freeman.
I look forward to finally getting a look at Max Rose.
A couple of Martin and Lewis teamings.
Jerry’s first film minus long time straight man Dino.
One of my favorite Jerry films is this laugh fest with a heart.
Jerry gives us a warped version of the famed story but best of all is the smart casting of Henry Silva as one of the ugly stepbrothers.
When in need of a delivery, just call ….
The must see Lewis classic.
A heavy dose of Professor Kelp turns up in this Jerry flick as well.
Jerry returns to the big screen for all us kiddies to enjoy for a Sunday matinee.
Playing it straight in this vastly underrated film from Martin Scorsese and featuring Jerry opposite Rupert Pupkin. AKA Robert DeNiro.
A recent find has allowed me to include a Jerry Lewis original one sheet in the vault here at home that also features Rat Pack member Peter Lawford.
Mike's Take On the Movies 
Excellent. You never, ever fail to disappoint, sir. That Hardly Working poster cracks me up for a few reasons, but I’ll save those for a review one of these days…
Thank you Sir. I was surprised to see I didn’t have a Jerry poster in the collection so grabbed that one this past weekend. I’ll look forward to the Hardly Working review.
Reblogged this on Mike's Take On the Movies ………. Rediscovering Cinema's Past and commented:
Hearing the news today of Jerry’s passing a definite loss to the world of comedy and movies in general. Growing up on Lewis movies I have already featured Jerry here in the past and will today, repost my tribute to the posters that featured Jerry making me laugh.