The Errand Boy (1961)
Paramutual Pictures wants to know where all the money is going so they hire Morty to be their spy. Morty works for Mr. Sneak and gets a job in the mail room so that he can have access to the lot. But all that Morty ever finds is that he can cause havoc no matter what he does.
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Very disappointed :(
This Movie Can Only Be Described With One Word.
Load of rubbish!!
The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.
Jerry Lewis directs, co-writes and stars in The Errand Boy. Film finds the hapless Lewis hired as an errand boy behind the scenes at Paramutual Pictures. There's a method in the madness, had honcho Tom Paramutual (Brian Donlevy sadly under used) wants him to spy behind the scenes to see why the studio is loosing so much money. Chaos inevitably follows.Forget the plot, there actually isn't one to hang your hat on, film consists mostly of Lewis skits strung together as he takes us around the workings of the back lot of Paramount. There's a caustic edge to the piece, with Lewis and co-writer Bill Richmond gleefully saying that where film making is concerned, all that glitters is not gold. Some of the visual gags work, others not so, with a couple running far too long to actually work. But as always with Lewis, his best moments detract from the bad to leave the film entertaining for his fans, even if it struggles to stretch the premise over 90 minutes. 6/10
Mr Lewis is of an acquired taste but for anyone with a shred of a sense of humour, he is one of the kings. If this is NOT his best movie, it's certainly in the top 3.One or two of the routines are copied from other comedians but the rest are just pure genius. Check out the scene in the board room where Jerry does a great mime to a Count Basie track. Unfortunately, there is the usual sentiment which slows the comedy down and I personally find that boring and a bit off putting but when the comedy returns it's well worth waiting for.I would place this movie up there with The Nutty Professor and It's Only Money (a film I REALLY do think is underrated).If you've never seen a Jerry Lewis film you could do a lot worse than start with this and don't let any of Jerry detractors put you off - judge for yourself.The man's an idiot but a brilliant idiot!!!
One of the first of many Jerry Lewis comedies that Paramount (Paramutual) Studios would produce throughout the late 50's and 60's. I disappointment to not have the movie in color, the black and white not only shows the movie's early roots, but the classic Hollywood esq. that the movie takes place in. In many ways, the movie opens and closes poking fun at the Hollywood system and the people in it. The ending showcases a moral that if you are in the right place at the right time and that you know the right people, you too can make it in Hollywood. \ Jerry Lewis has many moments throughout the movie. Many if not all re comical. His childlike qualities gives Lewis the reputation that he can do no wrong. Like most Jerry Lewis movies, he is not the only highlight. All of his movies have a strong central cast without any weak links. All the supporting characters (funny or not) are terrific. An interesting scene with the New York based filmmaker. In a way, it shows the different ethic that east coast has compared to the west coast. One of the more interesting parts of the movie, it is far from anything comical. It makes me wonder why Jerry Lewis included it in the film.....being from the east coast himself.
THE ERRAND BOY (1961) ** Jerry as a goofy movie studio employee mistakenly hired as an efficiency expert.