The Bellboy
Encyclopedia
The Bellboy is a 1960 comedy film
starring, written by and directed
by Jerry Lewis
. The film was released on July 20, 1960 by Paramount Pictures
.
as Stanley, the bellboy, getting in many ridiculous situations, bumbling his way from one scene to the next. Stanley does not speak, except for the very end of the movie.
' debut as a director. Filming took place at the Fontainebleau Hotel
in Miami Beach, Florida
. Lewis would film during the day and perform in the nightclub at night.
Before filming began, Lewis consulted his friend, film legend Stan Laurel
, about the script. Since Laurel had worked in silent films and was familiar with pantomime, he offered suggestions to Lewis for the film. It is unknown if Lewis actually used any of Laurel's ideas in the production.
The film marked an early use of a video assist
system. Lewis needed a way to see the action as a director, even though he was in the scene.
Paramount
wanted to have a Jerry Lewis movie for summer release (in North America). The movie that they wanted to release was Cinderfella
, which had finished shooting in December 1959. Lewis wanted to hold back the release of that movie for the Christmas holiday and Paramount only agreed if Jerry could deliver them another movie for summer release. Therefore, while playing an engagement in Miami Beach, Lewis came up with this movie.
was in town performing at another hotel while Lewis was shooting the picture and he agreed to make an appearance as himself and in a dual role as another bellboy. Comedian (and future co-writer with Lewis on many of Jerry's subsequent films) Bill Richmond
does several "cameos" as Stan Laurel
of Laurel and Hardy
fame. Professional golfer Cary Middlecoff
, the "Golf Doctor," appeared in the film as himself.
commercials, where Jerry and other notable actors pick up the phone and say "Hello?"
Comedy film
Comedy film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. They are designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are mostly light-hearted dramas and are made to amuse and entertain the audiences...
starring, written by and directed
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
by Jerry Lewis
Jerry Lewis
Jerry Lewis is an American comedian, actor, singer, film producer, screenwriter and film director. He is best known for his slapstick humor in film, television, stage and radio. He was originally paired up with Dean Martin in 1946, forming the famed comedy team of Martin and Lewis...
. The film was released on July 20, 1960 by Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
.
Plot
The movie opens with a movie studio executive introducing the movie. He explains that the film itself has no plot, but simply shows Jerry LewisJerry Lewis
Jerry Lewis is an American comedian, actor, singer, film producer, screenwriter and film director. He is best known for his slapstick humor in film, television, stage and radio. He was originally paired up with Dean Martin in 1946, forming the famed comedy team of Martin and Lewis...
as Stanley, the bellboy, getting in many ridiculous situations, bumbling his way from one scene to the next. Stanley does not speak, except for the very end of the movie.
Production
It was filmed from February 8 to March 5, 1960 and marked Jerry LewisJerry Lewis
Jerry Lewis is an American comedian, actor, singer, film producer, screenwriter and film director. He is best known for his slapstick humor in film, television, stage and radio. He was originally paired up with Dean Martin in 1946, forming the famed comedy team of Martin and Lewis...
' debut as a director. Filming took place at the Fontainebleau Hotel
Fontainebleau Hotel
The Fontainebleau Miami Beach or the Fontainebleau Hotel is one of the most historically and architecturally significant hotels on Miami Beach. Opened in 1954 and designed by Morris Lapidus, it was considered the most luxurious hotel on Miami Beach, and is thought to be the most significant...
in Miami Beach, Florida
Miami Beach, Florida
Miami Beach is a coastal resort city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States, incorporated on March 26, 1915. The municipality is located on a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay, the latter which separates the Beach from Miami city proper...
. Lewis would film during the day and perform in the nightclub at night.
Before filming began, Lewis consulted his friend, film legend Stan Laurel
Stan Laurel
Arthur Stanley "Stan" Jefferson , better known as Stan Laurel, was an English comic actor, writer and film director, famous as the first half of the comedy team Laurel and Hardy. His film acting career stretched between 1917 and 1951 and included a starring role in the Academy Award winning film...
, about the script. Since Laurel had worked in silent films and was familiar with pantomime, he offered suggestions to Lewis for the film. It is unknown if Lewis actually used any of Laurel's ideas in the production.
The film marked an early use of a video assist
Video assist
Video assist is a system used in filmmaking which allows filmmakers to view a video version of a take immediately after it is filmed.Originally a small device, called the video tap, was installed inside a movie camera that allows the director to see approximately the same view as the camera...
system. Lewis needed a way to see the action as a director, even though he was in the scene.
Paramount
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
wanted to have a Jerry Lewis movie for summer release (in North America). The movie that they wanted to release was Cinderfella
Cinderfella
Cinderfella is a comedy film version of the classic Cinderella story, with several of the roles reversed. It was released December 16, 1960 by Paramount Pictures and stars Jerry Lewis as Fella.-Plot:...
, which had finished shooting in December 1959. Lewis wanted to hold back the release of that movie for the Christmas holiday and Paramount only agreed if Jerry could deliver them another movie for summer release. Therefore, while playing an engagement in Miami Beach, Lewis came up with this movie.
Cameos
Milton BerleMilton Berle
Milton Berlinger , better known as Milton Berle, was an American comedian and actor. As the manic host of NBC's Texaco Star Theater , in 1948 he was the first major star of U.S. television and as such became known as Uncle Miltie and Mr...
was in town performing at another hotel while Lewis was shooting the picture and he agreed to make an appearance as himself and in a dual role as another bellboy. Comedian (and future co-writer with Lewis on many of Jerry's subsequent films) Bill Richmond
Bill Richmond (writer)
Bill Richmond is an American film and television comedy writer and producer, as well as a musician, actor and composer. He co-wrote the screenplays to numerous popular films that starred Jerry Lewis. These films included The Nutty Professor, The Errand Boy and The Ladies Man...
does several "cameos" as Stan Laurel
Stan Laurel
Arthur Stanley "Stan" Jefferson , better known as Stan Laurel, was an English comic actor, writer and film director, famous as the first half of the comedy team Laurel and Hardy. His film acting career stretched between 1917 and 1951 and included a starring role in the Academy Award winning film...
of Laurel and Hardy
Laurel and Hardy
Laurel and Hardy were one of the most popular and critically acclaimed comedy double acts of the early Classical Hollywood era of American cinema...
fame. Professional golfer Cary Middlecoff
Cary Middlecoff
Emmett Cary Middlecoff was a dentist who gave up his practice to become a professional golfer on the PGA Tour in the 1940s....
, the "Golf Doctor," appeared in the film as himself.
In pop culture
A clip of this film was used in one of Apple's iPhoneIPhone
The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
commercials, where Jerry and other notable actors pick up the phone and say "Hello?"
External links
- The Bellboy at Rotten TomatoesRotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
- Review at TVGuide.com