The Bellboy

Infobox Film
name = The Bellboy


image_size =
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director = Jerry Lewis
producer = Jerry Lewis
Ernest D. Glucksman
writer = Jerry Lewis
narrator =
starring = Jerry Lewis
Alex Gerry
Bob Clayton
Milton Berle
music =
cinematography =
editing =
distributor = Paramount Pictures
released = July 20, 1960
runtime = 72 min.
country = U.S.
language = English
budget =
preceded_by =
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website =
amg_id =
imdb_id = 0053644

"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.

A clip of this film was used in Apple's iPhone commercial, where Jerry and other notable actors pick up the phone and saying "Hello?"

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 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 Lewis' 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. ["Jerry Lewis At Work" (included in the Paramount DVD release of "The Nutty Professor"]

This film was the first one in which the video assist was used. Lewis needed a way to see the action as a director, even though he was in the scene. Therefore, he came up with the idea of using a video monitor to play back the scene immediately after it was shot to review it. Because of this invention, Lewis was awarded the Golden Light Technical Achievement Award, and holds the patent for its invention.

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.

Cameos

Milton Berle 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 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.

DVD release

References

External links

*imdb title|0053644