Jerry Lewis | Hollywood Yesterday

BOTD in 1917, the Wonderful Dean Martin!

June 7, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Dean Martin

Dino Paul Crocetti was BOTD in1917 in Steubenville, Ohio, to Gaetano Alfonso Crocetti, a barber who was an Italian immigrant, and his wife, Angela, who was born in Ohio.

We often talk about great singers and obviously name Dean Martin. We talk about great comedy teams and obviously name Lewis & Martin. We all talk about great entertainers and obviously name Dean Martin. However, when we talk about all-time great comedians, we don’t bring up the name Dean Martin nearly enough.

Yet, the man was absolutely hilarious. When you watch his comedy routines and his hilarious talk show appearances, you realize he had a wonderful gift for comedy. I think the reason many don’t realize it is they believed him to always be drunk off his butt. He wasn’t, of course, but he acted the part to absolute perfection.

(Continued Below Dude…)

Dean Martin as Dude, Rio Bravo (1959)

Another thing Dean Martin doesn’t’ get enough credit for (IMO) is his acting. He gave each and every one of his roles exactly what it needed. He was never too large for the scene and certainly never too small. Drama, comedy, and everything in between. I love his westerns, comedies, and most definitely his Matt Helm movies.

Delirious fun!

My personal favorite Dean Martin Movies:

Rio Bravo (in arguably his best performance)
The Stooge
The Wrecking Crew
The Silencers
Airport
The Cannonball Run
Oceans 11
The Sons of Katie Elder
Artists and Models
Hollywood or Bust
You’re Never too Young
Pardners
Robin and the 7 Hoods
Living it Up
3 Ring Circus
The Caddy
That’s My Boy
At War with the Army
My Friend Irma
My Friend Irma Goes West
Sailor Beware
Jumping Jacks
Money from Home

Suffice to say, I’m a HUGE fan.

Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis Behind the Scenes of The Stooge

Sailor Beware: A FUN Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin Movie with Marion Marshall and Corinne Calvet

November 1, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin, Sailor Beware

I can assure you of certain things in life and this is one of them – there is NOT a bigger fan Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin movies on the planet than me. It is what it is and that’s how it is. I’d go so far as to say I’m the biggest fan of each actor as well, but given that each has family they have left behind, I’ll hold off on that claim.

See how reasonable I can be after my third cup of coffee?

My completely truthful answer to the question I’m often asked (“What’s your favorite Lewis and Martin film?“) is this: Whichever one I’m watching at the time or the one I saw last. That’s why the answer is often a different one.

Today it’s Sailor Beware (1952).

The fun movie stars Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin, French actress Corinne Calvet, and the always wonderful Marion Marshall. Marshall co-starred in three of the dynamic duo’s “Paramount movies:” “That’s My Boy” (1951), “The Stooge” (1951) and, finally, “Sailor Beware” (1952).

Dean Martin, Corinne Calvet, and Jerry Lewis Sailor Beware

You can find a great selection of Lewis & Martin dvd collections on Amazon (some of the best are linked below). Some of their individual movies (they made 16 together… naturally I nickname them the Sweet Sixteen because why wouldn’t I?) can be really tough to find. Fortunately the collections are very reasonably priced.

Jerry Lewis and Marion Marshall, Sailor Beware

Jerry Lewis in The Day the Clown Cried (1972)

March 13, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Jerry Lewis: The Day the Clown Cried

Today’s photo of the day is from the 1972 film, The Day the Clown Cried. It’s a powerful photo from a powerful (and devastatingly sad) film.

Plot: A circus clown (perfectly portrayed by Jerry Lewis… a much better actor than he is often given credit for) is imprisoned by the Nazis and follows Jewish children to their deaths.

The film and role were bold choices for Mr. Lewis and showcase just how much grit and guts the man had. He lived his life as a lovable clown, then flipped the script and showed us what it would look like when the clown’s heart broke completely.

It’s a film worth watching for anyone else who loves Jerry Lewis as much as I do. He did a spectacular job with acting and directing this film and was also one of the writers.

Jerry Lewis and Stella Stevens, The Nutty Professor

February 18, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Jerry Lewis and Stella Stevens, The Nutty Professor

I absolutely love The Nutty Professor, starring Jerry Lewis (who also directed the fun movie) and Stella Stevens. They worked beautifully together and I cannot imagine another star in either of these colorful roles.

If you haven’t seen this adorable twosome in The Nutty Professor (Amazon dvd link) in a while, check them out soon – you’ll fall in love with them all over again.

This film isn’t talked nearly enough about – it is one heckuva fun ride.

Jerry Lewis and Sammy Davis, Jr.

November 29, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Jerry Lewis and Sammy Davis, Jr.

Jerry Lewis and Sammy Davis, Jr. are two of my all-time favorite entertainers. My mom was one of the biggest Sammy Davis, Jr. fans in the world. She would listen to his music over and over again. In fact, “The Candy Man” is the first song I can remember hearing and I love it to this day.

I often think of legacies left behind by our favorite stars and these two men have beautiful lasting legacies. Legacies of laughter, happiness, joy, and helping others (Jerry Lewis’ work for Muscular Dystrophy is as legendary as his comedies).

These two make a perfectly wonderful picture of the day, if you ask me!

How Well Do You Know Rosemary Clooney? 16 Fast Facts About a Multi-Talented Star

May 11, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Rosemary Clooney, Dean Martin, and Jerry Lewis on The Colgate Comedy Hour

One of my quirkiest regrets (when it comes to Old Hollywood stars) is that so many aren’t remembered as they “should be” or as they “deserve to be.” Many, especially when they became older, did television and/or commercials and this is how many are remembered by most. If only they had prophetic advisers to tell them to steer clear of commercials. They’re shown so frequently (and right in the comfort of the viewer’s own home!) that the image becomes ingrained.

The only way for us Old Hollywood enthusiasts to counter that is to get more pictures, videos, and information OUT THERE of the stars when they were full of vitality, packed with talent, and beautifully radiant.

When I think about this conundrum, one of the names that always comes to mind is Rosemary Clooney. This actress and singer was very beautiful and talented, and.. could she ever sing?! She absolutely had the voice of an angel.

There’s so much more to her than paper towel commercials!

Rosemary Clooney Trivia:

Rosemary was born and raised in Maysville, Kentucky – she was one of five children.
The street in Maysville – where her parents lived when she was born – was renamed in her honor.
Rosemary and her sister Betty sang at their grandfather’s mayoral election campaigns, which he won three times.
Her big break came in in 1954 when she starred in White Christmas Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Vera-Ellen.
She and then-husband José Ferrer had five children between 1955 and 1960. The marriage was a very tempestuous one and is cited for the cause of her nervous breakdown in 1968. She recovered and returned to work in 1976.
George Clooney is her nephew (he’s the son of Rosemary’s brother Nick Clooney).
Rosemary’s son, Gabriel is married to singer Debby Boone.
Once Rosemary was performing with singer/pianist Michael Feinstein at the Hollywood Bowl. Before taking the stage, they were both noticeably nervous. Expecting Rosemary to give him words of strength and encouragement, Michael Feinstein was shocked when she told him, “Don’t think this ever gets any easier!“
One of her more interesting quotes (and she had a lot of them!) was: “In the final analysis, it’s true that fame is unimportant. No matter how great a man is, the size of his funeral usually depends on the weather.”
She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording in Hollywood, California.
She performed annually at the “Rosemary Clooney Music Festival” in her hometown of Maysville, Kentucky.
Beginning in 1980, Rosemary called Augusta, Kentucky home. What a peaceful retreat it must have been from her busy showbiz days!
On October 1st, 2005, her Augusta, Kentucky home was partially transformed into a celebration of her life, The Rosemary Clooney House – a non-profit foundation headed by former Kentucky Lt. Gov Dr. Steve Henry and his wife, former Miss America and Augusta native, Heather French Henry.
After Rosemary Clooney’s death, her children bought the home from the Henrys.
The Rosemary Clooney House has the largest collection of White Christmas memorabilia in the world.
Rosemary Clooney is buried at St. Patrick’s Cemetery near her mother and grandmother in Maysville, Ky.

Below, Rosemary Clooney sings “Hey There.”

Be prepared to become obsessed with this beautiful voice.

Review: The Stooge, Starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis (Love this Movie!)

March 21, 2018 By Joi Leave a Comment

One of my favorite quotes of all time is, “I just want to spend the rest of my life laughing.” I honestly don’t know WHO originated the quote because each time I see (or hear) it, I’m too busy thinking, “AMEN!” to look for a name. I’m one of those people (for better or worse) who finds humor in most situations – if there isn’t any to be found, I do my darnedest to create some. If that can’t be done, I just part ways with the situation.

Okay, so I’m exaggerating a little but the truth of the matter is this – I love to laugh and do so many times throughout the day. Not surprisingly, many of my absolute favorite stars (Lucille Ball, Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin, Carol Burnett, Abbott and Costello, Laurel and Hardy, Rue McClanahan, Bob Hope, Desi Arnaz, Redd Foxx, Don Knotts…) are those who fully support my funny bone fetish.

I’m convinced that it was actually Lewis and Martin, Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, and Abbott and Costello that turned me into the clown I am. I grew up watching (and loving) them – I guess, as a child, I assumed every single day was filled with laughter. I soon learned that every day does not come with laughter… perhaps that’s when I began trying to create craziness where none existed.

One of our cats (Nacho) and I recently rewatched one of four favorite movies, “The Stooge,” (1951) starring the wonderful Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. These men were just brilliant – geniuses in every sense of the word.

Before getting to the movie, I have to tell you how much Nacho loves this movie. As you’d expect from a Classic Movie blogger, I watch a lot of old movies… A LOT. Yet, The Stooge is the only movie this particular cat will sit through with me. He settles in and, I kid you not, watches the entire movie with me. I used to think it was Jerry Lewis’ voice (especially high in this role) that fascinated him, but he doesn’t fully commit himself to other Lewis movies like he does this one.

Synopsis: Bill Miller (Dean Martin) is trying to make it big as a singer. In spite of having a phenomenal voice, he’s just not achieving the type of success he strives for OR the level of fame Bill fully believes Bill deserves!

His luck changes after he’s teamed up with an adorably flighty comic named Theodore (Jerry Lewis). They become a huge success but Bill’s pride is convinced the draw is HIM, not THEM…. and he certainly wouldn’t consider giving “Ted” any credit. Bill’s pride gets in his way and nearly ruins his relationship with Mary (played by the beautiful Polly Bergen) and his career. Mary, as well as everyone else, sees that the success is just as much the stooge‘s credit as Bill’s.

Jerry Lewis’ Ted Hitting the High Notes… as in Assaulting Them!

Too cute for her own good Marion Marshall appears in The Stooge as Genevieve “Frecklehead” Tait, Ted’s love interest and none other than Frances Bavier (Aunt Bee) stas as Ted’s mother. They help round out a very talented and hilarious cast.

As much as I love (love, love, love) The Stooge, I have to admit… it takes a hot minute to get going. Once it hits its stride, though, it’s an especially fun ride. The best part of the ride is, undoubtedly, the wonderful ending.

MOVIE. MAGIC.

I don’t know about you, but my movie motto is this: A movie is only as good as its ending. I’ve never understood why movie makers would settle for anything less than a stellar ending – after all, its the last thing a viewer sees and the first thing they remember.

The Stooge has one of the best endings of any movie and I love every single thing about it.

So does Nacho.

(Concluded Below….)

Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin: Just One More ChanceJerry Lewis called this his favorite Martin and Lewis movie, which is saying a lot since they were all extra, extra, extra special. He believed that this movie best-represented the phenomenon he and Martin had in real life.

Lewis and Martin made 17 movies together between 1949-1956. The Stooge was actually filmed in 1951, but it wasn’t released until 1953. Seems Paramount was entirely sure how this film’s dramatic moments would play out at the box office. Of all the Lewis and Martin movies, The Stooge brings the most drama. This is why, if you’re a huge fan of their comedies like I am, the film seems to take a bit to find its footing. It’s simply not the “one hilarious scene after the other” laughathons we’re accustomed to with their movies.

It is, however, one of the best – which is a real tribute to their talents.

Nacho and I both hope you’ll see this movie soon – whether it’s for the first or fortieth time, the ending will move you.

And don’t you love it when a movie does that?