Jerry showed Stan the script for The Bellboy in order to get his advice and he wrote down a number of suggestion which Jerry used to the letter. This is his way of saying thanks to a true comedy genius.
When Oliver Hardy passed away, Stan Laurel pretty much stayed off camera. He wouldn't even accept awards, not without the people who made it possible. Real loyalty to the team, you simply don't see that today.
Bill Richmond played “Stan”. He was a co-writer on a lot of Jerry Lewis films (Ladies’ Man, Errand Boy, Nutty Professor, The Patsy). The impression is “ok” but then again, no one could do Stan like Stan Laurel. Jerry wanted Stan to be his editor on all his films. He offered him a lot of money, but Stan refused. Jerry completed the Bellboy script and said he wouldn’t shoot one frame til Stan approved of it.
It is unlikely that Stan Laurel's health would have allowed him to travel to Florida to shoot a cameo. In any event, it is well known that after Ollie died, Stan refused all attempts to get him on camera.
Truly do miss Jerry Lewis one funny and enjoy classic film movies. This got be most great one both Stan in the room. Wish was box collection all Jerry Lewis films on blueray DVD and DVD. God bless him in heaven now.
Yeah. Can't believe it's practically three years since he passed away. Waaaaay back in 2006 I woke up early on Sunday, September 17th. I snapped on the TV and whatever channel was on they were doing a retrospective on Jerry Lewis. At that moment I thought he had passed away. I even woke up my fiancée and by the time the program was over we had sorted out the Mr. Lewis was, thankfully, still with us. I even took photos of Jerry Lewis on the TV screen which I referenced prior to posting my comment so I had the date correct.
Before I realized what this was from (a 1960 movie), I thought it would be the real Stan Laurel, and the movie would be from the 1930s, but then I saw the telephone and it looked modern to me. We used to have a rotary phone like that in the 1960s-80s at my house.
On the Dick Cavett show, Dick van Dyke was a guest. Well Mr Cavett impersonated Stan and it was even better than his guest's. Google it. It was spot on.
Stan Laurel was still alive in 1960. Matter of fact it was 5 years before he died. It's known that Lewis consulted Stan on this film. But if he was talking to him, why didn't Jerry Lewis (who also directed) just get the real Stan Laurel? They were cameos anyway. Yes, Stan was 69 in 1960. I think for Jerry Lewis -- the real Stanley would have done a walk on. That would have made the film even better. The only thing I can think of is a statement released after Oliver Hardy died in 1957: that Stan would not perform on stage or film without his friend. If that's so -- I stand corrected & respect Mr. Laurel's wishes to not take any roles.
It's known that Jerry was desperate to get Stan to do the cameo. Stan refused all offers to appear without Babe. What is less known is that Jerry sent Stan a pre-production script and asked for his advice. Stan, ever the gentleman ,made constructive comments in pencil on virtually every page. Jerry took these as gospel and re-wrote everything, even asking Stan to be credited as co-author. Again, Stan refused. After the picture came out, Stan made a rare trip outside his apartment to a cinema to watch it. While he had respect and gratitude for Jerry, he was relieved to have not been involved any further. The Bellboy was "not my cup" as he said. He remained true to his art. Nothing personal; just business between comedians.
Great information, thanks andy. Sounds like Stan would say that too. I didn't think "The Bellboy" was one of Lewis' better films. It's too bad Stan didn't make many TV appearances on talk shows or got an in-depth interview by either a reporter or magazine. He probably had tons of things he could have told us. I always found him and Oliver Hardy interesting -- especially when Hardy made an appearance in a John Wayne film ("The Kentuckian"). (Alfalfa from the Little Rascals also appeared briefly in two Wayne pics).
Stan Laurel refused to be in any film after Oliver Hardy died. He was offered a cameo in Its a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World and declined. The part instead went to Jack Benny. The guy playing Laurel in this movie is an actor/musician named Bill Richmond
How anyone can say jerry lewis wasnt funny is unreal....but whats even more funny is that if jerry lewis wasnt famous for his persona it wouldnt have led people here to make sad comments in the first place....
Jerry Lewis was funny very funny....he made millions of people laugh he was super entertaining and will be remembered for all time... While the losers who attack him like Francis Artanis and David Kent will always be sad.
Bullshit. Guy was a top box office attraction in the 60s, literally hit after hit after hit. His personal life I know wasn't good, far from a saint. I guess yours is.
Not just in his own mind, but in the minds of many other's as well. Just not yours, obviously. That's OK, everyone's entitled to their opinion. We can live with it.
That guy was a terrible Stan impersonator. And I don't get the purpose of the scene. Was it supposed to be implied that there was some passing of the torch or something? Not that it would be needed as Jerry Lewis was as great in his day as Stan Laurel was in his own.
Terrible .You are right.I sort of like jerry Lewis.Yet Stan laurel himself was a comic genius and very kind hearted man.Jerry Lewis tried too hard and had a huge ego.Plus as a person he was a total asshole.He should have taken Stan Laurel ,s kindheartedness.considering he supoposedly love stan Laurel.Also Jerry was a bigtime Liar.I saw him in a stan laurel Documentary.Lying about how Oliver Hardy became famous .Totally made up.yet that was Jerry lewis.I like some of his stuff.Yet as a person .He was an asshole.
Andrea Andrews Too much movement and eye blinking, also mouth opening and closing like a goldfish. Stan was generally slow and almost deliberate in his actions, sometimes taking a beat or two to react, as if his brain were processing what to do. It's not enough to look like Stan Laurel; the actor needs to capture his actions as well. I don't think this quite hits the mark.
In my opinion Jerry Lewis was incredibly overrated. I was always waiting for him to leave the screen. Suppose that what makes a market. Stan, on the other hand , could keep my attention for hours. His mimic in this scene managed to get a couple mannerisms, but then just kept repeating them. Shows you how great Stan Laurel really was.
My take on it is that he is and he isn't overrated. As a kid growing up in the 60s, Jerry was my go-to guy for comedy. I couldn't wait to find out through my Dad or in the TV guide when his movies were coming on, especially the ones with Dean. Now I look back and don't see it nearly as laughable. I have moved toward more intellectual humor/comedy. Not that I don't care for a little slapstick thrown in here and there. It's okay, but It's all about the timing and the situation.
Yes if you believe in gossip like half of the American population do then ...well. LOL Everyone is entitled to make their own decisions! People do that based on so many factors that you don't know anything about! Or do you??
Stan Laurel was a far superior comedian...Jerry Lewis was awful, so unfunny...there is no comparison...Stan was superb and Jerry sucked big time R I P Stan xxx
