Search - The Nutty Professor (Special Edition) on DVD

Humility

Wayne A. | Belfast, Northern Ireland | 09/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I once was one of those snots who dismissed the solo work of Jerry Lewis. No longer. After long years with classic silent comedy and Thirties screwball stuff I reluctantly went back to "The Nutty Professor" and my jaw dropped. This guy was a genius. This film has its roots, and plenty of them, but much of it is thoroughly unique and, dare I write it, visionary.

This is also a visually beautiful film with astonishing use of color. A real treat on that count alone. It's also a splendid updating of Jekyll and Hyde with real relevance for modern times.

I write this to those who may be captivated by Keaton, Laurel and Hardy, or Tati, but who've avoided Lewis for years. Honestly, give him another try."

Crazy, man

Flipper Campbell | Miami Florida | 01/01/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Paradox completists eventually must turn to la mystere de Jerry -- why is it that French film masters such as Godard and Truffaut so loved Jerry Lewis? The Franco-Lewis thing has become a well-worn joke -- something to swig down with Freedom Fries -- but it's a safe bet the directors weren't thinking of the braying, pratfalling side of the American comedian.

Instead, the new wavers cited Lewis' work from the early 1960s -- including what arguably are his best films as an actor and director: "The Nutty Professor" and "The Bellboy."

Paramount, Lewis' longtime studio, has released both titles in splendid widescreen versions, along with seven of his other films. Some titles come with full or partial commentaries from Lewis and his pal Steve Lawrence; other modest bonus features are spread about the collection.

"The Nutty Professor," from 1963, looks amazing in widescreen, awash in hot circus colors. Seeing Lewis' film in its original aspect ratio reveals the director's dedication to offbeat and rewarding visuals. The film earns its Special Edition tag with a vivid transfer, feature-length commentary, making-of featurette and a half-hour career survey called "Jerry Lewis at Work." Screen tests, outtakes and promos complete the package. Paramount isn't known for breaking a sweat with catalog-title extras, but this is a solid collection.

The plot -- a buck-toothed college teacher brews up a formula that transforms him into an obnoxious ladies' man -- allowed Lewis to revisit the yin-yang comic dynamic he first developed with smoothy Dean Martin. Lewis played both roles.

Speculation that the professor's swinging chemical creation, Buddy Love, was based on the real-life Martin elicits an emphatic denial. "This could never be Dean," Lewis says. "I loved Dean." Love was "a conglomeration of every unkind, nasty SOB I had seen all of my life."

Lewis gives love interest Stella Stevens a lot of credit for the film's success, saying she made scenes sparkle by listening so intently to his dialogue. "She was about the best actress I had ever worked with." Edith Head's sensual outfits and cinematographer Wally Kelley's close-ups intensified Stevens' already potent sex appeal."