Search - The Family Jewels on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Suitable for Children Movie Release: 1965 DVD Release: 10/12/2004 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned Edition: Special Collection Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 39 mins Studio: Paramount Members Wishing: 1 Genres: Comedy, Parody/Spoof, Satire

As if one Jerry Lewis wasn't enough, The Family Jewels offers no fewer than seven Jerrys. Fans of Lewis will like the film. Others should be advised to steer clear of any and all French film festivals. The plot revolves around nine-year-old Donna Peyton (Donna Butterworth), who stands to inherit 30 million dollars. The catch: Donna must pick a new daddy from her late father's six closest male relatives. Lewis spends most of the film playing family chauffeur Willard Woodward, whom Donna loves above all others. He also portrays snaggle-toothed gangster "Bugs" Peyton, hirsute sea captain James Peyton, flying fool Captain Eddie Peyton, cynical clown Everett Peyton, Holmes-like detective Skylock Peyton (whose "Dr. Matson" is corpulent Sebastian Cabot), and photographer Julius Peyton (a reprise of Lewis' Nutty Professor character Julius Kelp). Though fitfully amusing, The Family Jewels is too sloppily put together to completely satisfy anyone other than Lewis' most fervent fans. Best bits: the in-flight movie starring Anne Baxter, the marathon pool game, and Bugs Peyton's outrage at being called a rat fink. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Jerry Lewis - Willard Woodward
Jerry Lewis - Skylock Peyton
Jerry Lewis - Julius Peyton
Jerry Lewis - James Peyton
Jerry Lewis - Everett Peyton
Jerry Lewis - Capt. Eddie Peyton
Jerry Lewis - Bugs Peyton
Sebastian Cabot - Dr. Matson
Donna Butterworth - Donna Peyton
Neil Hamilton - John Wyman
Gene Baylos - Circus Clown
Milton Frome - Pilot
Jay Adler - Attorney

Jerry Lewis became one of the biggest movie stars in the world thanks to his anarchic energy and his manic silliness. In 2004, Paramount released many of Lewis' most famous films on DVD. One of those discs, The Family Jewels, offers a widescreen transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of the film. English and French soundtracks have been rendered in Dolby Digital Mono. English and Spanish subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include a commentary track recorded by Lewis and his good friend singer Steve Lawrence that often lapses into stretches of silence. Also included are the original theatrical trailer, bloopers, and screen tests. This is a fine release that should thrill fans of the rubber-faced funnyman. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide