Search - The Patsy on DVD

Thoughtful, reflexive and funny

mythologue | 05/29/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Patsy, Lewis' fifth film as a director and one of his best, can be considered as a semi-sequel to both The Bellboy (his first) and The Errand Boy (his third). Like its two predecessors, it features a confrontation between a complete outsider (always played by Lewis) and a lavish, illusionistic and mercantile milieu. As in all of his films, the interplay between 'Lewis the artist' (a natural performer whose inventiveness knows no bounds) and 'Lewis the star' (has more swagger, aggressiveness and self-confidence but far less freedom) is central here. It takes place in a single character (named Stanley as in The Bellboy) whose road to stardom is as unexpected and multi-layered as Morty's was in The Errand Boy. In many ways, the artist-star conflict is resolved in the postmodern conclusion: Lewis' choice to equal Stanley with himself - and The Patsy's world with 'reality' - implies that the true star-artist is finally made possible. Some of the movie's set pieces - Stanley's first appearance, the singing lesson, the silent flashback, the failed stand-up performance - are among the most effective of Lewis' filmography, seamlessly weaving together the sophisticated and the grotesque. A very impressive film from an underrated filmmaker."

Jerry Lewis Manipulated, Again

Lonnie E. Holder | Columbus, Indiana, United States | 06/09/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"When a star comedian dies his team decides to replace him. Jerry Lewis is the fortunate, or unfortunate, victim. We see the team, which includes Ellen Betz (Ina Balin), Harry Silver (Keenan Wynn), Morgan Heywood (Peter Lorre), and Bruce Alden (John Carradine), among others, attempt to transform Stanley Belt (Lewis) from a bumbling bellboy to a comedian.

There is a tie-in to another Lewis movie. In 1960 Lewis starred in "The Bellboy," where he played Stanley. However, I thought that the bellboy in the earlier movie was much more confident and capable than the bellboy in this later movie.

There are portions of this movie that I thought were funny. There were even portions that I found touching. However, in comparison to many of Jerry Lewis's other movie; I thought this movie was less funny. Sometimes the attempts at humor fell flat for me. However, I will also note that this movie is quite popular with fans of Jerry Lewis.

If you like only some of Jerry Lewis's movies, you may find this one too tedious to be enjoyable. If you are a fan of Jerry Lewis, likely you will find this movie to be humorous. However, Jerry Lewis had many other films that were better and funnier.
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The Patsy is certainly one of Lewis' best efforts!

PATRICK J.POWERS | Duncombe,IA | 08/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you like the humor of Jerry Lewis when it comes to spoofing the entertainment world then this is the VHS to own in your collection. Personally I thought it was one of his best efforts with his years with Paramount. A great cast of Hollywood's past is featured in this 40 year old comedy. It's a rollicking look at creating a big time wannabe from Lewis' own perspective. Enjoy!"

A great technicolor Jerry Lewis movie from 1964

Frank Melton | St. Louis | 05/01/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jerry's movies took the same path as Elvis movies - downhill, becoming less ambitious and relying on a formula that was way past the expiration date - they are only tolerable because of their stars - and usually only tolerable to the biggest of fans - "The Patsy" is an example - if you love Jerry then you will love this - this is my favorite Jerry - 1960s surf/beatles era Jerry - his movies took on a surreal tone in the 1960s - the colors, the abstract sets, the silent visual gags - very staged, very artificial and very cinematic - even the smaller scale ones like "The Patsy" - Jerry and company could deliver a lot with very little coin - great stuff - required film school viewing"