The Nutty Professor (1963)

86% of critics liked it
(22 reviews)
64% of users liked it
(32,244 ratings)

Professor Julius F. Kelp (Jerry Lewis) is an addle-brained, absent-minded chemistry instructor always incurring the wrath of the university administration by continually blowing up the classroom laboratory. The shy guy has his eyes on the student body of Stella (Stella Stevens). When a… More Professor Julius F. Kelp (Jerry Lewis) is an addle-brained, absent-minded chemistry instructor always incurring the wrath of the university administration by continually blowing up the classroom laboratory. The shy guy has his eyes on the student body of Stella (Stella Stevens). When a football-playing bully humiliates him, Kelp tries to concoct a chemical to help him gain physical strength and stature. The potion turns him into the handsome, hard-edged nightclub singer named Buddy Love. The mild-mannered professor's alter ego becomes a self-absorbed campus favorite at the Purple Pit, a hangout for hip cats and kittens. Stella falls for the enigmatic entertainer who wows the crowd with his jazzy, breezy delivery and cool demeanor. Buddy mixes it up with the bartender (Buddy Lester), who is instructed on how to mix the latest drinks by the professor-turned-party animal. The drawback of the potion is that it wears off at the most embarrassing an inopportune times for Buddy, turning him back into the helpless Kelp. Buddy performs at the annual student dance, and while on the dais, the elixir starts to wear off. The students and staff watch in amazement as he changes back into the professor. He gives an impassioned plea that people must learn to like themselves before others can like them in return. Stella still wants to be the teacher's pet, and the two make future plans together. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 47 min.
Directed By: Jerry Lewis
Written By: Jerry Lewis, Bill Richmond
Genres: Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 4, 1963 Wide
On DVD: Oct 17, 2000
Studio: Paramount Home Video

Critic Reviews

Charles Cassady, Common Sense Media
Jerry Lewis' Jekyll-Hyde spoof is dated but great.
Stefan Birgir Stefansson, sbs.is
a quite funny romp
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Certainly Jerry Lewis at his best.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
It's a brilliant job of direction, but the film couldn't have worked without Lewis' performance in both roles.
Eric Henderson, Slant Magazine
Contains some of Lewis's most outré directorial flourishes.
Boo Allen, Denton Record Chronicle (TX)
The entire Jerry Lewis collection gives a chance to witness his varied range, which, by now, many movie-goers have forgotten or are unware of.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Silly, manic, juvenile, square, unfunny in an offensive way and serving as an egomaniacal testament to Mr. Lewis.
Lori Hoffman, Atlantic City Weekly
Much better than the remake; Jerry Lewis' best movie.

Read all 8 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cindy I

Pretty good movie, and this is coming from somewhere who isn't a Jerry Lewis fan...not by a long shot.
xGary X

Jerry Lewis' best film. That's like having a heirarchy of manure.
Dannielle A

So hilarious. I hate dirty modern humor. But this movie was funny in a subtle, less crude way.
Lord N

well, This film was a rather odd film. I have never seen any work by Jerry Lewis before so I had absolutely no idea what to expect with this film. I liked it. it was an entertaining film, but it was very odd. I don't really give away plot details, but I will say that this film is… More
well, This film was a rather odd film. I have never seen any work by Jerry Lewis before so I had absolutely no idea what to expect with this film. I liked it. it was an entertaining film, but it was very odd. I don't really give away plot details, but I will say that this film is a comedic version of Dr. Jeckell and Mr. Hyde. I'm not sure what else to say about this film. it wasn't too laugh out loud funny...ever I don't think. many scenes were amusing but that was about it. I will say that Jerry Lewis did a great job in this one. but yeah, it was a decent comedy. not one that I would re watch anytime soon but I liked it. a good film. TRIVIA TIME: According to one of the trailers for this film, "We don't care if you blab about the beginning of this picture; nor do we care if you give away the ending; but we do care if you reveal the middle. In fact, Jerry Lewis urges you to see this picture from the beginning, on penalty of losing your popcorn privileges." This spoofs Alfred Hitchcock's dictum that Psycho (1960) had to be seen from the beginning and his insistence that no latecomers be seated ("not even the [theatre] manager's brother").
Lee K

Old Jerry Lewis movies are freaking hilarious this one being no exception. Give it a try alot of these old classics get forgotten in the toss due to people thinking that they will be simply corny. Corny? yes but they have alot of laughs that make it all worth while. Give the updated… More
Old Jerry Lewis movies are freaking hilarious this one being no exception. Give it a try alot of these old classics get forgotten in the toss due to people thinking that they will be simply corny. Corny? yes but they have alot of laughs that make it all worth while. Give the updated one with Eddie Murphy a shot one of the remakes that is actually quite good.

Cast

            Jerry Lewis as Buddy Love

            Stella Stevens as Stella Purdy

            Del Moore as Dr. Hamius R. Warfield

            Kathleen Freeman as Millie Lemmon

            Med Flory as Football Player

            Howard Morris as Father Kelp

            Norman Alden as Football Player

            Milton Frome as Dr. Leevee

            Buddy Lester as Bartender

            Marvin Kaplan as English Boy

            David Landfield as College Student

            Skip Ward as Football Player

            Julie Parrish as Student

            Henry Gibson as Student

            Elvia Allman as Mother Kelp

            Murray Alper as Judo Instructor

            Les Brown as Himself

            Mushy Callahan as Cab Driver

            Joe Forte as Faculty Member

            Gavin Gordon as Salesman Clothier

            Doodles Weaver as Rube

            Dave Willock as Bartender

            Celeste Yarnall
            
            Francine York as Student

            Gary Lewis as Boy
See full cast