The Patsy (1964)

80% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
61% of users liked it
(1,558 ratings)

Toward the end of Jerry Lewis's Paramount studio period, Lewis slapped together this bitter comedy about Hollywood phoniness and fame that has to be the most rancid portrait of the Hollywood star system in the Rat Pack era this side of Clifford Odets. When a famous entertainer suddenly is killed in… More Toward the end of Jerry Lewis's Paramount studio period, Lewis slapped together this bitter comedy about Hollywood phoniness and fame that has to be the most rancid portrait of the Hollywood star system in the Rat Pack era this side of Clifford Odets. When a famous entertainer suddenly is killed in an airplane crash, his team of flunkies -- producer Caryl Fergusson (Everett Sloane), writer Chic Wymore (Phil Harris), press agent Harry Silver (Keenan Wynn), director Morgan Heywood (Peter Lorre in his final film role), valet Bruce Alden (John Carradine), and secretary Ellen Betz (Ina Balin) -- decide to continue their life style by finding a complete unknown and manufacturing him into a Hollywood star. That unknown turns out to be the nervous and inept bellboy Stanley Belt (Jerry Lewis). They train Stanley to become an over-night singing sensation, and despite a disastrous recording session and a failed nightclub performance, the public relations blitz makes Stanley's recording of "I Lost My Heart in a Drive-In Movie" a smash single. So much so that Stanley is given a shot at appearing on "The Ed Sullivan Show." Expecting the worst, Stanley's management team abandons him right before his performance. But Stanley musters up enough confidence to go on the live program alone and manages to surprise his pessimistic ex-staff. A collection of Hollywood celebrities circa 1964 --George Raft, Ed Wynn, Ed Sullivan, Mel Torme, Rhonda Fleming and Hedda Hopper -- make cameo appearances. High spots include an apocalyptic music lesson with voice teacher Dr. Mule-rrr (Hans Conried), Ed Sullivan performing a bizarre impersonation of himself, and an ending that would make even Jean-Luc Godard blush. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 20 min.
Directed By: Jerry Lewis
Genres: Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 12, 1964 Wide
On DVD: Oct 12, 2004

Critic Reviews

Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Who is Jerry Lewis, and why is he funny when he's serious and serious when he's funny?
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Jerry follows along the comedy lines of Chaplin, but with far less good results.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Jerry Lewis romp has its rib tickles.
Eric Henderson, Slant Magazine
The Patsy reflects a genuine affection for the artisans and jacks-of-all-trades that make careers like Lewis's possible.
Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)
Frantic and over-produced, with the ungoverned star at his spastic worst.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Fascinatingly made Lewis film. Too bad it's not very funny.

Read all 6 critic reviews

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Cast

            Jerry Lewis as Stanley Belt

            Ina Balin as Ellen Betz

            Everett Sloane as Caryl Fergusson

            Phil Harris as Chic Wymore

            Keenan Wynn as Harry Silver

            Peter Lorre as Morgan Heywood

            John Carradine as Bruce Alden

            Hans Conried as Prof. MuleRRR

            Phil Foster as Himself

            Richard Deacon as Sy Devore

            Neil Hamilton as Barber

            Scatman Crothers as Shoeshine Boy

            Del Moore as Police Officer

            Nancy Kulp as Theatergoer

            Fritz Feld as Maitre D'

            Jerome Cowan as Executive

            Henry Slate as Paul

            Jack Albertson as Man

            Norman Alden as Bully at Gym

            Murray Alper
            
            Phil Arnold as Bartender

            Billy Beck as Band Member

            Billy Bletcher
            
            Don Brodie
            
            Harry V. Cheshire as Police Sergeant

            Fay DeWitt
            
            Herbie Faye as Tailor

            Joe Finnegan
            
            Kathleen Freeman as Katie

            Marianne Gaba
            
            John Gallaudet as Barney

            Gavin Gordon as Executive on Golf Course

            Jerry Hausner as Floorman

            Hedda Hopper as Herself

            Bobby Johnson
            
            Byron Kane
            
            Norman Leavitt as Newsboy

            Buddy Lester as M.C.

            Dave Lipp as Frozen-Stare Man

            Darlene Lucht as Checkroom Girl

            John Marlowe
            
            Dee Jay Mattis as The Broad

            Peggy Mondo as Bowler

            Mantan Moreland as Barbershop Porter

            Quinn O'Hara as Cigarette Girl

            Barbara Pepper
            
            Sherwood Price as Bellboy

            George Raft as Himself

            Sheila Rogers
            
            Michael Ross as Truck Driver

            Eddie Ryder as People at Party

            Vernon Scott
            
            J. Walter Smith
            
            Joan Swift as Girl

            Mel Tormé as Himself

            William Wellman Jr.
            
            Dave Willock as Alex

            Ed Wynn as Himself

            Richard Bakalyan as Boys at Dance

            Robert Carson as Table Captains at Italian Cafe

            Sam Weston as Man on Phone

            John Macchia as Student

            Mabel Smaney as Woman in Phone Booth

            The Step Brothers as Themselves

            Adele Claire
            
            Lorraine Crawford as Manicurist

            Isabelle Dwan as Elderly Lady

            Bob Harvey as Waiter

            Hollis Morrison as Jute Box

            June Smaney as Pedicurist

            Michael Mahoney as Heckler [uncredited]
See full cast