The Patsy (1964)
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80% of critics liked it
(10 reviews) -
62% of users liked it
(1,608 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… 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
- Directed By
- Jerry Lewis
- Written By
- Jerry Lewis, Bill Richmond
- Genres
- Classics, Comedy
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Aug 12, 1964 Wide
- On DVD
- Oct 12, 2004
- Studio
- Paramount Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Who is Jerry Lewis, and why is he funny when he's serious and serious when he's funny?
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Jerry follows along the comedy lines of Chaplin, but with far less good results.
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Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Jerry Lewis romp has its rib tickles.
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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.
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Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)
Frantic and over-produced, with the ungoverned star at his spastic worst.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Cast
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Jerry Lewis
as Stanley Belt
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Ina Balin
as Ellen Betz
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Everett Sloane
as Caryl Fergusson
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Phil Harris
as Chic Wymore
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Keenan Wynn
as Harry Silver
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Peter Lorre
as Morgan Heywood
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John Carradine
as Bruce Alden
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Hans Conried
as Prof. MuleRRR
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Phil Foster
as Himself
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Richard Deacon
as Sy Devore
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Neil Hamilton
as Barber
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Scatman Crothers
as Shoeshine Boy
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Del Moore
as Police Officer
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Nancy Kulp
as Theatergoer
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Fritz Feld
as Maitre D'
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Jerome Cowan
as Executive
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Henry Slate
as Paul
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Jack Albertson
as Man
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Norman Alden
as Bully at Gym
- Murray Alper
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Phil Arnold
as Bartender
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Billy Beck
as Band Member
- Billy Bletcher
- Don Brodie
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Harry V. Cheshire
as Police Sergeant
- Fay DeWitt
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Herbie Faye
as Tailor
- Joe Finnegan
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Kathleen Freeman
as Katie
- Marianne Gaba
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John Gallaudet
as Barney
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Gavin Gordon
as Executive on Golf Course
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Jerry Hausner
as Floorman
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Hedda Hopper
as Herself
- Bobby Johnson
- Byron Kane
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Norman Leavitt
as Newsboy
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Buddy Lester
as M.C.
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Dave Lipp
as Frozen-Stare Man
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Darlene Lucht
as Checkroom Girl
- John Marlowe
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Dee Jay Mattis
as The Broad
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Peggy Mondo
as Bowler
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Mantan Moreland
as Barbershop Porter
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Quinn O'Hara
as Cigarette Girl
- Barbara Pepper
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Sherwood Price
as Bellboy
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George Raft
as Himself
- Sheila Rogers
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Michael Ross
as Truck Driver
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Eddie Ryder
as People at Party
- Vernon Scott
- J. Walter Smith
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Joan Swift
as Girl
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Mel Tormé
as Himself
- William Wellman Jr.
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Dave Willock
as Alex
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Ed Wynn
as Himself
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Richard Bakalyan
as Boys at Dance
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Robert Carson
as Table Captains at Italian Cafe
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Sam Weston
as Man on Phone
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John Macchia
as Student
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Mabel Smaney
as Woman in Phone Booth
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The Step Brothers
as Themselves
- Adele Claire
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Lorraine Crawford
as Manicurist
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Isabelle Dwan
as Elderly Lady
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Bob Harvey
as Waiter
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Hollis Morrison
as Jute Box
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June Smaney
as Pedicurist
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Michael Mahoney
as Heckler [uncredited]
