The Ladies Man

Anyway, here Jerry is at something close to his (solo) best as a jilted man who finds himself inadvertently at the beck and call of a house full of movie actress wannabes, and misadventures abound. The house itself was a huge sound stage set with the fourth wall cut away so that the camera could zoom in and around, capturing Lewis' trademark ballets of catastrophe to excellent effect. He really was a marvel at comedic staging and there is some great stuff here. Unfortunately, you also have to take the rest of the Lewis formula too - the sappy romantic sentimentality, the awkward chemistry with his female co-stars and the contrived love sub-plots with girls who ought to have had the good sense to run screaming for the opposite coast as soon as the first catastrophe ended. Honestly are we really supposed to buy the belief that love conquers even Jerry's level of incompetence? Anyway, this movie should be enjoyed for its merits, which are considerable for any fan of comedy cinema, while discreetly closing one eye to its contrivances.

Jerry Lewis made one of his best solo films in 1960. "The Bellboy" had VERY little plot and consisted of a bazillion little gags all strung together with Jerry working as a bellboy at a fancy hotel. The gags came so rapidly that even the ones that fell flat didn't slow the film down and you can't help but like the movie. A year later, Lewis created a film with some similarities to "The Bellboy" but it just didn't work as well for two main reasons. First, there is a tiny bit more plot--but this was a minor problem. Second, and by far the biggest problem, is Lewis' performance. He is LOUD--L, O, U, D!!!!!! Throughout the film is literally screams about every minute and there is very little subtlety to the film. A few of the characters (such as Miss Wellenmelon) were also incredibly loud--as if screaming or singing in a LOUD voice was funny in and of itself. Now it's not a total loss, as, like the other film, there are so many gags that occasionally they worked--such as the performance by Jerry's mother (you gotta see that one) or 'Baby'. But, again and again, all the momentum is derailed by just going too far--too loud, too unsubtle and just too much. It's a shame, as some things about the film are great and sure could have worked a lot better. For example, the set is about the coolest one I have seen--very similar to a giant doll house. It must have cost a fortune to build this cutout house--and in some of the long shots, it really impresses. Had the film only shown more restraint, it EASILY could have been scored a 7 or higher. A shame, but a wasted opportunity.

There's not much plot to The Ladies Man. Jerry Lewis plays new college graduate Herbert Heebert who finds his beloved on the day of his graduation in the arms of another. Depressed and somewhat disgusted he starts looking for work vowing never to marry and live a bachelor life.

Bob Hope did a film called Bachelor In Paradise around this time. But what he had was nothing compared to the situation that Lewis winds up with. He answers an advertisement for a handyman and finds it's in a private house that has been converted to a residential hotel for women. Beautiful young woman. Hugh Hefner's Playboy Mansion has nothing on this place. But the only way to keep him from leaving is to make sure that Jerry feels needed.

After that the whole film becomes a series of skits, some better than others, the best being what he does to tough guy Buddy Lester's hat. Running a close second is his bungling during a live broadcast from the house for a television feature. Helen Traubel plays the owner of the house, a former opera star who has turned her place into this residence because she wanted a family, apparently a family of just daughters.

Jerry directed himself and possibly The Ladies Man might have been a real classic if a comedy director had controlled Jerry just a little bit. Still give Jerry Lewis a big A for effort and B+ for results.

This is my favorite Jerry Lewis movie. I laugh uproariously every time I see it. The surreal happenings just make the movie for me, like the butterflies. I was so surprised the first time I saw that as a kid. I just laughed and laughed! The lipstick on the painting is another example of the over the top absurdity. My favorite scene is hat scene, made even funnier because you can see Lewis laughing towards the end. He even moves his head when he can't stifle his giggles anymore to hide from the camera. Hilarious!I caught it on TCM today after a morning of studying with a difficult study partner. It made me laugh, and made me feel better. What I like the most is how game all the actresses are to go along with Jerry's ad libbing. They were all pro's. I appreciate that in a movie. Great stuff!

I enjoyed this movie and parts did make me laugh. Jerry Lewis is certainly an acquired taste however. When the movie started, I was worried and thought I would abhor the rest. It opens with a ridiculously over acted and unfunny scene where acts devastated to spot the girl with another guy. It was more cringe inducing than funny. This kind of slapstick might have caused a few laughs back in the 60s but it's almost unbearable to watch now.

That being said, there were parts in the movie I did find funny, as silly as they might have been. The bit with the method acting with the girl slapping him. The man and the hat. George raft. The butterflies flying out. Also, I do love the setting!

To summarise, humour is sometimes a bit forced, slightly outdated but still has its moments and charm.