I have been giving Jerry Lewis a chance recently. He was great with Dean Martin in the 1950's TV show; there are many great moments in those. The French, or some of them, revere him. His movies alone, in the late fifties and sixties,however, do nothing for me. Family Jewels is one of the worst. If you ever see the Dick Cavett interview, you might sense a certain arrogance or pretentiousness, more than can be attributed to the situation of a star and the adoring interviewer . These solo films, written by, directed by, and starring Lewis, reflect a certain self-indulgence, that of a great clown who has lost sight of what's funny. Explore the early work and don't waste much time with the later.
Review of The Family Jewels
