An extremely funny Jerry Lewis movie in which Lewis plays a bellhop who happens to be the lookalike of a famous (very Jerry Lewis-like) celebrity. When the celebrity dies, the bellhop steps in...of course. In no time he's made into a superstar by handlers Peter Lorre, Phil Harris, etc. Not in a league with THE DISORDERLY ORDERLY or THE NUTTY PROFESSOR, but still a very worthy piece of work from the prolific Lewis (he co-wrote the script and directed as well). Lewis is hysterical and he's surrounded himself with a lot of great talent, none of whom gets short shrift in the mix...a very funny Hans Conried, a bizarre Nancy Kulp, and Richard Deacon pop up and Lewis's leading lady is the effervescent Ina Balin. With a really clever ending proving why Lewis was such an innovative film-maker. George Raft makes one his many '60s cameos playing himself along with Ed Wynn, Mel Torme and, of course, Hedda Hopper.
Review of The Patsy
