JohnHowardReid
Disappointing! Given the promise of the movie's central idea, plus the wide latitude available to take the mickey out of Hollywood (as at least a dozen films have done so amusingly in the past), Jerry Lewis seems determined – aside from two sequences – to play his Hollywood studio errand boy in a distinctly minor key. True, we do encounter some heavy slapstick and far-too-broad satire, and there is some wistful yet rather too obvious, cutesy stuff with puppets. But the way the movie is constructed as a series of sketches strung together on the thinnest of threads, will ensure that nearly all viewers are in the running to find something to complain about. Some of the sketches – crowded into an elevator, climbing a ladder to get jelly beans for kids – don't have any connections with a movie studio at all. In short, I feel that an opportunity for some really amusing satire was lost. I regard The Patsy as more consistently amusing. That movie also had a superior support cast. Sig Ruman is glimpsed but briefly here. However, Stanley Adams as the mail room chief is amusingly choleric. On the other hand, Howard McNear way overdoes the sycophant, while Brian Donleby delivers one of his duller, stiffer performances. Iris Adrian, however, is always welcome. Disappointingly, production values are only average "A". It's a pity there were no more surprise guest stars than Lorne Greene and company. As a director, Lewis uses lots of close-ups, but is generally efficient despite the jerky continuity. The lighting photography, however, is unusually dark and somber for a comedy.
charro1930
Mr Lewis is of an acquired taste but for anyone with a shred of a sense of humour, he is one of the kings. If this is NOT his best movie, it's certainly in the top 3.One or two of the routines are copied from other comedians but the rest are just pure genius. Check out the scene in the board room where Jerry does a great mime to a Count Basie track. Unfortunately, there is the usual sentiment which slows the comedy down and I personally find that boring and a bit off putting but when the comedy returns it's well worth waiting for.I would place this movie up there with The Nutty Professor and It's Only Money (a film I REALLY do think is underrated).If you've never seen a Jerry Lewis film you could do a lot worse than start with this and don't let any of Jerry detractors put you off - judge for yourself.The man's an idiot but a brilliant idiot!!!
TRRkey
Biting satire set up by the staid Brian Donlevy, and Howard McNear in his absolute best role, Jerry only exceeds this in "The Nutty Professor" with his 'Buddy Love' nightclub entrance and musical performance. Playing it straight as Jerry Langford in "King of Comedy" is also at the top of my list. "The Disorderly Orderly" and "Who's Minding the Store" are great entertainment also, {in my humble opinion} topping a list you all know. He and Mickey Rooney and a few others are the last of a vaudeville/burlesque tradition that we shall not see again. Jerry Lewis, the consummate comedian, actor, producer and director was able to bring genuinely funny and original material to the screen over and over again. Hats off to You, Jerry, a talent without peer.
Lee Eisenberg
"The Errand Boy" is mostly an excuse for a series of silly gags, but it's good for a few laughs. Jerry Lewis plays a man who gets hired to spy for a movie company. Sure enough, in the process of spying, he just makes a mess everywhere he goes. Whether it's the armor suits or the champagne bottle, this guy is a walking disaster area. A precursor to Insp. Clouseau and Gilligan, if you will.Low humor, you say? Maybe it is, but like I said, good for a few laughs; simply a way to pass time. The movie doesn't pretend to be a masterpiece. Also starring Brian Donlevy, Howard McNear, Kathleen Freeman, Stanley Adams and Doodles Weaver.
AD
