Jerry Lewis Nostalgia: Colegate Comedy Hour with Rosemary Clooney

Many people who grew up with me know that Jerry Lewis films are one of my guilty/not-so-guilty pleasures. I'm not really a fan of slapstick comedy, but sometimes the timing of Jerry's movements are impeccable. I also agree that some of Jerry's antics are a bit prolonged in some scenes, but I love him just the same.

In high school, I would watch episodes of the Colgate Comedy Hour (Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin's television show from the 1950s) ad nauseam with my friends, particularly Katie and Heather. This video clip is of our favorite episode where Rosemary Clooney was a guest (though I didn't include any clips with Clooney). I especially love this episode because there is so much improv between Martin and Lewis. Heather and I must have been influenced by all of this improv and banter - we took improv to the utmost level during our district drama competition, where we improvised our whole scene because both of us had been too lazy to memorize the script. The hilarious thing is that we actually won the district competition and were sent to the state competition after that - which we promptly lost because we still hadn't memorized our lines.

Things I love about this episode: When Jerry gets after the audience for laughing at a "non-funny" joke (27:30); when he calls his coat a "puzzle" because he is fumbling with it on the set; the look on his face while saying "Isn't that a stunning model?" I also love that naive Jerry helps the burglar load wedding presents into his sack and the burglar makes a clean get-away.

In order to make amends, Jerry decides to clean up the mess in the room. I like when he lifts up his hands in fake surprise while saying the word "cleaner" (35:04). My high school friends and I would sometimes do this movement to feign astonishment, and I still find myself wanting to do it at times - though I generally refrain myself since no one would get the joke. I also love the expression in Jerry's face while the butler is giving his line.

I also love the musical number is at the end of the episode. I especially love how Dean starts to laugh when Jerry asks him if he wants an "introduction" (44:46). And I can't help but crack up every time Jerry falls down when the music booms especially loud (46:00). The timing is so great.

This being said, I also have to say that I love Dean Martin too. Jerry wouldn't be as funny without Dean acting as his "straight man." Sometimes I think Dean goes unappreciated when people talk about the "Martin and Lewis" team. He really is a great comedian too, not to mention a fabulous singer.