A thing I like to do is research actors and their work. I’ve always loved to hear stories from people’s lives. Right now I’m studying Jerry Lewis because he died recently and shame on me for not getting to this sooner. I had always known about Jerry. I’d have to be living under a rock not to, my parents talked about him. Unfortunately by the time I was born in 1978 Jerry had been famous for 29 years already and his celebrity was waning. I consider this extremely bad timing because had I grown up watching him I would have been so inspired. Alas I’ll have to settle for being inspired now.
Jerry came from parents who were stage actors, vaudevillians. Vaudeville was a stage variety act popular at the turn of last century featuring burlesque, comedy, song, and dance. He played night clubs in the 40’s as a teenager while supporting his new family. As the story goes he met Dean Martin and they were a hit overnight. In 1950 just as television was being born they were on a show called the Colgate Comedy Hour which can be viewed free on youtube. Check them out! I think you might fall in love with them just as I and 1950’s America did.
Martin and Lewis weren’t popular just because they were funny and talented, it was because of the chemistry between Jerry and Dean. They were psychically linked on stage electric and exciting, they talked directly to the audience ignoring the fourth wall altogether. It seemed personal which is why you may as I did, start to notice that Jerry kisses Dean a lot. Really a lot. I can’t tell if it’s brotherly love combined with a comic’s compulsion to take things too far or if it was just love. Please weigh in if you’re reading this. I’d love an outside opinion.
Their comedy was a unique kind of genius. It was equal parts precision comedic skill and riffing, kind of like vaudeville meets jazz. In fact sometimes it was exactly that. They would start out with a rehearsed skit and escalate it to the point where they were so far off book it was all improv, a food fight, a water leak, a group tap dance turned contest. They would deteriorate into an improvisational work of genius all while talking to the audience as if they were watching live. The director would even play with Jerry by turning on different cameras so he would have to figure out which one to look at. He vents his frustration to you directly.
If you’re into film, theater, or just a fan of slapstick please go and watch this wonderful piece of history. Watching Martin and Lewis was like the first time I ever saw “Singin’ In The Rain” I couldn’t believe how much I liked it and great art should never die. I’m not finished studying Mr. Lewis’ work yet I’m to “The Patsy” which I loved. Plus I just started reading Jerry’s book titled “Martin and Lewis A Love Story” and cried at the opening.
On a more serious note, I hope in this new century we don’t forget to look back on history and learn. People used to go out and socialize, they had real connections and active lives. When TV came along a little of that disappeared, then the internet came and a little more went away, now cell phones exist and we barely speak to each other in person or on the phone that we carry with us EVERYWHERE! If you’re reading this I love you. Blessings.
