Jerry Lewis couldn't join the military, reportedly because of a heart murmur. He went on to have a long career, at first as part of a comedy duo with Rat Packer Dean Martin, then as a solo comedian. Lewis died today in Las Vegas. He was 91. He brought joy to the world, especially during the dark days of the Cold War. And he served as a humanitarian, raising more than 2 billion dollars for the Muscular Dystrophy Association over 45 years.
Both Dino and Lewis "joined the Navy" in "Sailor Beware," one of those great lowbrow black-and-white comedies of the middle of the last century. As with the Three Stooges and Marx Brothers comedies, the lack of a laugh track somehow made the goofy humor drier and funnier.
Lewis signed up again for duty in "Don't Give Up the Ship," filmed in 1959 aboard USS Vammen (DE 644), named for naval aviator Ens. Clarence E. Vammen, lost in the Battle of Midway.
Jerry Lewis also "served" (food) in the Army and sang about the stereotype that Sailors had it a lot better than Soldiers: "Navy Gets the Gravy and Army Gets the Beans."
Lewis is the well-meaning neurotic that would inspire Woody Allen and Peter Sellers. His work is controversial in its over-the-top slapstick ridiculousness. But "Don't Give Up the Ship" is considered by auteurs as one of his best.
In the end Jerry Lewis faded away and became somewhat controversial with his sclerotic views. But in his heyday, he was energetic, full of life, and willing to let his freak flag fly.
No comments:
Post a Comment