Movie review – JL#9 - “The Ladies Man” (1961) ***

Maybe Jerry Lewis wasn’t a genius but he was incredibly talented and this work is really imaginative: OK very influenced by Frank Tashlin but its consistently impressive. It helps Lewis plays a slightly different character to his normal “spastic” – an energetic genius, closer to the Nutty Professor, who swears off women after the object of his affection dumps him for another, only to wind up at a boarding house for women in Hollywood.

Lewis was at the height of his fame and confidence here – Paramount gave him a healthy contract, artistic freedom and impressive budgets. The boarding house set is deservedly famous: you can see inside like a massive dolls house, and there is a dancing number where you see several levels, the inspiration for a scene in Absolute Beginners. It gets less inspired as the film goes on, feels as though it should end after the television program; there is an annoying scene where Lewis has to cheer up a dying swan aspiring actress whining about having a bad audition (get used to it, kid). But its bold, talented and funny, one of Lewis’ best films.