The Errand Boy is a 1961 American comedy film directed by, co-written by, and starring Jerry Lewis.
Contents
Plot
Paramutual Pictures decide that they need a spy to find out the inner workings of their studio. Morty S. Tashman, (the initial 'S' stands for 'scared'), is a paperhanger who happens to be working right outside their window. They decide that he is the man for the job and hire him on the spot. He bumbles his way through a series of misadventures, reporting everything back to the corporate executives.
The Paramutual Studio president eventually has to fire Morty for incompetency. But secret film taken of his bumbling becomes public and everybody wants to know who the terrific new comedy star is. Paramutual is forced to beg Morty to come back and rescue the studio from bankruptcy, which he does.
Cast
Jerry Lewis as Morty S. Tashman
Brian Donlevy as Tom "T. P." Paramutual
Howard McNear as Dexter Sneak
Dick Wesson as the A. D.
Robert Ivers as young New York director who argues with T. P.
Pat Dahl as Miss Carson
Renée Taylor as Miss Giles
Rita Hayes as singer who dubs Davitt
Stanley Adams as Grumpy
Kathleen Freeman as Mrs. Helen Paramutual / Mrs. T. P.
Isobel Elsom as Irma Paramutual
Sig Ruman as Baron Elston Carteblanche
Felicia Atkins as Serina
Doodles Weaver as Weaver
Fritz Feld as Roaring '20s director
Richard Bakalyan as studio director
Kenneth MacDonald as Mr. Fumble
Herb Vigran as man with cigar in elevator
Barry Livingston as boy who wants jelly beans
Milton Frome as Mr. Greenback
Benny Rubin as Mr. Wabenlotnee
Paul Frees as narrator (uncredited)
Cast notes
The cast of the western TV series Bonanza makes a cameo appearance.
Leo Durocher (baseball manager and player) gives a group of "studio kids" (actually the Dover Basketeers) a pep talk.
Joe Besser, a former member of the Three Stooges, has a bit part.
Production
The Errand Boy was filmed from July 24 to September 1, 1961, and was released on November 28, 1961, by Paramount Pictures.
Release
In 1967, it was re-released on a double bill with another Jerry Lewis film, Cinderfella.
Reception
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 50% rating based on 10 reviews, with an average rating of 5.47/10.
The film earned theatrical rentals of $3 million in the United States and Canada.
Home media
The film was released on DVD on October 12, 2004, July 15, 2014, in a 4-film collection, 4 Film Favorites: Jerry Lewis, with The Bellboy, The Ladies Man, and The Patsy, and March 15, 2021.
Remake
In June 1997, it was reported that following the success of the 1996 remake of The Nutty Professor, Jerry Lewis had sold the remake rights to The Errand Boy to Hollywood Pictures.