X
  • 1964
  • Approved
  • Paramount Pictures
  • 1 h 41 m
  • 1964
  • Approved
  • Paramount Pictures
  • 1 h 41 m

Summary When a star comedian dies, rather than letting anyone know, his comedy writers decide to find and teach an unknown to fill his shoes for a big show the comedian had been schedeled for. But the man they choose - bellboy, Stanley Belt - can't do anything right, and time's running out.

Directed By: Jerry Lewis

Written By: Bill Richmond, Jerry Lewis

  • 1964
  • Approved
  • Paramount Pictures
  • 1 h 41 m
  • 1964
  • Approved
  • Paramount Pictures
  • 1 h 41 m

The Patsy

Metascore Mixed or Average Based on 7 Critic Reviews
57
User Score Available after 4 ratings
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Summary When a star comedian dies, rather than letting anyone know, his comedy writers decide to find and teach an unknown to fill his shoes for a big show the comedian had been schedeled for. But the man they choose - bellboy, Stanley Belt - can't do anything right, and time's running out.

Directed By: Jerry Lewis

Written By: Bill Richmond, Jerry Lewis

Where to Watch

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 7 Critic Reviews
57
43% Positive
3 Reviews
29% Mixed
2 Reviews
29% Negative
2 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 7 Critic Reviews
57
43% Positive
3 Reviews
29% Mixed
2 Reviews
29% Negative
2 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
100
The Patsy reflects a genuine affection for the artisans and jacks-of-all-trades that make careers like his possible.
By Eric Henderson FULL REVIEW
80
Explicitly quoting Chaplin-style routines, Lewis bends the sentimentality into shape to produce a witty and magical essay on comedy, illusionism and fear.
FULL REVIEW
75
The essential mistake that's made about Lewis is assuming his movies were intended mainly to be funny. I suspect they were intended mainly to be really, really weird.
By Mick LaSalle FULL REVIEW
50
The Patsy's slim story line has it ups and downs, sometimes being hilarious, frequently unfunny.
FULL REVIEW
50
Considerably weaker than The Nutty Professor. [10 Sep 1964, p.17]
By Andrew Sarris FULL REVIEW
30
Another moronic mishmash in which Mr. Lewis falls all over himself.
By Bosley Crowther FULL REVIEW
25
This is one of Lewis' lesser efforts, with his appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show drawing the only real laughs.
FULL REVIEW

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Details

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Production Company Paramount Pictures, Patti Enterprises
Release Date Jun 11, 1964
Duration 1 h 41 m
Rating Approved
Genres
Tagline Jerry's a dumb-like-a-fox bellhop that some smart alecs manipulate into stardom...
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