Jerry Lewis Stepped Rather Softly into His Solo Career after His Highly Publicized Split with Dean Martin. They were a Very Popular Musical-Comedy Team in the Movies and had Them Rolling in Isles at Swanky Nightclubs and on TV Variety Shows.It wasn't a Congenial Breakup and Fans were Wondering just what would Become of the Two Entertainers. That's Ancient History now as Both Became Very Successful on Their Own. Rumours about Their (Non)Friendship were Fodder for the Tabloids and Gossip Columns for Years and there was Always Scuttlebutt about a Re-Uniting or at Least a Shaking of Hands.This is a Very Mediocre Movie but Jerry's Talent is Evident. He was a Hard Worker and an Always Involved Innovator of the Craft. He Honed His Slapstick Schtick and Mugging that Peaked with The Nutty Professor (1963) and then went Downhill for Years making Anachronistic and Unfunny Movies just on His Ego Alone.His Debut Solo Effort is not an Awful Film, it is just an Uneasy Combination of Comedy and Social Commentary that doesn't Quite Work. It has a Few Amusing Moments and is Highly Professional All Around but it doesn't Click. But it Made a Bundle of Money and Jerry was Off and Pratfalling His Way to Financial Success but Limited Critical Acclaim (except in France).

What's this with the trivia section on IMDb for this film? While I knew that this was Jerry Lewis' first solo effort after his breakup with Dean Martin, I have no idea what this comment in the trivia section means regarding Dean Martin not wanting to wear a police uniform. Did he hate cops or think he looked bad in black or was this just the excuse he gave because he couldn't stand the thought of making another film with Jerry?! I'd love to know more about this.With the absence of Dean Martin, the studio decided to pair Lewis with Darren McGavin. And, since you've never heard of the great comedy team of Martin & McGavin, you can assume the results did not set the world on fire. The choice of films was pretty odd, though, as Jerry was now in his 30s--making him an incredibly old delinquent! And, for the first time, this delinquent got to produce his own film.During an amazingly non-violent rumble, Jerry is accidentally picked up by the police as they think he, too, is one of the punks. The team of cops is led by McGavin--a cop who has been trying for years to rehabilitate these juveniles instead of just locking them up like the Captain recommends. In a rather non-subtle but funny scene, Jerry is thrilled that he is being let go by the police...you just have to see it. But McGavin sees Jerry and decides he can rehabilitate this boy! And, since Jerry is a completely incompetent janitor, McGavin is able to eventually interest him in a career in law enforcement. But the road is long and a lot of stuff happens in the meantime--such as constant run-ins with local hoodlums who delight in harassing him.Along the way, McGavin meets a know-it-all social worker (Martha Hyer). Naturally, they hate each other so you know they'll be in love by the end of the film! Wow, is this lady stupid and annoying! I think her character was very poorly written--no one can be that that opinionated and that clueless! Aside from looking nice, she was a major deficit in the film--possibly due to bad acting or a badly written character or bad direction or all three.So how does this all stack up compared to a typical Martin & Lewis film? Well, it's pretty obvious that the roles were originally written for the team but most of the musical numbers have been removed. While it caught my wife by surprise, Jerry sang one of the songs that Dean would have sung in the film--and did a very nice job. Too often in the early films, he deliberately sang badly and people assumed he couldn't sing. Jerry once again also mugged a lot more for the camera--though less than in many of his previous or later films. However, I also noticed that when he wasn't overacting, Lewis also had some nice scenes where you could see he could actually act--too bad he occasionally chose shtick instead of acting, as I think his acting skills are often under-appreciated (and which weren't as apparent until some of his later non-comedic roles). My wife, who is definitely not a fan, noticed that he was a lot more human in this film--and was very easy to like when he wasn't hamming it up. Surprisingly, she even liked the film--and she's a hard sell indeed. I'd say the film is actually better than most of the Martin & Lewis films, as it's a lot less comedy and more a well-rounded film.By the way, there is a scene towards the beginning where McGavin tries very hard to befriend Lewis. I am sure it played well in 1957, but seen today, it sure looks like McGavin is trying to make a pass at him! You can see what what might be seen by some as a gay subtext a few other times, too. See it for yourself--I am sure you'll see what I mean.

My wife hates Jerry Lewis. The French love him. Why the divergence?In the late 40's and 50's Martin and Lewis were the most popular comedy act of their era. Watching some of their early stand-up routines one can't help marvel at Lewis's precocity and Martin's understated comic acumen. People who really know about Dean know what an underrated genius he was, but in this movie, Lewis's wide range of talents - mimicry, improvisation, foolery, jest - erupt with no comic-duo distractions. It's his tour de force.Darrin McGavin turns in a great performance as Damon to Lewis's Pythias. The stunning Martha Hyer is great as the uppity goody two-shoes who falls for McGavin. Don't forget the uncredited cameo by Frank Gorshin. Robert Ivers, Horace McMahon, Richard Bakalyan, Milton Frome, et al, complete a great cast in one of the best comic movies ever.

THE DELICATE DELINQUENT (1957) ** Jerry Lewis, Darren McGavin. Rather weak Lewis flick with Jerry as a troubled kid who hooks up with the police force. Noteworthy only because this was his first solo outing after he split with Dean Martin.