Way
back in the 1950s and 60s, I was an avid Jerry Lewis fan. I enjoyed watching
his silly characters doing nonsensical things in movies like “The Delicate Delinquent,” “The Nutty Professor” and “Cinderfella.” It was great fun to see
his slapstick comedy and to cheer him on. Ever since then, I’ve thought of
Lewis as a comedy actor who became a big star.
Little
did I know he was a total filmmaker behind the scenes. A “total” filmmaker does
-- or knows about -- everything connected with the film he’s involved in. And
thanks to Lewis’ wonderful book, The Total FilmMaker, now I know the breadth and depth of
his commitment to every movie he made. He even invented a Video Assist which is
attached to a camera in order for the director to see if everything looks right
as the filming is being done.
Thanks
also to Lewis for sticking to comedies. Below is my favorite Lewis quote.
“Comedy,
humor, call it what you may is often the difference between sanity and insanity,
survival and disaster, even death. It’s man’s emotional safety valve.”
Jerry Lewis loved
filmmaking.
He taught a course
without faking.
In every aspect you
could name,
He gained respect and
also fame.
His comedies made
laughter roar.
Would Oscar folks
open the door?
This book explains how
he became
TOTAL FilmMaker in the game.
While reading it, I
thought I heard
Lewis himself in
every word.
More than a star, he
knew each part
of movie making and
its art.
With film lovers he
shares all this
in a book you must
not miss.
The
first edition of Lewis’ book was published in 1971. It included his
lectures for a course at the University of Southern California Film School in
1966. This new edition adds remembrances from students, family members and movie
folks like cinematographer Caleb Deschanel.
Wannabe
filmmakers will find expert tips and advice in all areas related to movie
making. These areas are covered in three parts: Production, Post-Production and
Comedy. People who love movies will discover fascinating information about
Lewis’ ideas concerning actors, directing, writing, producing, editing, and
much more. They should also enjoy the eleven pages showing Jerry Lewis as a
total filmmaker!
In
his letter “To the Reader,” Jerry Lewis closes with the following paragraph.
“I
think I love films and those that love them better than just about everything
else in the world---and I hope when you read this book you will become a part
of the already overwhelming number of film-loving people.”
As
a confirmed movie addict, I highly recommend The Total FilmMaker for any Jerry Lewis fan, film buff, or film
student.
(Foreword
by Leonard Maltin, published by Published by Michael Wiese Productions, and
available on Amazon.com.)
