Product Description

Unable to put up with ridicule any longer, Kelp creates a potion that transforms him into his alter ego, Buddy Love, who is slick, cool and a hit with the ladies. The only problem with this potion is it doesn't last very long, and wears off at the most inopportune moments.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16782 in DVD
• Brand: Paramount
• Released on: 2004-10-12
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Collector's Edition, Color, DVD, Special Edition, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 107 minutes

Amazon.com essential video
Jerry Lewis's 1963 Jekyll and Hyde variation has always been tagged by two popular assumptions: one is that it is his best work as a comic filmmaker, and the other is that Lewis's Mr. Hyde equivalent--the slick, ultra-arrogant, good-looking womanizer Buddy Love--actually lampoons the director's former partner, Dean Martin. Well, The Nutty Professor certainly is Lewis's best film. But all one has to do is watch it to realize the motivation behind Buddy Love is more confessional: he's really much more like Lewis's darker, narcissistic side, while the shlubby scientist (also played by Lewis) from whom Love springs is closer to the star's screen image. You can watch all this psychodrama yourself and have a lot of good laughs at the same time with this unusual film, which still surpasses Eddie Murphy's recent remake--though not necessarily by a wide gap. --Tom Keogh

DVD features
The crown jewel of the 2004 Jerry Lewis Collection is this special edition of the 1963 comedy. Like others in the collection, the DVD is packed with archival materials--bloopers, deleted scenes, even a short home movie. Listening to the commentary by Lewis with friend Steve Lawrence is like eavesdropping on two old buddies reminiscing of the good ol' days, with Lewis calling out certain bits for Lawrence (and us) to watch. The two featurettes play like part of the series (you'd have to watch the other DVDs to get the complete picture). You'll listen to offerings from friends, collaborators, and critics using the "genius" word a lot, including Lewis himself. The remastered sound and picture is superb--especially with the wild color scheme of the movie. It's definitely worth a trade up from the earlier bare-bones DVD release. --Doug Thomas

Customer Reviews

Lewis's best and with tons of footage
I own this classic now. I watched the extra features on the DVD and all of the coverage on the other work of Jerry's . After about a half an hour, I realized there is also a movie on this disk. I could not believe how much material is on this ONE disk. I strongly reccomend this and when you get it, watch it with the commentary track turned on for Jerry's comments as the show plays. The widescreen DVD format is fabulous. The color and clarity are fantastic, and the big band sound and sound effects are richer than ever.

Innovative Dr. Jeckell and Mr.Hyde Spoof
This Classic film shows the incredible comedic range of Jerry Lewis as a goofy buck tooth professor with an exagerated low self esteem. He finds that one of his gorgeous students Miss Purdy played well by Stella Stevens takes some sort of interest to him. As the professor he stumbles on a potion that can change his genetics into an overly arrogant good looking man who lacks the one thing that would win Purdy over. Sensitivity. The characters name Buddy Love is said by some to have been based on former rat pack partner Dean Martin. Buddy Loves character was an inspiration for comedian Andrew Dice Clay as Dice has said, "Your not here because your Not attracted to me. And you can see I dig you pretty well myself." Eddie Murphys remake although good could never over shadow this classic comedy. Lewis as Professor Kelp at the prom with his goofy dance steps is hilarious. This movie is timeless and I highly reccomend it to everyone. This movies 1963 release gives you some sense of the simple wholesome lifestyle of the early sixties. As a male I can't help but fall for Stella Stevens every time. Jerry Lewis proves in this movie he's a comic genius!

Humility
I once was one of those snots who dismissed the solo work of Jerry Lewis. No longer. After long years with classic silent comedy and Thirties screwball stuff I reluctantly went back to "The Nutty Professor" and my jaw dropped. This guy was a genius. This film has its roots, and plenty of them, but much of it is thoroughly unique and, dare I write it, visionary.

This is also a visually beautiful film with astonishing use of color. A real treat on that count alone. It's also a splendid updating of Jekyll and Hyde with real relevance for modern times.

I write this to those who may be captivated by Keaton, Laurel and Hardy, or Tati, but who've avoided Lewis for years. Honestly, give him another try.