The Nutty Professor (1963)

A very charming film

In a performance reminiscent of Peter Sellers in `Dr. Strangeglove,' Eddie Murphy turns in a tour de farce in `The Nutty Professor.' This was a film I had intended to see for a decade and I was certainly not disappointed when I finally rented it. Murphy provides a charming performance as shy, gentlemanly fat man, Prof. Sherman Klump. One cannot help rooting for the 400-pound professor to woo foxy grad student Carla Purty (Jada Pinkett Smith), rather than egomaniacal alter ego Buddy Love. Larry Miller is also fun as the smiling but malevolent Dean Richmond a type role he has played several times before. Of course the special effects wowed audiences in 1991 and they are still quite impressive. I haven't seen the 1963 Jerry Lewis version and pray I never have to, but I doubt that it had the charm of this production. Pinkett Smith adds not only beauty, but a warm grace and dignity to an otherwise chaotic scene of runaway gerbils, wild night spots and bizarre potions. David Chappelle, meanwhile, is entertaining as obnoxious stand-up comic Reggie Warrington. And, of course, there are the Klumps. Murphy outdoes himself as Sherman's dysfunctional, farting family. While I have no real desire to see the 2000 sequel, which apparently focuses on the Klump family, they do add some fun to the film. Overall, I would call `The Nutty Professor' a solid comedy with plenty of laughs, lots of charm, and even a bit of a message. October 13, 2008

" ... and he's a gasser ..."

I loved this movie when I first happened across it on wee-hours TV about 30 years ago. I got sucked in when the explosion happened and the floors moved like an earthquake ... when Dr. Kelp asked the doctor, "Is it all right if I stay and do some research?" and the doctor replies, "Not at all." Del Moore as Mortimer S. Warfield, and "HOW LONG!!!" I like how so many reviewers mention their favorite lines. "I was just finishing the ironing of your underthings, Edwina ..." The colors, the story, the babe-a-licious Stella Stevens ("slide over heah and let's get stahted"). Also as I recall, the movie inspired "Dr. Heckyll and Mr. Jive" by the immortal Men at Work back in the '80s. All in all, a gasser. May 23, 2008

needed the nutty

My son & I had to have this movie! The vendor was quick in sending and it was in excellent condition. I would definately order from them again. April 9, 2008

Jerry Lewis at his finest

I saw this movie thru out my childhood and have enjoyed it as much now as I did then. I loved this movie so much that I purchased a copy for a kind friend of mine who has spoken highly about Jerry Lewis' movies but hadn't seen this one. He also loved this movie. Stella Stevens is very sexy yet conservative and wonderful in her role.
Someone called this movie a labor of love, I do agree. Thank you Jerry Lewis for making this one-James January 8, 2008

Even Better With Time!!!

I saw this film when I was 9. Was I impressed? Yes--I've never forgotten this great film--great special effects before computer enhancement, all the brainchild of Jerry Lewis--who demonstrates not only his great comic talent, acting ability, but also many other character qualities that made him one of the infamoous Rat Pack of the 1960s.

The two characters, Professor Kelp and Buddy Love, couldn't be more different--and yet both have a grip of the heart of Stella--the stunning blonde college student in a Chemistry class. She is one of many stunning beauties at the off-campus, off-limits (to faculty) Purple Pit where Professor Kelp, enhanced by chemistry, becomes Buddy Love. However, there is many a slip twixt the cup and the lip (I have been waiting years to use that one!)--which enhances Buddy's mysteriousness (and appeal) to Stella--despite his boorish, egotistical, stereotypical clumsy (but masculine) approach to his dream girl (really, the Professor's dream girl).

I mentioned many times to my Eddie Murphy fan "best girl" that she'd have to see Jerry Lewis in the Nutty Professor to see the real deal...I think she doubted it, but halfway through she exclaimed "this is my favorite comedy"--high praise from an intelligent movie consumer from a distant land, far, far away!

There is no other way to hype this movie--except that, if you were born after the 1960s, and missed many of the classic films of that era, the would be a great starting place to fill in the gaps (of your understanding of American Pop Culture). The Nutty Professor exposes all of those remakes (Ocean's Eleven, for example) for the paltry copies they really are.

See the real thing--and never forget it! December 28, 2007

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