ComedyScience FictionRomance

The Nutty Professor

- Well, any scientist who makes a girl like this can't be all mad.

A timid, nearsighted chemistry teacher discovers a magical potion that can transform him into a suave and handsome Romeo. The Jekyll and Hyde game works well enough until the concoction starts to wear off at the most embarrassing times.

Release Date : 1963-06-04

Language :EnglishFrenchItalian

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Paramount PicturesJerry Lewis Productions

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Character Name : Professor Julius F. Kelp / Buddy Love / Baby Kelp

Original Name : Jerry Lewis

Gender : Male

Character Name : Stella Purdy

Original Name : Stella Stevens

Gender : Female

Character Name : Dr. Hamius R. Warfield

Original Name : Del Moore

Gender : Male

Character Name : Gibson, College Student

Original Name : Henry Gibson

Gender : Male

Character Name : Millie Lemmon

Original Name : Kathleen Freeman

Gender : Female

Character Name : Man in Gym (uncredited)

Original Name : Richard Kiel

Gender : Male

Character Name : Football Player

Original Name : Norman Alden

Gender : Male

Character Name : Mr. Elmer Kelp

Original Name : Howard Morris

Gender : Male

Character Name : Edwina Kelp

Original Name : Elvia Allman

Gender : Female

Character Name : Dr. M. Sheppard Leevee

Original Name : Milton Frome

Gender : Male

Character Name : Rube

Original Name : Doodles Weaver

Gender : Male

Character Name : Gym Attendant (uncredited)

Original Name : Murray Alper

Gender : Male

Character Name : Bartender

Original Name : Buddy Lester

Gender : Male

Character Name : Football Player

Original Name : Med Flory

Gender : Male

Character Name : Bored Man

Original Name : Seymour Cassel

Gender : Male

Character Name : Waitress (uncredited)

Original Name : Stephanie Hill

Gender : Female

Character Name : English Student

Original Name : Marvin Kaplan

Gender : Male

Character Name : Football Player

Original Name : Skip Ward

Gender : Male

Character Name : Plumber (uncredited)

Original Name : Billy Bletcher

Gender : Male

Character Name : College Student (uncredited)

Original Name : Robert Donner

Gender : Male

Character Name : Narrator (voice) (uncredited)

Original Name : Art Gilmore

Gender : Male

Reviews

John Chard

@John Chard

2024-05-16

Robert Louis Stevenson's story stripped bare. Jerry Lewis stars, directs, produces and co-writes (with Bill Richmond) this comedy take on Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The Nutty Professor is a film I adored as a child, and truth be told most of Jerry Lewis' films made a humorous mark in my spotty youth, but not many can now be viewed in adulthood and still tickle the rib cage with the same mirthful impact. The Nutty Professor still does to me now what it first did many many years ago. Reading some of the reviews around the internet you can see some people going a bit deeper than is really necessary, yes there are some interesting things to delve into if you so wish, (beauty skin deep, the meek rising, be yourself, social acceptance issues etc etc) but ultimately it's a comedy spin on the Dr. Jekyll & Mr Hyde story with Jerry Lewis in sublime pratfall mode. Lewis' reading of the "good & bad" side of one man is basically he expressing he himself, and he has great fun with both sides of the character. There's some very funny sequences along the way, reference Kelp's attempt at bulking up at the gym and jitterbugging at the dance, and all things build to the climax where common sense prevails as the heart strings get tugged and the smile lands firmly on the face. Joining Lewis in the froth broth as the love interest is Stella Stevens, who is not only socko sexy and gorgeous - splendidly attired in Edith Head's figure hugging costumes - she also proves to be great foil for both of Lewis' characterisations. Awash with Technicolor and comic vibrancy, The Nutty Professor is a classic case of comedic film making done with invention and a sheer willingness to entertain. 9/10