The Jerk *** (1979, Steve Martin, Bernadette Peters, Catlin Adams, Jackie Mason) – Classic Movie Review 6894

‘He was a poor black sharecropper’s son who never dreamed he was adopted. A rags to riches to rags story.’

Director Carl Reiner’s 1979 comedy The Jerk stars Steve Martin in his broad, uneasy first starring feature in which he plays, Jerry Lewis-style, Navin Johnson, the white adopted son of poor black sharecroppers who makes a fortune (via non-slip spectacles that stay on the nose!), then loses a fortune (the spectacles make you cross-eyed!).

Cue absurd humour and madcap comedy 1970s-style. Martin is a copiously talented, charismatic funnyman, and there are some great gags here, but many of the jokes misfire and the moronic character is a problem.

Martin co-wrote with Carl Gottlieb and Michael Elias. Martin’s director Reiner became a regular partner, going on to make Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid, The Man with Two Brains and All of Me together.

Also in the cast are Bernadette Peters, Catlin Adams, Jackie Mason, Bill Macy, Maurice Evans, Richard Ward, Mabel King, M Emmet Walsh, Dick O’Neill, Pepe Serna and Carl Reiner.

The Jerk is directed by Carl Reiner, runs 94 minutes, is produced by Aspen, is distributed by Universal, is written by Steve Martin, Carl Gottlieb and Michael Elias, based on a story by Steve Martin and Carl Gottlieb, is shot by Victor J Kemper, is produced by Davis V Picker, William E McEwan and Peter MacGregor-Scott, and scored by Jack Elliott.

It was a huge hit, grossing more than $73 million in the US.

Martin and Peters went on to make Pennies from Heaven (1981) together.

Carl Reiner (1922–2020).

Beloved comedian Carl Reiner, The Dick Van Dyke Show creator and legendary comedy icon, died at 98 on 29 June 2020. He won nine Emmy Awards, three as actor, four as writer and two as producer, as well as a Grammy Award.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 6894

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