To me, this movie is perfection.

A Major Disappointment

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Somewhere along the line Jerry Lewis who directed as well as starred in The Errand Boy forgot to put a coherent plot together. Normally that's something I look for first and foremost. But with the very thin premise that someone would hire Jerry to be an efficiency expert because no one would think a schnook like him would be suspected, Lewis succeeded in putting together a wonderful series of gags most of them involving not a word of dialog. Because of that The Errand Boy rates right up there with the best of Jerry's work in film. Brian Donlevy plays the head of Paramutual Studios and he and the rest of the Paramutual clan hire this klutzy paperhanger to root out the inefficiency in operations at the studio which is costing them money. Again because no one would suspect Lewis of being any kind of a spy because no one would suspect of having any kind of brain. Pretty thin if you ask me.Still if it weren't for Donlevy's folly we wouldn't get this marvelous film. Some wonderful comedy bits are far too numerous to mention, but some of my favorites were him taking Kathleen Freeman through the car wash and getting her properly waxed, the drowning sequence in the pool, his appearance as an extra in Sig Ruman's film causing Ruman the director to have a nervous breakdown. Best of all at the birthday party for star Iris Adrian, Jerry opening a yard high magnum of champagne which comes out with the force of a fire hose.Because so little dialog is used, The Errand Boy is probably the film that critics most often cite when they say and I agree that Jerry Lewis could have been one of the classic silent screen star, right up there with Chaplin, Lloyd, and Keaton. The Errand Boy ranks up with one of the best of Jerry Lewis's solo films and a must for his fans.

The Errand Boy (1961) was another writer-actor-director outing from Jerry Lewis. He stars as a dim-witted billboard worker who's turned into a spy for the head of Paramutual Studios. His job is to work as an errand boy and find out why the studio is spending so much money. Whilst on the job he learns about the inner workings of the movie industry and more about himself in the process. Can he survive working for such a demanding business?Love him or hate him, you can't say Jerry Lewis is unoriginal. After a slow start, the movie kicks into high gear when the gags begin. Besides being an entertaining film, you also get a good look at the actual inner workings of a movie studio. There's even a couple of funny cameos and surprises. Personally, I don't like Jerry Lewis' work with Dean Martin and his solo outings. But when he's the actor-writer-director, he's a real hoot!I have to highly recommend this movie. If you like comedies or strange films, then this one's for you!xxx

THE ERRAND BOY (1961) ** Jerry as a goofy movie studio employee mistakenly hired as an efficiency expert.

This is one of his most daring and creative ventures along with The Bellboy. Not much dialogue, just over the top sight gags and general hilarity. What do you people expect? This is Jerry Lewis in top form and it just doesn't get any better. The only thing funnier than his movies are the ridiculous criticisms of his films on this sight. Hello people...this is Jerry Lewis OK! It's too bad that his egocentric persona alienated several generations that didn't grow up looking forward to his next project. The Errand Boy stands alone as one of the most innovative comedies of all time and anyone that can muster some objectivity will appreciate his work for what it is. I personally think this is one of the funniest movies of all time and I rank it as Jerry's best work, although the Academy may disagree. 10/10