The Geisha Boy (1958) Reviews

• One of Lewis's best films

  mybiglarch2007-09-26

  I think this is one Jerry Lewis's best films. Not only is it incredibly funny, but it evokes compassion (Mr.Wooley's relationship with the young boy is touching, and will make you cry) from the audience without being too sentimental. The Japanese setting is beautiful and exotic, and Miss Kimi is lovely and charming. No wonder Mr.Wooley prefers her to the cold American Sergeant Pearson (Suzanne Pleshette)! When Mr.Wooley accidentally knocks a big Hollywood actress down an airplane staircase--that has to be one of the funniest scenes in any Lewis film. This is a great family movie, and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants good comedy with a touch of tenderness in it. It ranks right up there with "The Nutty Professor"(1963).

• It was exciting to a child

  jamesrl482002-08-22

  This movie came to debut when I was ten. It was the rabbit that made me want to go and see it several times. I find this one of Jerry Lewis' better movies, minus Dean Martin. While most of his movies are just stupid, this one had some heart and soul. It is a great movie for children and if it were made to day could only be improved with maybe some special effects. Baseball fans will love it for the scene involving the Los Angeles Dodgers who had just come west from Brooklyn.

• Not a Lewis fan? This could change your mind!

  Mr. OpEd1999-02-19

  This is one of the funniest films, not just in the Jerry Lewis catalog, but ever. Lewis is a clumsy magician, trying to entertain the troops overseas (even in fox holes and under fire). Frank Tashlin's shots of Lewis' white rabbit friend, associate, and confidant are hysterical simply by their brilliant framing (and it's really just a plain old white rabbit!). Of course, there's romance as Lewis befriends a Japanese family with a gorgeous young woman, as well as the kind of sensitive story line with a terribly cute Japanese boy which John Hughes and Steven Spielberg so often fail at. And while we're at it, there's baseball and a Bridge on the River Kwai site gag. Speaking of gags, Lewis being stalked in a Japanese bath and the payoff shot are fabulous. Fun for the whole family and a must see for both Lewis fans and those who've wondered what the fuss was all about.

• Just not at all embarrassing or racist, like you might fear.

  Ben_Cheshire2015-05-05

  A sentimental Jerry Lewis comedy about a down and out magician who takes a job entertaining the troops in Japan and meets a young mother and her son who hasn't laughed since his father died. So I've had this one here for years and avoided it because of the title. Even for a Jerry Lewis movie it sounded too dumb or offensive. While it didn't have the genius routines of The Bellboy, but it was entertaining, funny in a few places, but most surprisingly it was likable. Jerry was likable, the supporting cast were likable, and I had a good time. 3/5

• Jerry goes to Japan

  Petey-102002-02-18

  Gilbert Wooley (Jerry Lewis) is a magician who goes to entertain the troops in Asia with his rabbit.There he meets a beautiful Japanese girl and a small orphan boy.The Geisha Boy (1958) is directed by Frank Tashlin and it's another hilarious Jerry Lewis movie.It's not quite the best but it still offers many funny scenes.Mr Lewis is one of the best comedians of all time and in the 50's and 60's he ruled the world of comedy.Nowadays there are only a few comedians if any who can reach to his level.This comic who will turn 76 years old next month has made many people laugh for decades.He isn't as popular in USA as he is in Europe, especially in France, which is a shame.I think everybody should notice what a great talent he is.Just watch this movie and I bet you can't stop laughing.And there's only one man to blame for that;Jerry Lewis