"The Ladies Man" is a pleasant enough little comedy from Jerry Lewis who co-wrote, produced, directed and starred in.
It starts out at Herbert's (Lewis) graduation from college. He is is unceremoniously dumped by his girl friend and becomes despondent vowing to hate all women. And then we are introduced to his parents, father (Kenneth MacDonald) and a ridiculously made up Lewis as his mother. What was he thinking.
Anyway Herbert seeks employment in Hollywood rejecting any jobs that involve contact with females. Then, guess what? He applies for a job at what turns out to be a residence for aspiring female show biz wannabes. Katie (the marvelous Kathleen Freeman) interviews him for the job. Herbert impresses her and is hired as an all round handy man. He meets the "Madam" Miss Wellenmellon Helen Traubel) a retired Opera singer who has throun open her luxurious mansion to the women. Herbert still is not aware that he will be working among a bevy of beauties.
He wakes the next morning and is shocked and tries to leave but is talked out of it. He goes about his duties such as delivering the mail, which affords him the opportunity of meeting the girls face to face, and cleaning up around the place breaking several valuable pieces along the way. He also meets up with guest stars Buddy Lester and George Raft with whom he has hilarious encounters. There is also a TV show which shows up at the house hosted by an Edward R. Morrow wannabe Wetbrook Van Vorlins supposedly to honor Miss Wellenmellen. This gives Herbert and the girls an opportunity to stage a show in her honor (most of which seems to have been cut out.
One of the girls (Pat Stanley) takes pity on Herbert and stands up for him in front of the others as he is trying to leave yet again. An attraction is formed between the two.
Lewis is a little more subdued this time around. Although he still has time for some of his antics, his usual madcap wall to wall humor is gone. There are more dramatic scenes than usual.
A word about the massive set. It is quite the thing. A three story multi-room structure complete with a working elevator. It is decorated mostly in red which makes it look like a high end brothel unfortunately.
The appearance out of nowhere of Harry James and his orchestra is chalked up to Herbert's "imagination". Others in the cast include Jack Kruschen, Doodles Weaver, Fritz Feld and Lewis regular Del Moore playing a TV announcer once again. There are many, many pretty girls in the cast, too many to mention, as well.
It starts out at Herbert's (Lewis) graduation from college. He is is unceremoniously dumped by his girl friend and becomes despondent vowing to hate all women. And then we are introduced to his parents, father (Kenneth MacDonald) and a ridiculously made up Lewis as his mother. What was he thinking.
Anyway Herbert seeks employment in Hollywood rejecting any jobs that involve contact with females. Then, guess what? He applies for a job at what turns out to be a residence for aspiring female show biz wannabes. Katie (the marvelous Kathleen Freeman) interviews him for the job. Herbert impresses her and is hired as an all round handy man. He meets the "Madam" Miss Wellenmellon Helen Traubel) a retired Opera singer who has throun open her luxurious mansion to the women. Herbert still is not aware that he will be working among a bevy of beauties.
He wakes the next morning and is shocked and tries to leave but is talked out of it. He goes about his duties such as delivering the mail, which affords him the opportunity of meeting the girls face to face, and cleaning up around the place breaking several valuable pieces along the way. He also meets up with guest stars Buddy Lester and George Raft with whom he has hilarious encounters. There is also a TV show which shows up at the house hosted by an Edward R. Morrow wannabe Wetbrook Van Vorlins supposedly to honor Miss Wellenmellen. This gives Herbert and the girls an opportunity to stage a show in her honor (most of which seems to have been cut out.
One of the girls (Pat Stanley) takes pity on Herbert and stands up for him in front of the others as he is trying to leave yet again. An attraction is formed between the two.
Lewis is a little more subdued this time around. Although he still has time for some of his antics, his usual madcap wall to wall humor is gone. There are more dramatic scenes than usual.
A word about the massive set. It is quite the thing. A three story multi-room structure complete with a working elevator. It is decorated mostly in red which makes it look like a high end brothel unfortunately.
The appearance out of nowhere of Harry James and his orchestra is chalked up to Herbert's "imagination". Others in the cast include Jack Kruschen, Doodles Weaver, Fritz Feld and Lewis regular Del Moore playing a TV announcer once again. There are many, many pretty girls in the cast, too many to mention, as well.