Goofy alien Jerry Lewis lands on Earth, decides to try the suburban way of life for awhile, angering his superior officers in space. Screenwriter Edmund Beloin adapted Gore Vidal's play, but it doesn't seem directly tailored for Lewis' mugging talents--which is a blessing. The material is actually quite sophisticated, with a fair amount of witty lines and good supporting performances by Joan Blackman, Earl Holliman and Gale Gordon. Jerry Lewis himself isn't bad; he had yet to be reeled-in by a strong director, but he isn't grating or overtly offensive here. There's some surprising, modern humor in this scenario, while the production, the (minimal) special effects, and Loyal Griggs' black-and-white cinematography are all first-rate. Lots of fun! **1/2 from ****
24 Reviews
Funny guy from outer space!!
elo-equipamentos2 January 2018
I'm suspicious to talk about Jerry Lewis he makes part of my life in my youthful days and today a l have almost all movie from this true genius of the comedy whose many actors were inspired by him, like Jim Carrey, this time he came to the Earth as a clumsy friendly alien visitor, who didn't scary nobody except a fearful dog which he talks each other, great acting from veteran actor Fred Clark , the always fine Earl Holliman and John Williams as Alien leader who almost stolen the movie with a funny performance!! Just came out officially in Brazil with dubbed short version and extended subtitled version, sorry for a wrong choice for black and white photography, as comedy works well in color!!
Resume:
First watch: 2017 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7.25
Resume:
First watch: 2017 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7.25
Silly Fun
satinspiderr17 June 2002
This has to be where Robin Williams drew his inspiration from for Mork of Ork. While this movie is by no means the funniest fish out of water film you could see, I think it still rates a look IF you could just find it somewhere...
Funny.
SanDiego15 August 2000
Film version of Gore Vidal's stage hit was later re-made as TV's Mork and Mindy. UFO movies in the 50's and early 60's usually dealt with unfriendly, intellectually superior aliens out to kill helpless and somewhat naive humans. Then comes Jerry Lewis as a friendly, intellectually lacking alien who is out to study the "human condition." Most of the gags have been used and reused again on countless sitcoms but they are done well. Great character actors give hilarious supporting performances. Supposedly Gore Vidal was not happy with this version of his play. I've seen Vidal on TV many times over the years and never once ever seen him laugh or smile so maybe he has a different definition of comedy than the rest of the planet.
What must Gore Vidal have thought?
bkoganbing26 February 2013
Back in 1955 Gore Vidal wrote a television play that later went to Broadway for 388 performances and starred Cyril Ritchard and Eddie Mayehoff. It was meant to be a satire on McCarthyism with an alien miscalculating a visit to Earth's American Civil War and arriving in Virginia a century later. So what must he have thought when his Broadway play wound up a vehicle for Jerry Lewis. Not that it's a bad Jerry Lewis, not his best to be sure, but surely not what Vidal intended.
Jerry plays a most innocent alien with powers akin to what Ray Walston had in my favorite Martian. His people from way the other side of the galaxy have progressed to not only having powers beyond mortal men, but have dispensed with emotions. His people like his mentor John Williams are just below the Organians from Star Trek in that they still have corporeal bodies. Jerry wants to feel some earth like experiences so Williams gives him a chance.
He experiences emotions all right, but a little too much for one Visit To A Small Planet. How he copes with Earth and its Earthlings is for you watch the film for.
I can see that the characters that are played by the cynical Fred Clark and the excitable and paranoid Gale Gordon might have made great counterpoints for satire. But Jerry Lewis never has done satire and I doubt at his age he'll try it. Lee Patrick plays a role modeled on what she did as Leo G. Carroll's wife in the television version of Topper.
It's jealousy that does Jerry in, mainly the jealousy that Earl Holliman feels as his girl and Clark and Patrick's daughter Joan Blackman starts taking an interest in their outer space visitor. Truth be told I can't see what Blackman sees in Holliman's lunkhead character. Holliman must have felt ridiculous doing the part.
Best sequence in the film is Lewis and Blackman's visit to a beatnik joint and the impression he makes on all those cool cats. You'll get a chance to see ace drummer Buddy Rich in that scene and that should never be passed up.
Visit To A Small Planet is a decent enough Jerry Lewis film, but far from whatever Gore Vidal had in mind.
Jerry plays a most innocent alien with powers akin to what Ray Walston had in my favorite Martian. His people from way the other side of the galaxy have progressed to not only having powers beyond mortal men, but have dispensed with emotions. His people like his mentor John Williams are just below the Organians from Star Trek in that they still have corporeal bodies. Jerry wants to feel some earth like experiences so Williams gives him a chance.
He experiences emotions all right, but a little too much for one Visit To A Small Planet. How he copes with Earth and its Earthlings is for you watch the film for.
I can see that the characters that are played by the cynical Fred Clark and the excitable and paranoid Gale Gordon might have made great counterpoints for satire. But Jerry Lewis never has done satire and I doubt at his age he'll try it. Lee Patrick plays a role modeled on what she did as Leo G. Carroll's wife in the television version of Topper.
It's jealousy that does Jerry in, mainly the jealousy that Earl Holliman feels as his girl and Clark and Patrick's daughter Joan Blackman starts taking an interest in their outer space visitor. Truth be told I can't see what Blackman sees in Holliman's lunkhead character. Holliman must have felt ridiculous doing the part.
Best sequence in the film is Lewis and Blackman's visit to a beatnik joint and the impression he makes on all those cool cats. You'll get a chance to see ace drummer Buddy Rich in that scene and that should never be passed up.
Visit To A Small Planet is a decent enough Jerry Lewis film, but far from whatever Gore Vidal had in mind.
Not bad but the longer the film goes, the more tiring it comes.
planktonrules26 June 2012
"Visit to a Small Planet" is an early Jerry Lewis solo film. Apparently, it was originally a teleplay and then a very successful Broadway play and I have no idea how close all this is to the film. However, considering that the author was NOT at all pleased with the casting of Lewis, I assume the projects are very, very different.
The planet begins in some sort of far off world across the universe. A crazy guy (Lewis) makes a nuisance of himself and constantly talks about how fascinated he is by humans that the big boss-man (John Williams) decides to allow him to visit this insignificant place--to get it out of his system. There, he meets a nice family and hangs out with them--getting into all sorts of adventures.
Some of the film is quite funny (such as when Jerry drinks for the first time). However, most of it is just pleasant light-hearted fun. However, the longer the film goes, the less fun it becomes. It's unusual to see a film fade like this one did, but the final portion lost momentum and had some flat moments that were clearly overdone. Worst were the beatnik scene (at first, it wasn't bad) and the final scene with the spaceship was just awful. Also, occasionally Lewis mugged a bit too much--something that he had a tendency to do a bit too often in his films. Overall, a flawed but pleasant diversion.
cute drunk scene and ceiling excessive mugging (such as the bongo scene)
The planet begins in some sort of far off world across the universe. A crazy guy (Lewis) makes a nuisance of himself and constantly talks about how fascinated he is by humans that the big boss-man (John Williams) decides to allow him to visit this insignificant place--to get it out of his system. There, he meets a nice family and hangs out with them--getting into all sorts of adventures.
Some of the film is quite funny (such as when Jerry drinks for the first time). However, most of it is just pleasant light-hearted fun. However, the longer the film goes, the less fun it becomes. It's unusual to see a film fade like this one did, but the final portion lost momentum and had some flat moments that were clearly overdone. Worst were the beatnik scene (at first, it wasn't bad) and the final scene with the spaceship was just awful. Also, occasionally Lewis mugged a bit too much--something that he had a tendency to do a bit too often in his films. Overall, a flawed but pleasant diversion.
cute drunk scene and ceiling excessive mugging (such as the bongo scene)
Hollywood ruined re muddling of a brilliant social satire
johnbassett18 March 2012
Although somewhat funny because of the typical Jerry Lewis antics, it bears very little resemblance to the original TV and Broadway plays which was supposedly the basis for the film. I was lucky enough to see the original TV broadcast and read the play. Personally, I found the TV version to be the best. The premise is that an alien (of superior intelligence) comes to earth and makes rather scathing comments and conclusions from his observations about American (and world) cultures and societies. Most likely rather accurate reflections of the author's (Gore Vidal) thoughts on the subjects and issues. It was a very socially relevant portrayal of the time period. The film version vaguely touched on some and made the alien a very naive buffoon which turned a great satire into a comic farce for laughs only and of little intellectual value.
I keep hoping that someday a video version of the TV broadcast will be released. I believe that the UCLA archives does have a kinescope copy on file.
JGB in Massachusetts
I keep hoping that someday a video version of the TV broadcast will be released. I believe that the UCLA archives does have a kinescope copy on file.
JGB in Massachusetts
A must see for Jerry's fans!
Freethinker_Atheist7 October 2014
I didn't know this movie exists, so I'm very surprised, because as a boy I just loved Jerry Lewis. Long time I wished he would come to my birthday party. Once, in my naivety, I even called Paramount Pictures and asked to talk to Jerry. He wasn't there, they said.
Some people commented, Gore Vidal wasn't happy with Jerry Lewis playing the main character. I totally disagree: Jerry is trying very hard to save a script that simply isn't funny! Yes, unfortunately this is a very unfunny comedy, but the little funny moments come all from Jerry. Actually I think it was a mistake that Jerry accepted to play in this movie, because this story is too silly even by Jerry Lewis' standards! So, watch it as a Jerry's rarity and try to enjoy it as such.
Some people commented, Gore Vidal wasn't happy with Jerry Lewis playing the main character. I totally disagree: Jerry is trying very hard to save a script that simply isn't funny! Yes, unfortunately this is a very unfunny comedy, but the little funny moments come all from Jerry. Actually I think it was a mistake that Jerry accepted to play in this movie, because this story is too silly even by Jerry Lewis' standards! So, watch it as a Jerry's rarity and try to enjoy it as such.
Stopped at 15:27
wjefferyholt2 September 2020
Life is too short to wade through the antics of Jerry Lewis in this tepid paycheck of a movie. I read the play in junior high, and the teacher loved it so much she got hold of the movie and was able to show it to us uninterrupted. When it was over she turned off the film, put her had on her hips shaking her head. All she said was, "Sorry." I tried to see it fifty years later, and all I can say to myself is, "You should have known better."
Not one of Jerry Lewis' best
alessio-612 April 2000
This is a rare one to be seen around, so you may want to watch it just because you might never see it again... but don't expect the same quality as other Jerry Lewis movies. Although there are some really funny scenes, Kreton is not half as funny as that other crazy alien, Mork (played by Robin Williams), and the movie lacks action and moves on very slowly through a thin plot a a lot of standard gags.
A mixed "blessing"!
JohnHowardReid15 March 2018
Warning: Spoilers
The stage play (expanded by Vidal from his TV script) opened on Broadway at the Booth on 7 February 1957 and ran a most successful 388 performances with Cyril Ritchard (who also directed) in the lead.
COMMENT: When it relies more on the original play and less on the "talents" of Jerry Lewis, Visit to a Small Planet is moderately entertaining. Lewis fortunately is assisted by far more able comedians in Fred Clark and Gale Gordon who make the most of the risible situations and cynical dialogue. Miss Blackman is an agreeable heroine, whilst Earl Holliman has one of his meatiest parts as her jealous but not over-bright suitor. The extraneous incidents tacked on to the play, particularly a tediously long "beatnik" interlude in which Lewis gets to dance with - well not so much "with" as "around" - Barbara Lawson, were better left on the cutting-room floor. Some of the special effects are quite attractively contrived, though others are constrained by the film's obviously limited budget. Many of these effects sequences feature John Williams who seems to be acting at half steam. Taurog's direction is, as usual, competent but unexciting.
OTHER VIEWS: By the humble standards of Jerry Lewis, this is a fairly engaging comedy for half its length. But after a boring and tedious and overlong visit to a beatnik dive, the film loses just about all its steam and resorts to a replay of the romantic situations plus a mild attempt at a slapstick climax which doesn't come off. The special effects are fairly effective and the support playing is adequate though Miss Blackman is not a particularly attractive heroine either in looks or personality and players like Clark, Gordon and Cowan act in a broad caricature manner which doesn't jell so well with the less animated playing of Blackman and Holliman. Mr Lewis is a bit more restrained than usual, though director Taurog still allows him a full quota of close-ups in which he mugs away to his heart's content. Aside from a bit of by-play with a glass screen in front of the camera, the direction is ruthlessly routine. Production values are very moderate with most of the action taking place in one set. -- JHR writing as George Addison. .
COMMENT: When it relies more on the original play and less on the "talents" of Jerry Lewis, Visit to a Small Planet is moderately entertaining. Lewis fortunately is assisted by far more able comedians in Fred Clark and Gale Gordon who make the most of the risible situations and cynical dialogue. Miss Blackman is an agreeable heroine, whilst Earl Holliman has one of his meatiest parts as her jealous but not over-bright suitor. The extraneous incidents tacked on to the play, particularly a tediously long "beatnik" interlude in which Lewis gets to dance with - well not so much "with" as "around" - Barbara Lawson, were better left on the cutting-room floor. Some of the special effects are quite attractively contrived, though others are constrained by the film's obviously limited budget. Many of these effects sequences feature John Williams who seems to be acting at half steam. Taurog's direction is, as usual, competent but unexciting.
OTHER VIEWS: By the humble standards of Jerry Lewis, this is a fairly engaging comedy for half its length. But after a boring and tedious and overlong visit to a beatnik dive, the film loses just about all its steam and resorts to a replay of the romantic situations plus a mild attempt at a slapstick climax which doesn't come off. The special effects are fairly effective and the support playing is adequate though Miss Blackman is not a particularly attractive heroine either in looks or personality and players like Clark, Gordon and Cowan act in a broad caricature manner which doesn't jell so well with the less animated playing of Blackman and Holliman. Mr Lewis is a bit more restrained than usual, though director Taurog still allows him a full quota of close-ups in which he mugs away to his heart's content. Aside from a bit of by-play with a glass screen in front of the camera, the direction is ruthlessly routine. Production values are very moderate with most of the action taking place in one set. -- JHR writing as George Addison. .
Classic Science Fiction Comedy.
Dejael26 November 2002
A bumbling, clowning alien visitor named Kreton observes the ways of humans here on Earth. Arriving in Richmond, Virginia in Civil War costume in 1960, he believes he is just in time to witness the beginnings of the Civil War, but is off by 100 years. He then decides to observe the customs of 20th Century American life, including such things as lovemaking rituals and what people do for entertainment: he watches two people romantically involved with each other (Holliman & Blackman), billing and cooing at one another, and ends up getting between them; he goes to a Beatnik nightclub, and realizes that the Beatniks are more like the aliens he knows than humans. Lots of hilarious Jerry Lewis mugging, sight-gags and comedy routines, terrific special effects work by the master John P. Fulton; great flying saucers! Terrific counterpoint with Lewis' Kreton and his professor back home, Mr. Delton, played by the distinguished English actor John Williams; a few Lewis gems: "Keep your nose out of other people's planets", even if you think "the grass is greener on the other side of the galaxy"! A really fun picture. I saw this when it first came out in the summer of 1960. Too bad it wasn't filmed in Technicolor; that's really the only flaw I find in it - it was made in b&w. It would have been so much better in Technicolor. This is probably why it wasn't more popular. Great fun for the whole family, with a terrific cast. This was Lewis' last studio picture under his old Paramount contract before he formed his own independent production company; he made "The Bellboy" in six weeks completely on his own, right after completing work on this movie, and sold it to Paramount. This would be his arrangement with the film studio on all his subsequent films of the 1960s at the studio until he went on to other studios. Delightful for Jerry Lewis fans, and a delightful music score by Leigh Harline. So why isn't this out on video?
lesser known j lewis
ksf-22 September 2022
Jerry lewis is kreton, apparently on a mission to observe earth, without goofing it up. Or something like that. It's mostly pretty dated jokes at this point... the big special effects are lewis hanging upside down from the ceiling, and levitating a car, which were which were probably a pretty big deal back in 1960. It's just an excuse for lewis to parade around in various costumes. He seems to think he's back in the time of the civil war. It's confusing, but I don't think we're supposed to examine it too closely. You'll recognize john williams as mister delton, kreton's instructor; williams was Sabrina's father in the film Sabrina! Also gale gordon (mrs. Carmichael!!), fred clark (millionaire, burns and allen) even a reference to elvis, who had just returned from serving in the army. And I like the fact that lewis uses his regular voice for most of the film... every now and then he does the (annoying) high pitched voice that he used for so long. It's okay. Was probably more entertaining back in the day. Based on the play by gore vidal! Who knew? What a strange connection. This was actually nominated for best art direction/decoration.
60s Sit-Com caliber Sci-Fi Comedy
thursdaysrecords14 October 2019
Jerry Lewis is joined by a cast of Classic Hollywood Comedy character actors, but together they can't lift this UFO story above mediocre "Dennis The Menace" style sit-com level. Jerry Lewis' slap-stick talents are wasted on this low budged nonsense. - Lewis plays a goofy guy from the other side of the universe who can't help but keep visiting "that crazy small planet" aka Earth. He wanted to "drop in" on 1861 Civil War, but accidentally landed in 1960 white-picket fence suberbia. Everyone is preparing for a costume party. Guess what everyone is dressed up as? The cast of Gone With the Wind! - If you're still interested, then spend an hour and a half with this far fetched yarn. As a fan of Jerry Lewis films, I'm deeply disappointed by this one.
Jerry as a space man
Petey-1014 April 2000
Jerry Lewis plays a space man called Kreton, who comes to this small planet called Earth.There he meets these weird Earth people and gets in troubles.Visit to a Small Planet is a nice Jerry Lewis comedy from 1960.It's not his greatest works, but it has some funny parts, as Jerry Lewis comedies usually. Watch the movie if you're a Jerry Lewis fan and even if you're not.Give it a chance.
Jerry Lewis, Gore Vidal, and a talking dog...
JasparLamarCrabb30 April 2013
Warning: Spoilers
A mildly entertaining film based on a Gore Vidal play. Jerry Lewis is an alien visiting Earth to observe the inhabitants. He causes some mayhem for pompous TV host Fred Clark and gets involved in a romantic triangle with Joan Blackman & Earl Holliman. There's not much more to it...Lewis performs some tricks, mostly involving levitating things. There's a talking dog (and cat!), Gale Gordon as a nosy neighbor and a very funny sequence in a beatnik night-club ("shave my beard and call me normal!") Lewis goons it up in a role that seems to have been tailor made for him, though it wasn't. Directed with a tiny bit of panache by old-timer Norman Taurog (he won the 1931 Oscar for directing SKIPPY), who spent the last fifteen years of his career helming Martin & Lewis films as well as a fair amount of Elvis films.
I hate to.. But I have to.......
brianehill14 March 2021
A MUST SEE!
Ghenghy4 July 2002
Thank you Cinemax for dusting off this rare gem. You don't get too many chances to see this on the tube. The idea of Jerry Lewis popping in from 8 million light years away in his saucer to help Gen. Lee's troops fight the "damn yankees" should be enough incentive for anyone to make time for this and it doesnt disappoint. Unfortunately Jerry miscalculated and landed on Earth 100 years later-he's a student, not a very smart one but he is majoring in the "Earth" so his natural curiosity brought him down for a short stay, much to the frustration and eventual amusement of his mentor Mr. Delton on his home planet where his every move is monitored on the first 60" wide screen I can remember seeing. The movie is just hilarious with sight gags galore. I thought I was going to fall out of my chair watching Jerry take his first glass of whiskey and then walk up the wall and stand on the ceiling to have a conversation with his host. And the Beatnik scene at the "Hungry Brain" is a real keeper although many probably wont get it-beatniks were the 'way cool' hipsters that preceded the flower child movement of the 60's. Koo koo baby! Earl Holliman is very funny in an early role and Joan Blackman is scrumptious as Holliman's love interest that he can never seem to keep his hands off of. She later appeared in two Elvis flicks so you know she's got to be pretty hot. Just a great movie and I think ranks in Lewis' top three with The Bellboy and The Errand Boy. Don't miss it. 9/10
Jerry at his best working for someone else
ruthann-renaud25 June 2009
I was five years old when this movie came out and was intrigued more by the special effects (Jerry floating in air and walking up the wall and onto the ceiling). It was also of not that this was his last film for many years where he had someone else direct the film (the veteran Norman Taurog). From this Jerry went to make his kind of movies. My parents were big Lewis fans and I am to this day. This may not be up there with "The Nutty Professor" but it's close. This film also had a good supporting cast and had a "stagy" look befitting its origins as a play. I mentioned being intrigued by the FX (floating and walking on walls). Being a typical kid I thought I could walk on walls and quickly found out I couldn't. This is definitely something that shouldn't be tried at home-only in the movies.
I like Gore Vidal, but in this one, I prefer Jerry Lewis's version.
johnwaynepeel18 February 2017
Warning: Spoilers
I remember seeing this move in it's original rum in the Central Square Theatre when I was a kid, but I read the play years later in my high school library in a book of plays from that year.
I still remember Fred Clark as the Dad whom I knew from TV shows like The Burns and Allen Show.
There where many sight gags in the movie which made me laugh uproariously at the time, and I remember sharing many scenes to old friends in the projects just afterwards.
One I remember particularly was when Kreton (Lewis) played some bongos without touching them as the drummer(Buddy Rich, whom I didn't know THEN) angrily played the drum.
I also remember Joan Blackman's boyfriend as Earl Holliman. He was one of those who I knew better in television on a lot of westerns and an early Twilight Zone episode, and a character part in Forbidden Planet.
Many actors I learned about much after the fact from TV versions or reruns.
I loved this movie then, and I love it even more now.
I still don't understand or get those who hate Jerry Lewis in films, but I certainly understand those who didn't like him as a person.
Having met him one time in a local TV Show when I brought him a portrait I had done, he didn't look at me much as he told me his wife took those. Her name was Patty and she was wonderful though, as she loved my drawing and thanked me profusely. She even introduced me to her son, whom I believe is now working for Jerry's business answering fan mail.
I think this is one of his best, and it only gets better with each viewing. I don't think Gore Vidal's play would work since it was more of a satire of the McCarthy hearings, and wouldn't hold as well as this movie.
I still remember Fred Clark as the Dad whom I knew from TV shows like The Burns and Allen Show.
There where many sight gags in the movie which made me laugh uproariously at the time, and I remember sharing many scenes to old friends in the projects just afterwards.
One I remember particularly was when Kreton (Lewis) played some bongos without touching them as the drummer(Buddy Rich, whom I didn't know THEN) angrily played the drum.
I also remember Joan Blackman's boyfriend as Earl Holliman. He was one of those who I knew better in television on a lot of westerns and an early Twilight Zone episode, and a character part in Forbidden Planet.
Many actors I learned about much after the fact from TV versions or reruns.
I loved this movie then, and I love it even more now.
I still don't understand or get those who hate Jerry Lewis in films, but I certainly understand those who didn't like him as a person.
Having met him one time in a local TV Show when I brought him a portrait I had done, he didn't look at me much as he told me his wife took those. Her name was Patty and she was wonderful though, as she loved my drawing and thanked me profusely. She even introduced me to her son, whom I believe is now working for Jerry's business answering fan mail.
I think this is one of his best, and it only gets better with each viewing. I don't think Gore Vidal's play would work since it was more of a satire of the McCarthy hearings, and wouldn't hold as well as this movie.
Boredom to death!
RodrigAndrisan14 September 2018
Jerry Lewis was a big kid. He believed that all he was doing was fun and that everyone would laugh. But his gags and his humor are infantile, pure invention of a child who has remained a child, which has not matured. His best film is "Which Way to the Front?" directed by himself. I think I laughed a little when I've seen "The Ladies Man," but I'm not sure. This "Visit to a Small Planet" is totally stupid, you have nothing to laugh about at all.
1 Of 2 Vidal Inspired Movies ...
dweilermg-125 June 2020
Classic Jerry Lewis, physical comedy.
TxMike11 September 2022
There is a story here but most of it seems to exist only to give Jerry Lewis a vehicle for his comedy. He is a member of a race on another planet, he says 8 million light years away, and for variety he decides to visit Earth.
Here he meets various people and settles in to a family that invites him to stay with them. Eventually they realize, because of his mysterious powers, that he is in fact an alien.
I enjoyed it because I sort of grew up in the 1960s and 1970s with Jerry Lewis, some of the best with his sidekick Dean Martin. I came across it on U-tube streaming movies.
So by now IMDb reviews require a minimum of 600 characters, I suppose that is good, it eliminates the meaningless, one-sentence reviews. So this last paragraph is added to comply.
Here he meets various people and settles in to a family that invites him to stay with them. Eventually they realize, because of his mysterious powers, that he is in fact an alien.
I enjoyed it because I sort of grew up in the 1960s and 1970s with Jerry Lewis, some of the best with his sidekick Dean Martin. I came across it on U-tube streaming movies.
So by now IMDb reviews require a minimum of 600 characters, I suppose that is good, it eliminates the meaningless, one-sentence reviews. So this last paragraph is added to comply.
Bland Film Without Many Laughs
Michael_Elliott28 August 2017
Visit to a Small Planet (1960)
** (out of 4)
Kreton (Jerry Lewis) is an alien who has always been fascinated by Earth. Whenever he gets a chance he breaks away from his people to take a closer look. Finally, he's allowed to stay on Earth and ends up inside the home of a man who doesn't believe there's anything out in space.
Apparently this Gore Vidal script was originally meant for the television and it's easy to see that. VISIT TO A SMALL PLANET is a pretty forgettable film on many levels, although I'm sure die hard fans of Lewis will still want to check it out. Sadly, the interesting premise is pretty much ruined by a film without too many laughs and an overall cheap look.
As I said, it's clear that this was meant to be something for television and what really hurts the picture is the fact that it just runs out of gas around the thirty-minute mark and things can never pick up. The film goes on way too long and that's a problem when it clocks in at just 85-minutes. There are a few funny moments with the alien experiences a few things for the first time but this isn't enough to carry the picture.
Lewis is fairly bland and boring in the role of the alien. He really keeps it low-key and just never builds up any energy in the role. IT's pretty easy to see why VISIT TO A SMALL PLANET has been forgotten over the years.
** (out of 4)
Kreton (Jerry Lewis) is an alien who has always been fascinated by Earth. Whenever he gets a chance he breaks away from his people to take a closer look. Finally, he's allowed to stay on Earth and ends up inside the home of a man who doesn't believe there's anything out in space.
Apparently this Gore Vidal script was originally meant for the television and it's easy to see that. VISIT TO A SMALL PLANET is a pretty forgettable film on many levels, although I'm sure die hard fans of Lewis will still want to check it out. Sadly, the interesting premise is pretty much ruined by a film without too many laughs and an overall cheap look.
As I said, it's clear that this was meant to be something for television and what really hurts the picture is the fact that it just runs out of gas around the thirty-minute mark and things can never pick up. The film goes on way too long and that's a problem when it clocks in at just 85-minutes. There are a few funny moments with the alien experiences a few things for the first time but this isn't enough to carry the picture.
Lewis is fairly bland and boring in the role of the alien. He really keeps it low-key and just never builds up any energy in the role. IT's pretty easy to see why VISIT TO A SMALL PLANET has been forgotten over the years.
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