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The Disorderly Orderly
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Wikipedia article
'The Disorderly Orderly' is a 1964 American comedy film released by Paramount Pictures, and starring Jerry Lewis. The film was produced by Paul Jones with a screenplay by director Frank Tashlin, based on a story by Norm Liebermann and Ed Haas.
Plot
Jerome Littlefield is an orderly at the Whitestone Sanatorium and Hospital who suffers from "neurotic identification empathy"a psychosomatic problem that causes him to suffer the symptoms of others and interferes with his ability to function effectively on the job. His unwitting propensity for slapstick-style mayhem sorely tries the patience of Dr. Howard and Nurse Higgins.
When his high school crush Susan Andrews is admitted to the hospital after a suicide attempt, Jerome gradually comes to the realization that his problem is a result of his years-long obsession with her. While he fails to establish a romantic relationship with Andrews, he does lift her spirits, thus banishing any thought of suicide and giving her the will to live.
A runaway gurney is chased by several ambulances and causes the destruction of ceiling-high canned goods displays in a Market Basket grocery store. Littlefield is cured of his problem, reunited with his girlfriend Julie, and looking forward to resuming his interrupted medical school career.
Cast
* Jerry Lewis as Jerome Littlefield
* Susan Oliver as Susan
* Kathleen Freeman as Nurse Higgins
* Glenda Farrell as Dr. Howard
* Karen Sharpe as Julie
* Alice Pearce as Mrs. Fuzzibee
* Barbara Nichols as Patient
* Jack E. Leonard as Patient
* Everett Sloane as Mr. Tuffington
Production
'The Disorderly Orderly' was filmed at the Greystone Park and Mansion in Beverly Hills, California with costumes designed by Edith Head and its title song rendered by Sammy Davis, Jr.
Soundtrack
The title song, sung over the opening credits, is performed by Sammy Davis, Jr. The title song "The Disorderly Orderly" was written by songwriter Earl Shuman.
Reception
While Howard Thompson of the 'New York Times' (December 24, 1964) liked a few comedic bits and praised some secondary performers, he generally panned 'The Disorderly Orderly' writing, "[The film] runs dry at the end of the first third like a juiceless watermelon and splits open, with about the same results."[https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?_r=1&res=9D0CE3DB1F3FE13ABC4C51DFB467838F679EDE&oref=slogin 'New York Times: The Disorderly Orderly'] Retrieved August 2008.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 60% rating based on 5 reviews, with an average rating of 5.95/10.
Home media
The film was released to Region 1 DVD on October 12, 2004 and March 15, 2021.
See also
*List of American films of 1964
References
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