Jerry Lewis was an American comedian, actor, singer, filmmaker and humanitarian. His success made him a global figure in pop culture and earned him the nickname, "The King of Comedy". He teamed with singer Dean Martin to form the famous Martin and Lewis comedy duo, before moving on as a "one-man" stage act, movie star, filmmaker and singer.
The year 1957 in film involved some significant events. The Bridge on the River Kwai topped the year's box office in North America, France, and Germany, and won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Harold Brent Wallis was an American film producer. He is best known for producing Casablanca (1942), The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), and True Grit (1969), along with many other major films for Warner Bros. featuring such film stars as Humphrey Bogart, John Wayne, Bette Davis, Elvis Presley, and Errol Flynn. As a producer, he received 19 nominations for the Academy Award for Best Picture.
The story of Damon and Pythias is a legend in Greek historic writings illustrating the Pythagorean ideal of friendship. Pythias is accused of and charged with plotting against the tyrannical Dionysius I of Syracuse. Pythias requests of Dionysius to be allowed to settle his affairs. Dionysius agrees, on the condition that Pythias' friend, Damon, be held hostage and, should Pythias not return, be executed in his stead. When Pythias returns, Dionysius, amazed by the love and trust in their friendship, frees them both.
Martha Hyer was an American actress who played Gwen French in Some Came Running (1958), for which she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Her autobiography, Finding My Way: A Hollywood Memoir, was published in 1990.
American Hot Wax is a 1978 biographical film directed by Floyd Mutrux with a screenplay by John Kaye from a story by John Kaye and Art Linson. The film tells the story of pioneering disc jockey Alan Freed, who in the 1950s helped introduce and popularize rock and roll, and is often credited with coining the term "rock 'n' roll". The film starred Tim McIntire, Fran Drescher, Jay Leno, Laraine Newman, Jeff Altman, and Moosie Drier. It also featured musical performances by Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Frankie Ford, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, and Brooklyn Dreams as "Professor La Plano and The Planotones". The film was not a box-office success.
One Good Cop is a 1991 American crime drama film written and directed by Heywood Gould and starring Michael Keaton, Rene Russo, Anthony LaPaglia and Benjamin Bratt. Keaton portrays New York City Police Department Detective Artie Lewis, who, with his wife Rita (Russo), adopts his late partner's (LaPaglia) children and loves them as their own. He also targets one of the criminals responsible for his partner's death. He initially seeks justice for his adoptive children, but ultimately chooses retaliation by robbing his quarry to support his new family, endangering them and his career.
Hollywood or Bust is a 1956 American semi-musical comedy film starring the team of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. The picture was filmed from April 16 to June 19, 1956, and released on December 6, 1956, by Paramount Pictures, almost five months after the Martin and Lewis partnership split up.
The Sad Sack is a 1957 comedy film based on the Harvey Comics character of the same title, created by George Baker. The film stars Jerry Lewis and Peter Lorre and was released by Paramount Pictures.
At War with the Army is a 1950 American musical comedy film directed by Hal Walker, released by Paramount, starring the comedy team of Martin and Lewis and introducing Polly Bergen. Filmed from July through August 1949, the film premiered in San Francisco on New Year's Eve 1950. It was re-released in 1958 by OMAT Pictures.
Milton Frome was an American character actor.
Horace McMahon was an American actor. He was one of Hollywood's favorite heavies.
Half a Sixpence is a 1967 British musical film directed by George Sidney and choreographed by Gillian Lynne. The screenplay by Beverley Cross is adapted from his book for the 1963 stage musical of the same name, which was based on Kipps: The Story of a Simple Soul, a 1905 novel by H. G. Wells. The music and lyrics are by David Heneker.
Robert Ivers, also known as Bob Ivers, was an American actor who appeared in films and television in the 1950s and 1960s.
Blood on the Arrow is a 1964 Western film directed by Sidney Salkow and written by Mark Hanna and starring Dale Robertson and Martha Hyer. The plot is about the sole survivor of an Apache ambush, who rides out to save a young boy who has been captured.
The House of 1,000 Dolls is a 1967 Harry Alan Towers German-Spanish international co-production white slavery thriller starring Vincent Price. It has been described as "quite possibly the sleaziest movie AIP ever made". The film is set in Tangier. Released initially in Spain under the Spanish title La casa de las mil muñecas, it was not released in the United States until November 1967.
Cry Vengeance is a 1954 American film noir crime film directed by and starring Mark Stevens. The cast also includes Joan Vohs and Martha Hyer. It was produced by Lindsley Parsons and distributed by Allied Artists.
Once You Kiss a Stranger is a 1969 American thriller film directed by Robert Sparr and written by Norman Katkov and Frank Tarloff. The film stars Paul Burke, Carol Lynley, Martha Hyer, Peter Lind Hayes, Philip Carey, Stephen McNally and Whit Bissell. The film is a loose remake of Strangers on a Train and was released by Warner Bros.-Seven Arts on November 12, 1969.
The Big Night is a 1960 American drama film directed by Sidney Salkow and written by Ric Hardman. The film stars Randy Sparks, Venetia Stevenson, Dick Foran, Jesse White, Dick Contino and Frank Ferguson. The film was released on February 17, 1960 by Paramount Pictures.
Mary Webster was an American actress of film and television.
