MEETING JERRY LEWIS
The year was 1969 in swinging London, and I was a young
inexperienced actress who had been fortunate in having worked on some
prestigious Ken Loach BBC films, Like Cathy Come Home - whilst still training at a part time course
of The Stanislavski’s method.
When my agent called to say that I had an interview at the
penthouse suite of the Hilton Hotel to meet Jerry Lewis, I thought that he was pulling my leg, (No, he
didn’t do that kind of thing he assured me.)
The following day, this nervous girl was in the lift
ascending the long ride up to the penthouse suite, the only other person with me was a nice
young American guy, who smiled and told me not to be scared. – It must have
shown. We both entered the door to the suite together – and into a very large
room with many people busily working away.
I was asked to take a seat and wait.
A few tall model -girl types were coming and going into the room off,
and I wondered why they wanted to see me, at 5ft 2”. Finally, it was my turn, I entered and
there he was - Jerry Lewis.
He gave me a warm
smile, shook my hand, and started to talk about the film,’ One More Time’. Saying, “This is a comedy, but we play it
straight”. I replied “Isn’t that the way
to play comedy?”
This greatly impressed Jerry, who jumped up from his chair,
opened the adjoining door and declared to the room. “We have an actress here!”
He was very sweet and charming and told me that had been being seeing all the
wrong people. I guessed he meant the models/wannabee actresses –of whom there
were quite a few around, at that time.
We chatted some more
about what I had done, and I left, having been told the usual. ‘We’ll be in
touch.’ I later learned that Jerry had wanted me to play Sammy Davies Junior’s
girlfriend. (A bit old for me, I thought) but that’s the movies. I didn’t get
that part because Sammy – although married to Swedish, May Britt at the time,
felt he should have a black girlfriend in the movie. And so I was offered the only other part,
which was one day’s filming playing a waitress to Sammy Davies. The Casting director warned me that the part
wouldn’t do anything to help my career,
however, I felt that I couldn’t turn down such an opportunity and
was so glad that I didn’t.
It was summer and a Sunday shoot – a restaurant with outside
seating just behind Selfridges. In those
days The West End was deserted on Sundays.
The scene was written solely for
a verbal gag- a rather weak one. When I first came onto the set, Jerry
announced again to the crew –We have an actress here now. (He seemed to have
taken to me.)
I was briefly introduced to Sammy
Davies Junior, but when it came to filming our scene and I found myself face-to
face- with this extraordinary looking man I was completely thrown. He was tiny, but explosive. A power- house of
energy –with the eye-patch and broken nose and only a few inches from my face,
(We were the same height) and I was so thrown, that all I could do was deliver
my lines with a broad grin and a giggle. It didn’t seem to matter. It was just as well that I was experienced
in improvising, as Sammy, changed the dialogue on each take.
As well as Jerry Lewis - who was directing,
and Sammy Davis, there was another star - Peter Lawford. The only person missing was Frank
Sinatra! Lawford, was waiting to do his
scene - looking immaculate, cool, and very charming, and making sure that we
all had champagne with our lunch.
They were all so lovely to me, a day not to forget.
I watched and admired Jerry Lewis
as a director. He was much taller and better looking than he appeared on the
screen. At one point he took me aside
as though we were old friends, and in a very Jewish way confided in me that he
was having a lot of problems with the shoot, as the budget did not permit him
to cast the actors he really wanted. I was very flattered that he took me into
his confidence like that.
The wannabee starlet –playing the
Sammy’s girlfriend, was behaving badly and getting short shift from Jerry who
threatened to sack her. In the end her part was cut from the film, as was mine.
My impression of Sammy Davies,
was that he needed constant attention and reassurance which surprised me coming
from such an accomplished famous entertainer.
My day, sadly came to an
end... but not before the nice young
American, Gary Ebbins, who was the producer’s son and acting as Jerry’s
assistant, took my phone number and we spent some time together. Having fun –
zooming around the London scene.
“One More Time” or “Salt And Pepper no 2”. Was
a film out of tune with the times, and a flop.
Later on, I was very annoyed with myself for
not ask the stills photographer for a still of me with Sammy Davies, it would
have been a great memento. However I have kept the Call Sheet.
I received a very nice letter from Jerry Lewis
before he left for the US. (Garry told me that he only sent a few). Thanking
me, and saying he hoped we could do it “One More Time.” It was signed by him in ink – his famous
signature - now fading. And so the
circus finally left town... and I said goodbye to Garry - I think he came an
agent in Hollywood.
I carried on acting but was never
given the chance to prove myself and turned to scriptwriting in the 80’s with
more success and fulfilment.
And so, with the sad death of the
great man, Jerry Lewis I wanted to remember him and that sunny Sunday long ago,
and to share my memory.
Adrienne Conway
Formally
Adrienne
Frame
