There is a special kind of madness that comes with being a classic film fan. It’s not just about watching the movie; it’s about the search . For the past several weeks, my obsession has been laser-focused on one specific comedic artifact: Jerry Lewis’s 1965 technicolor romp, The Family Jewels .
Here is the log of my treasure hunt. For the uninitiated, The Family Jewels is peak 60s Lewis. He plays seven different roles (including a terrifyingly funny gangster and a dopey photographer). The plot follows a young heiress (Donna Butterworth) who must choose which of her six uncles—all played by Jerry—will be her guardian. Searching for- The Family Jewels 1965 in-All Ca...
But not just any copy. I’ve been searching for its ghost in —the film reels, the broadcast history, and the lost 35mm prints that might still be hiding in a warehouse from Bakersfield to Eureka. There is a special kind of madness that