After playing an astronaut, a mad scientist and other challenging roles in the 1950's and 1960's, what was left for comedian Jerry Lewis to do? Sadly, this rarely-released movie proved sufficient for the aging star, as he finally committed to what he termed "my first serious film". Quite simply, a premise which concerns the gassing of Jewish children requires a sophisticated and subtle direction to succeed. Unfortunately, the audience receives exactly the opposite perspective.
Basically, Jerry Lewis plays the role of a Nazi Clown who works at Auschwitz, entertaining jewish children just before they are to be gassed. Apparently the point of the film is to establish a certain Emotional bond and conflictual problem between the joy of 'clowning' and the role that the Nazis have for him. Unfortunately it comes out as a poorly-edited and particularly tasteless WWII drama - with the predefined role of Jerry as a comedian not helping matters in the very least.
To fully understand the rationale behind this film, you have first to accept the comments made by Jerry Lewis himself - "It is he [the clown] who is assigned to try to keep the kids in the camp happy - and it is he, in the end, who is expected to lead the children - into the ovens". Sensitive? Go figure.
Basically, Jerry Lewis plays the role of a Nazi Clown who works at Auschwitz, entertaining jewish children just before they are to be gassed. Apparently the point of the film is to establish a certain Emotional bond and conflictual problem between the joy of 'clowning' and the role that the Nazis have for him. Unfortunately it comes out as a poorly-edited and particularly tasteless WWII drama - with the predefined role of Jerry as a comedian not helping matters in the very least.
To fully understand the rationale behind this film, you have first to accept the comments made by Jerry Lewis himself - "It is he [the clown] who is assigned to try to keep the kids in the camp happy - and it is he, in the end, who is expected to lead the children - into the ovens". Sensitive? Go figure.