Watch The Geisha Boy

The Geisha Boy is a 1958 comedy directed by and starring Jerry Lewis. The film follows Lewis as Gilbert Wooley, a magician struggling to gain fame and fortune in the entertainment industry. After a mishap during a USO tour for the American military in Japan, Wooley finds himself stuck with a young Japanese boy named Mitsuo who speaks no English. As they travel together, Gilbert teaches Mitsuo some magic tricks, including how to levitate objects, and the two become close friends.

Throughout the film, Wooley faces numerous challenges, including a greedy agent who wants to exploit Mitsuo's talent and a jealous rival magician who tries to sabotage Wooley's career. Despite these obstacles, Wooley perseveres and eventually becomes a successful performer with Mitsuo by his side.

One of the film's major themes is cultural clash, as Wooley struggles to communicate and understand the Japanese culture while Mitsuo tries to navigate American culture. This leads to many misunderstandings and humorous situations, such as when Gilbert takes Mitsuo to a baseball game, and Mitsuo assumes that the players are trying to kill each other.

The Geisha Boy also explores the bond between Wooley and Mitsuo, which becomes quite touching as the film progresses. Wooley initially sees Mitsuo as a burden but ultimately becomes a father figure to him, showing both the ups and downs of being a caregiver. The film also deals with loss and grief, as both Wooley and Mitsuo have emotional moments reflecting on their respective pasts.

In addition to Lewis, the cast features notable performances by Marie McDonald as Lola Livingston, a glamorous actress who Wooley falls for, and Sessue Hayakawa as Kono, Mitsuo's guardian who disapproves of his involvement with Wooley. Hayakawa, a Japanese actor who rose to prominence in Hollywood in the early 20th century, adds authenticity to the film's portrayal of Japanese culture.

One of the highlights of The Geisha Boy is Lewis's physical comedy, which is a trademark of his work. Whether he's accidentally setting off fireworks, getting tangled up in a tuba, or slipping on a banana peel, Lewis's antics are sure to leave audiences in stitches. The film also features some impressive magic tricks, which were performed by Lewis himself.

Overall, The Geisha Boy is a charming comedy with heartwarming performances from its cast. It combines elements of slapstick humor, drama, and cultural commentary to create a film that entertains and resonates with audiences. Jerry Lewis shines both in front of and behind the camera, showcasing his talents as a director and performer.

The Geisha Boy is a 1958 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.