Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Jerry Lewis, Sebastian Cabot, Donna Butterworth, Gene Baylos, Neil Hamilton ... see more see more... , Jay Adler , Milton Frome , Robert Strauss , Herbie Faye , Marjorie Bennett , Frances Lax , Ellen Corby , Renie Riano , Jesslyn Fax , Gary Lewis & the Playboys , John Hubbard , Maurice Kelly , Michael Ross , Francine York , John Macchia , Douglas Deane , John Lawrence

As if one Jerry Lewis wasn't enough, The Family Jewels offers no fewer than seven Jerrys. Fans of Lewis will like the film. Others should be advised to steer clear of any and all French film festivals... read more read more.... The plot revolves around nine-year-old Donna Peyton (Donna Butterworth), who stands to inherit 30 million dollars. The catch: Donna must pick a new daddy from her late father's six closest male relatives. Lewis spends most of the film playing family chauffeur Willard Woodward, whom Donna loves above all others. He also portrays snaggle-toothed gangster "Bugs" Peyton, hirsute sea captain James Peyton, flying fool Captain Eddie Peyton, cynical clown Everett Peyton, Holmes-like detective Skylock Peyton (whose "Dr. Matson" is corpulent Sebastian Cabot), and photographer Julius Peyton (a reprise of Lewis' Nutty Professor character Julius Kelp). Though fitfully amusing, The Family Jewels is too sloppily put together to completely satisfy anyone other than Lewis' most fervent fans. Best bits: the in-flight movie starring Anne Baxter, the marathon pool game, and Bugs Peyton's outrage at being called a rat fink. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

71% liked it

1,771 ratings

Critics

80% liked it

5 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 40 min.

Directed by: Jerry Lewis

Release Date: July 1, 1965

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: May 8, 2007

Get It:

Stats: 78 reviews

Your Rating



clear rating

Flixster Reviews (78)


  • May 10, 2008
    While I missed the usual pairing of Lewis & Martin - this film is certainly one of Lewis's best solo performances as he plays multiple characters. Quite entertaining.
  • March 13, 2007
    Very funny movie. Jerry Lewis is extremely good and funny. He plays several different parts in this movie and really plays the characters very well.
  • March 2, 2007
    This one was one of my favorite ones! I have this one! I could watch it over and over! I love Jerry Lewis, he is awsome! Very Very Funny

Critic Reviews


Richard Brody
May 21, 2012
Richard Brody, New Yorker

Lewis makes the camera a prism to break out the divergent, and even conflicting, strands of his own character. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
July 25, 2007
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Since I find one Jerry Lewis too much, seven of them was way too much for me to handle. Full Review

Steve Crum
June 29, 2005
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com

Jerry Lewis romp that gives him multiple characters for laughs.

Eric Henderson
October 19, 2004
Eric Henderson, Slant Magazine

With The Family Jewels, Lewis seems more willing than ever to acknowledge his own hostility towards being dismissed as a kids' entertainer. Full Review

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Bosley Crowther
May 9, 2005
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
June 14, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

January 26, 2006
Time Out

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

More Like This


Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Hot Lead and Cold Feet
    Hot Lead and Cold Feet (0%)

Facts


No facts approved yet. Be the first

The Family Jewels : Watch Free on TV


The Family Jewels Trivia


  • Which movie has this tagline : " First he Fought for the Crown. Now he's Fighting for the Family Jewels "  Answer »
  • What movie carries the tagline "First, he fought for the Crown. Now he's fighting for the Family Jewels"?  Answer »
  • In the Film "The Family Jewels," Jerry Lewis played how many parts?  Answer »
  • In what movie did Jerry Lewis play 7 roles in?  Answer »

Movie Quizzes


No quizzes for The Family Jewels. Want to create one?

Video Clips


No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Recent News


No recent headlines. Got one?

Most Popular Skin


No skins yet. Interested in creating one?