moonspinner55 Somewhat strenuous farce has Jerry Lewis exhausting himself both on-screen and off, portraying seven different characters while also serving as producer, director and co-writer (with Bill Richmond) of an extremely thin screenplay about a 10-year-old heiress and her search for a daddy. The tyke, worth $30,000,000 after being left orphaned, must choose one of her five uncles to act as her legal guardian--though she gets along best with her accident-prone chauffeur. Lewis is best in his 'straight' role opposite unassuming little Donna Butterworth, but the other acting opportunities are a bust due to Lewis' penchant for self-adoration (also the fault of the editor, who doesn't know when to cut off a scene). The plot is so slim, Lewis has to throw in added unrelated episodes (such as the chauffeur having to briefly manage a busy gas station) just to pad the running time to 99 minutes. Pete King's bouncy score adds a touch of fun, but the plugs for Gary Lewis (Jerry's musician son) are unnecessary and the constant hamming and mugging is often painful to witness. *1/2 from ****

ING123 I've rated this movie a ten - why? For one it's fun to watch - teaches a great lesson when having kids watch with you. Jerry Lewis was a great father and was always good with kids! The acting, slap stick isn't quite up today's standards of 'horror' 'bloodshed' or 'sex' but it's so much better than any of them on the big screen. One you don't have to worry about a scene slipped in or words you don't use and don't care to hear in public or private. This movie came out as I was returning from Africa for my final duty station in the US. When I went to the Far East in 1963 - we appeared to have a sane country - when I came back it was to nudity, sexual gradification, drugs and race riots. Then going to Africa - if possible the society got worse - aiding and abetting the enemy by protests which even today make a pale comparison to some. Jerry Lewis was an exception to this - reminding us of values and morals. chuck

Etherial_2000 My friends and I laughed so hard. Even at age 10 I thought the movie was totally funny and engaging. Jerry Lewis was my favorite comic back then and I also liked the child actress Donna Butterworth. She and Jerry had chemistry. I loved the characters and I remember Sabastian Cabot trying to squeeze into or out of a car; too funny.Whatever happened to Donna Butterworth? She acted in an Elvis movie and that was it for her. If anyone knows, let me know.

Mister-6 I'll give Lewis credit: even though this one isn't on par with the uproarious stuff he and Dean Martin did or even with "The Disorderly Orderly" or "The Nutty Professor", "The Family Jewels" shows Lewis doing what he does best.Running amok.Playing no less than seven characters here, Lewis changes costumes, accents and venues but stays just as addled in all of them. This time, he plays a chauffeur who takes care of a little girl (Butterworth, a novice here and since) and shuttles her between six brothers (all Lewis again) who vie to be guardian of her and the millions of dollars she will inherit.Of course, it's interesting to see that he brings back (in shape only) his character from "The Nutty Professor". Good to see him.And only Lewis could make a slapstick free-for-all in which Anne Baxter makes a cameo.It's good, nutty fun for all and definitely a better choice than his later work. "The Family Jewels" - definitely a "Jewel" in the rough.Eight stars.