The Jerk Movie Review 1979

A jerk tells his rags-to-riches-to-rags story in comedic flashbacks, from "I was born a poor Black child," through his entrepreneurial success in his invention of the "Optigrab," to his inevitable decline. Only film in history with a dog named "Shithead." Martin's first starring role, back in his wild and crazy days; his ridiculous misadventures pay tribute to Jerry Lewis movies of the late '60s. Followed by a TV version released in 1984 as "The Jerk Too," with Mark Blankfield as the Jerk.

Distribution

Universal Studios Home Video, 100 Universal City Plz., Universal City, CA 91608-9955, Phone: (818)777-1000, Fax: (818)866-1483, URL: http://www.universalstudios.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 94 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Slapstick Comedy, Rags to Riches, Stupid Is..., Top Grossing Films of 1979, Director/Star Teams: Reiner & Martin, Birthdays, Carnivals & Circuses, Inventors & Inventions, King of Beasts (Dogs)

Screenplay

Michael Elias, Steve Martin, Carl Gottlieb

Cast

Steve Martin, Bernadette Peters, Catlin Adams, Bill Macy, Jackie Mason, Mabel King, Richard Ward, M. Emmet Walsh, Dick O'Neill, Maurice Evans, Pepe Serna, Trinidad Silva, Carl Gottlieb

Cinematography

Victor Kemper

Director

Carl Reiner

Music

Jack Elliott

Other

Carl Reiner, Rob Reiner

Producer

William E. McEuen, David Picker