Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin: The Early Years Quiz

Answer: Joseph Levitch

Jerry was born on March 16, 1926 to Rae and Danny Levitch in Newark, New Jersey. His parents were entertainers, and they went by the stage name of Lewis. His father, Danny, who was a veteran of Vaudville, was also considered by most to be the total enterainer.

His mother, Rae, accompanied his father with her piano playing and was Danny's musical director. As a young boy, Jerry was a precocious child and always wanted to be the center of attention, because he felt that he was missing the love and affection of his father, whom he idolized. According to the Lewis archives, nothing that Jerry did pleased his father, and it was, according to Jerry "the single reason why I wanted to succeed in show business". Jerry would prove that he had a raw talent, but he still lacked self-assurance and the approval from his father that he so desperately craved.

Answer: Dino Crocetti

Born on June 7, 1917 to the proud parents of Gaetano and Angela Crocetti, Dino was the youngest child. The Crocetti family lived at 319 South Sixth Street in Steubenville, Ohio. Dino was a very laid back child and did not maintain an extended interest in any one thing for any length of time.

He loved to sing and dance and to be the center of attention, but he craved a love that was far greater than he could ever understand. William and Dino attended the Grant Elementary School in Steubenville, while William was a conscientious student, Dino was carefree and did not care too much for the social structure that attending school would bring about.

However, the one thing that Dino excelled in was vocal lessons and intrument training that was given in school. Both Crocetti boys were part of the Boy Scouts, but Dino was not in the affiliation to earn merit badges and pennants, he longed to be the center of attention and by joining the Boy Scout chapter in his area, he pushed his talents and obsession for being noticed out front more and more. Dino joined the band that the chapter had formed, and played the drums. With his boyish charm and natural stage presence, he was a crowd pleaser anytime that the band performed.

But still, Dino was not happy with what he thought was a small amount of appreciation, he wanted more. Little did he or his parents know, that the boy from Steubenville would become a world famous entertainer.

Answer: "Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?"

When Jerry stepped on stage to perform "Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?", he was overwhelmed by how the audience reacted to the other performers prior to him. That was exactly the attention that he craved, and by the time 1941 rolled around, he had perfected his 'Record Act', in which he would lip-sync musical lyrics, complete with a comedy act that required him to make funny faces and run around the stage.

The audience loved it, but his ego required more attention. Max Coleman, a veteran burlesque comedian, and also a close friend of Danny Lewis, advised the younger Lewis to continue his mime act.

He had a steady stream of work in burlesque shows throughout Buffalo, New York. However, working in this type of environment did not prove to be Lewis' 'big' break.

But he kept up his 'Record Act' and Mime show, and the audience seemed to take to the talented young man. Lewis found his niche during a performance in Loch Sheldrake, New York at Brown's Hotel. Lewis was unaware that crooner, Dean Martin was in the audience, and was taken with Lewis' performance. Lewis was fast becoming a hot commodity, and bookings became more frequent. Irving Kaye helped Lewis get a booking in Atlantic City, New Jersey at the 500 Club. Unbeknownest to Lewis and Kaye, Dean Martin was scheduled to appear at the club as well. Lewis had caught Martin's act numerous times and desperately wanted Martin as a sidekick. According to all that has been written about Lewis and Martin, Martin's associate was unable to appear at the 500 Club with him, and he needed someone to help him with his act.

He remembered Lewis, and asked him to help him out, thus starting the sensation that would be known as Martin and Lewis. Martin was on a downslide with is career, and once both men teamed together their salaries skyrocketed from a mere $250 per week to a whopping $5,000 per week.

Answer: Kid Crochet

After quitting high school, Dino held various jobs such as store clerk, shoe shine boy, gas station attendant, steel mill worker, and a store clerk. He even boxed for a time in the amateur division under the name 'Kid Crochet', because it paid ten dollars and sometimes up to twenty-five dollars per match, it was more money than he would have earned at the other jobs that he worked.

The Great Depression was in full swing and Dino found that the need for amateur boxers was limited. So he started delivering illegal liquor and lottery tickets across state lines.

He began frequenting the local gambling places, and watching the entertainers, he felt that this was something that he wanted to do, entertain. In August of 1934, while with a few of his friends at one of these gambling establishments, he was urged onto the stage to sing, and as most Martin historians believe the rest is history.

It appeared that Dino had found his calling. The direct quote in the question can be found at deanmartinfancenter.com.

Answer: "My Friend Irma"

In 1948, Martin and Lewis headed to Hollywood, California with the promise of a film contract with movie producer, Hal Wallis. Their first film "My Friend Irma", brought rave reviews, and according to Bosley Crowther of the 'New York Times', "We could go along with the laughs which were fetched by a new mad comedian, Jerry Lewis by name.

This freakishly built and acting young man, who has been seen in nightclubs hereabouts with a collar-ad partner, Dean Martin, has a genuine comic quality. The swift eccentricity of his movements, the harrowing features of his face, and the squeak of his vocal protestations... have flair.

His idiocy constitutes the burlesque of an idiot, which is something else again. He's the funniest thing in the picture". From all that has been written about these two talented men, most people considered Lewis to be the star of the comedy act that they performed. Martin's laid back attitude allowed Lewis to overact and become severely jealous of Martin's talent for singing, something which Jerry did not have the voice to do. For ten years Martin and Lewis became the most sought after comedy act between the West and East coasts, they were also the highest paid talents of their time. For ten years they appeared together in sixteen films, nightclub performances, and numerous personal appearances.

They also had radio and television appearances, not to mention recording sessions. In 1956, the duo had numerous disagreements concerning Jerry's attitude. Jerry, who most believe was still not secure in his ablities and talents, was still very much jealous of Dean, and many believed that Jerry's jealousy caused most of the friction the duo suffered from. During the filming of the 1956 film, "Hollywood or Bust", Martin realized that he could no longer put up with Lewis' antics and wanted to dissolve the partnership. On July 25, 1956, exactly ten years to the day that the duo became a team, they ended the partnership right where it had started, in New York, but at the Copacabana. They peformed for a sold out crowd. It would be twenty years before the pair would speak again. The direct quote can be found at jerrylewiscomedy.com.

Answer: Ernie McKay Band

While performing at the State Restaurant in 1937, word of Dino's remarkable voice found its way to the ears of Sammy Watkins. Watkins immediately set out to see for himself just how remarkable Dino was, and he immeditately signed the young man to appear around Cleveland as his featured vocalist. Dino took Cleveland by storm, the audience loved him, and females adored him.

In November of 1940, Dino Crocetti officially changed his name to Dean Martin and Steubenville would one day honor its favorite son.

Answer: True

It appears that after the split between Martin and himself, Lewis turned more towards work behind the camera. After splitting from Martin, Lewis starred in numerous films, and learned the skills necessary for creating the types of films he could only hope to appear in.

In 1959, with assistance from Paramount Studios, Lewis formed his own production company, Jerry Lewis Productions. Lewis is the only actor, director and producer to ever negoiate a contract for $10,000,000 with a major production studio. Lewis would receive sixty percent profits for seven films that he was signed to make for Paramount Studios. Jerry was a huge hit with the European audiences and was a major contributor of highly developed films. Lewis was nominated a record eight times for Best Director In Europe and won the coveted award eight years in a row. Lewis is the only actor, director and producer to achieve this award.

While other producers were putting out films that held little or no moral value, Lewis was making a name for himself in Europe.

Answer: False

Dean was signed to an exclusive contract with MCA, so that he could perform at the Riobamba Room in New York. Dean's vocal representation came, after the discovery of Frank Sinatra, and Dean had the voice and had the olive good looks, some said he was Sinatra personified.

In 1944, he landed his own radio program entitled "Songs By Dean Martin", it was a fifteen minute program broadcasted from New York, in which Dean performed four to five songs, his voice reached millions of New Yorkers and they could not seem to get enough of him.

In 1946, Dean formed his alliance with Jerry Lewis. Lewis wrote most of the antics that the duo would perform. While Dean was content letting things roll at their own will, Lewis wanted to become famous and quick. According to Martin historians, most believe that Lewis was jealous of the natural good looks that Martin possessed.

The partnership lasted for ten years and during that time, many people witnessed tantrums and line stealing by Lewis. Martin took all of it in stride and held his temper in check.

However, while filming "Hollywood Or Bust" with Lewis, it became apparent that Lewis thought he was the lead talent. Dean finally had his fill of Lewis' antics and declared loud enough for all to hear that he wanted out. It would take a full year for the partnership to fully dissolve, and they had commitments on both the West and East coasts that they had to fulfill first. On July 25, 1956, ten years after they paired up, the duo called it quits, they gave their farewell performance to a sold out crowd at the Copacabana in New York. The famous duo of Martin and Lewis had come to a close, and both men would have full successfull lives in the entertainment business.

Answer: Nobel Peace Prize

In 1977, when it came time to nominate Jerry Lewis for the Nobel Peace Prize, Congressman Les Aspin of Wisconsin made this statement, "Jerry Lewis is a man for all seasons, all people, all times. His name has, in the hearts of millions, become synonymous with peace, love and brotherhood." Although Jerry did not receive the Nobel Peace Prize, which went to Amnesty International, he was honored just to be nominated and was happy that he was recognized for his devoted work with children.

In 1984, Lewis was honored with a nomination of the French Legion of Honor Award, which he won.

The highly coveted award was originally founded on May 19, 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte. The award was meant to honor men and women who fought and served during war and peace efforts, however, after the death of Bonaparte, it was converted to an award which is revered by many people of all walks of life for humanatarian efforts in their lifetime.

It was the acceptance that Lewis needed to make his life complete. Jerry Lewis is a wonderful actor, humanatarian, director, producer and all around great guy.

Many could not achieve the success that has been bestowed upon him, and throughout the years he has proven that he is what the Hollywood dream is all about. The direct quote can be found at jerrylewiscomedy.com

Answer: $283,000 per episode

Martin's good looks and smooth voice were an instant hit with the television audience. He is the first entertainer to receive such a large salary for each episode. He performed off and on throughout the 1970's in Las Vegas. Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis had not spoken to each other for twenty years when Ed McMahon asked Martin to appear on Lewis' yearly telethon in 1976.

When Dean Martin was introduced, he was given a standing ovation, and Lewis proclaimed, 'Here is my best friend'. Martin donated 1.5 million dollars to Jerry's Kids, and proved that above all he was a man with charisma and grace. All of the information contained in this quiz can be found at jerrylewiscomedy.com and deanmartinfanscenter.com