The title, "The Disorderly Orderly" pretty much tells you what this Jerry Lewis film is about. Jerome Littlefield (Lewis) is kicked out of medical school because he empathizes with patients ailments making it impossible for him to treat them. He goes to work as an orderly at a sanitarium headed by Dr. Jean Howard (Glenda Farrell) who just happens to have been interested in Jerome's father, a successful doctor, in her youth.
A frustrated head nurse Maggie Hayes (the marvelous Kathleen Freeman) tries to help Jerome in the performance of his duties much to her chagrin. Nurse Julie Blair (Karen Sharpe) is Jerome's love interest. A young woman, Susan Andrews (Susan Oliver) who is despondent and had attempted suicide is admitted to the sanitarium. It seems that Jerome has had a long standing crush on Suisan dating back to their high school days where she was the Prom Queen.
Jerome visits Susan's room on the sly leaving her flowers and an anonymous note. Chairman of the Board Mr. Tuffington (Everett Sloane) insists that all patients must pay for their stays at the sanitarium. Because Susan is unable to pay, Jerome anonymously pays her bill. Julie becomes worried that Jerome is drifting away from her. When Susan recovers................................
Jerry has time for his usual hi jinks in addition to the serious stuff. Some highlights include:
- the arrival of "Fat Jack" (Jack E. Leonard) for a "rest";
- Jerry unleashing a snow storm in Barbara Nichols room while fixing her TV set:
- the bandaged patient rolling down a hill and breaking into pieces; and
- the wild chase sequence a-la Keystone cops where Everett Sloan is careening all over the streets on a stretcher.
Jerry's stock company is well represented in this film. In addition to Freeman who steals every scene she's in, Del Moore plays psychiatrist Dr. Davenport, Milton Frome is a board member, and Benny Rubin plays a waiter. Alice Pearce is good as the hypochondriac Mrs. Fuzzibee who describes all of her ailments to a queezy Jerome.
Imagine having the choice between the beautiful Susan Oliver and the winsome Karen Sharpe. Boy some guys have all the luck..
A frustrated head nurse Maggie Hayes (the marvelous Kathleen Freeman) tries to help Jerome in the performance of his duties much to her chagrin. Nurse Julie Blair (Karen Sharpe) is Jerome's love interest. A young woman, Susan Andrews (Susan Oliver) who is despondent and had attempted suicide is admitted to the sanitarium. It seems that Jerome has had a long standing crush on Suisan dating back to their high school days where she was the Prom Queen.
Jerome visits Susan's room on the sly leaving her flowers and an anonymous note. Chairman of the Board Mr. Tuffington (Everett Sloane) insists that all patients must pay for their stays at the sanitarium. Because Susan is unable to pay, Jerome anonymously pays her bill. Julie becomes worried that Jerome is drifting away from her. When Susan recovers................................
Jerry has time for his usual hi jinks in addition to the serious stuff. Some highlights include:
- the arrival of "Fat Jack" (Jack E. Leonard) for a "rest";
- Jerry unleashing a snow storm in Barbara Nichols room while fixing her TV set:
- the bandaged patient rolling down a hill and breaking into pieces; and
- the wild chase sequence a-la Keystone cops where Everett Sloan is careening all over the streets on a stretcher.
Jerry's stock company is well represented in this film. In addition to Freeman who steals every scene she's in, Del Moore plays psychiatrist Dr. Davenport, Milton Frome is a board member, and Benny Rubin plays a waiter. Alice Pearce is good as the hypochondriac Mrs. Fuzzibee who describes all of her ailments to a queezy Jerome.
Imagine having the choice between the beautiful Susan Oliver and the winsome Karen Sharpe. Boy some guys have all the luck..