The Nutty Professor (franchise)

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The Nutty Professor
The Nutty Professor - official franchise logo.jpg
Official franchise logo, as released in 2000
Based onCharacters created by
Jerry Lewis
Release date
1963–present
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget~$146,630,000
(Total of 3 films)
Box office~$459,300,909
(Total of 3 films)[a]

The Nutty Professor franchise consists of American science fiction-slapstick comedies, including three theatrical films, one straight-to-home video release, a musical stage play, and a theatrical reboot in development. Based on an original story by Jerry Lewis, inspired loosely by Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886) by Robert Louis Stevenson, the series comedically includes the basic concepts of psyche including id versus ego. The plot of each installment centers around scientists with genius-level intellect, yet awkward and nerdy social skills. Upon meeting beautiful women, the respective professors develop potions that transforms them into a sophisticated, confident, popular, and attractive alternate personality; albeit villainous personas by nature. In parodying Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the series as a whole explores the importance of self worth.[1][2][3][4]

The original film was a success both critically and financially, and has earned the status of being regarded as a comedy classic.[5][6] Noteworthy for being ranked #99 by the American Film Institute on its 100 Years...100 Laughs list,[7] the National Film Preservation Board inducted the movie into the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry in 2004.[8] A direct-sequel was eventually released in 2008, albeit an animated straight-to-home video release. Lewis reprised his role, though the movie centered around his grandson instead. The film gain little-to-no significant media attention with Common Sense Media providing a 2 out of 5 star rating, and its consensus recommending the original instead.[9] Lewis continued involvement with the franchise as executive producer and the remake film and its sequel, then later served as director of a musical stage production in 2012.[10]

The remake starring Eddie Murphy and released in 1996, was a smash-hit at the box office and attained overall favorable reviews from critics.[11][12] A sequel was released in 2000, to mixed critical reception ranging from good-to-generally unfavorable and negative reviews, and though it fared well financially it was far from the success of its predecessor.[13][14][15]

A reboot is in development, from Project X Entertainment.[16]

Film[]

Film U.S. release date Director(s) Screenwriter(s) Story by Producer(s)
The Nutty Professor June 4, 1963 (1963-06-04) Jerry Lewis Jerry Lewis & Bill Richmond Ernest D. Glucksman and Arthur P. Schmidt
The Nutty Professor June 28, 1996 (1996-06-28) Tom Shadyac David Sheffield & Barry W. Blaustein
and Tom Shadyac & Steve Oedekerk 		Brian Grazer and Russell Simmons
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps July 28, 2000 (2000-07-28) Peter Segal David Sheffield & Barry W. Blaustein
and Paul Weitz & Chris Weitz 		Steve Oedekerk
and David Sheffield & Barry W. Blaustein 		Brian Grazer
The Nutty Professor: Facing the Fear November 25, 2008 (2008-11-25) Logan McPherson
& Paul Taylor 		Evan Spiliotopoulos George Paige and Barbara Zelinski
Untitled reboot TBA TBA TBA TBA James Vanderbilt, William Sherak and Paul Neinstein

The Nutty Professor (1963)[]

Main article: The Nutty Professor (1963 film)

Professor Julius Kelp is a brilliant science teacher, at a university. However, he has a problem with attracting women due to his clumsy, awkward, inarticulate nature. Women deem him as unattractive. Kelp becomes obsessed with impressing a beautiful student named Stella. With his background in chemistry, Kelp decides to develop a potion that will change him into a different person. His new suave alter ego named Buddy Love, is challenged with winning Stella's affections before his short-supply of potion is depleted.[17]

Film historians regard The Nutty Professor as the most memorable film of Lewis’ long career. In 2004, the film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant."[18]

The Nutty Professor (1996)[]

Main article: The Nutty Professor (1996 film)

Brilliant and obese scientist Sherman Klump invents a miraculous weight-loss solution. After a date with chemistry student Carla Purty goes badly, a depressed Klump tries the solution on himself. Upon taking the potion, Klump instantly loses 250 pounds. The side effects, besides becoming physically fit include a second personality who calls himself Buddy Love and is obnoxiously self-assertive, conceited alternate personality. Buddy proves to be more popular than Sherman, but his arrogance and bad behavior quickly spiral out of control. During these series of events, Klump must decide whether he enjoys popularity, or values self-respect.[19]

Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000)[]

Main article: Nutty Professor II: The Klumps

After choosing to love himself, over his popular and assertive alternate personality, Professor Sherman Klump has found love in a beautiful and kind woman named Denise. In preparations for their wedding, his undesired alter-ego named Buddy Love begins taking over. Though Klump has ceased taking his self-improving potion, Love continues to present himself and is determined to stay. After a number of appearances, Klump extracts his alternate personality's genes and decides rid the world of his pesky partner, at the risk of his own psychological decline. A laboratory incident including the accidental combination of the genes with dog hair, result in Buddy Love taking on his own existence outside of Klump's body. Unaware of the Love's new existence, the engaged couple begin to perfect a new rejuvenation formula and their fortune seems assured, until Love appears and steals it. Professor Klump's cognitive abilities continue to decline. In a final effort to defeat Buddy Love, the Professor develops a new and more potent formula that will degenerate the villain back to his state of genetic material. Using Love's canine DNA against him, he defeats him with the use of a tennis ball covered in the new potion. As Klump slips away, Denise helps him drink the genetic matter, restoring his genius intellect and resetting everything back to normal. The pair continue to prepare for their wedding, and are married.[20]

The Nutty Professor: Facing the Fear (2008)[]

Main article: The Nutty Professor (2008 film)

An animated legacy-sequel to the original film, the film follows the workings of Julius Kelp's grandson.

Harold Kelp is an aspiring inventor, who struggles to perfect his experiments. Intimidated by his grandfather's legacy, Harold has dreams of his failure taking the form of a giant monster. After coming into conflict with a group of angry individuals involved in one of his demonstrations, Harold decides to attend a science academy run by his grandfather, Professor Julius Kelp. Upon arriving at the school, Harold meets a beautiful woman named Polly McGreggor, with whom he becomes infatuated. Determined to win her affection, Harold finds and takes his grandfather's secret potion. The elixir unleashes Harold's confident, self-loving alternate personality that calls himself Jack. Though initially popular with the fellow students, Jack's outrageous behavior gets out of control and causes more mischief than Harold had anticipated. Due to Harold's continued time evolving into Jack, his grades begin slipping. Learning of Harold's actions, Julius once again takes the potion to become Buddy Love. In his alternate form as Buddy Love, Julius teaches his grandson to appreciate who he is and to be comfortable in his own skin. Harold's anxieties are accidentally unleashed by one of Professor Kelp's inventions, as the visionary monster from his nightmares. Harold bravely faces his fears, and defeats the creature. In doing so, Harold says goodbye to Jack once and for all before sharing a kiss with Polly.[21]

Reboot[]

In August 2020, it was announced that a reboot of The Nutty Professor franchise was in development. James Vanderbilt, William Sherak and Paul Neinstein serve as producers, while the search for additional talent is ongoing. The movie is under development from Project X Entertainment.[16][22][18]

Main cast and characters[]

List indicator(s)

This section shows characters who will appear or have appeared in more than two films in the series.

  • An empty, dark grey cell indicates the character was not in the film, or that the character's official presence has not yet been confirmed.
  •  V indicates a voice-only role.
Character Film
The Nutty Professor (1963) The Nutty Professor (1996) Nutty Professor ll:
The Klumps 		The Nutty Professor:
Facing the Fear
Julius Kelp
Buddy Love 		Jerry Lewis Jerry LewisV
Stella Purdy-Kelp Stella Stevens
Baby Kelp Jerry Lewis
Mr. Elmer Kelp Howard Morris
Mrs. Edwina Kelp Elvia Allman
Sherman Klump
Buddy Love 		Eddie Murphy Eddie Murphy
Myles Mason
Jeffrey Michael Freeman
Maurice Colquitt
(infant Buddy's)
Kevin Michael Mondane
(15 year-old Buddy)
Papa Cletus Klump Eddie Murphy
Mama Anna Klump
Grandma Ida Mae Jenson
Ernie Klump, Sr.
Ernie Klump, Jr. Jamal Mixon
Jason John Ales
Dean Richmond Larry Miller
Carla Purty Jada Pinkett
Reggie Warrington Dave Chappelle
Harlan Hartley James Coburn
Denise Gaines-Klump Janet Jackson
Petey Klump Frank Welker
Mr. Gaines Richard Gant
Mrs. Gaines Anna Maria Horsford
Harold Kelp
Jack Love 		Drake BellV
Polly McGregor Britt IrvinV

Additional crew and production details[]

Film Crew/Detail
Composer Cinematographer Editor(s) Production
companies 		Distributing
company 		Running time
The Nutty Professor Walter Scharf W. Wallace Kelley John Woodcock Paramount Pictures,
Jerry Lewis Films 		Paramount Pictures 1hr 47mins
The Nutty Professor David Newman Julio Macat Don Zimmerman Imagine Entertainment,
Brian Grazer Productions,
Tom Shadyac Films 		Universal Pictures 1hr 35mins
Nutty Professor II:
The Klumps 		Dean Semler William Kerr Universal Pictures,
Peter Segal Films,
Imagine Entertainment,
Brian Grazer Productions,
Shady Acres Entertainment 		1hr 47mins
The Nutty Professor:
Facing the Fear 		Mike Shields James Boshier & Logan McPherson Kaleidoscope TWC,
Mainframe Entertainment Inc.,
The Weinstein Company 		Genius Products 1hr 15mins
Untitled reboot TBA TBA TBA Planet X Entertainment TBA TBD

Reception[]

For more details on the reception of each film, see the "Reception" section on each film's article.

Box office and financial performance[]

Film Box office gross Box office
ranking
(per release year) 		Budget Ref.
North America Other territories Worldwide All time
worldwide 		North America
The Nutty Professor (1963) $13,343,056 $5,656,944 $19,000,000 #23 not available $7,630,000 [23][24][25][26]
The Nutty Professor (1996) $128,814,019 $145,147,000 $273,961,019 #8 #8 $55,000,000 [27][28]
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps $123,309,890 $43,030,000 $166,339,890 #16 #26 $84,000,000 [29][30]
The Nutty Professor: Facing the Fear video sales/rentals
not available 		video sales/rentals
not available 		video sales/rentals
not available 		not available not available not available
Untitled reboot N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Totals $265,466,965 $193,833,944 $459,300,909 x̅ #11.75[b] x̅ #8.5[c] $146,630,000

Notes[]

  1. ^ These figures are based on the available numbers for the theatrical films. Though there are a total four movies released, there is no financial information publicly available for the animated film.
  2. ^ This is an approximate average, based on the all-time standing of each theatrically released film.
  3. ^ This is an approximate average, based on the all-time standing of each theatrically released film.

Critical and public response[]

Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic CinemaScore
The Nutty Professor (1963) 85% (26 reviews)[citation needed] N/A N/A
The Nutty Professor (1996) 64% (55 reviews)[citation needed] 62/100 (20 reviews)[31] A-[32]
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps 26% (88 reviews)[citation needed] 38/100 (34 reviews)[33] A-[32]
The Nutty Professor II: Facing the Fear N/A N/A N/A
Untitled reboot TBD TBD TBD

Stage[]

A stage adaptation musical on Broadway after it debuted at the Nashville’s Tennessee Performing Arts Center on July 24, 2012. Jerry Lee directed the play, with the script and lyrics written by Rupert Holmes, while Marvin Hamlisch served as composer. Michael Andrew was cast in the lead role as Professor Julius Kelp.[34] Featuring an ensemble cast, the plot closely follows the original film which Lee wrote, directed and starred in. The production received acclaimed reviews for its choreography, while also noting positive reception for its songs, cast, sets, and story.[35]

Novelization[]

The accompanying book written by the author of the musical's stageplay, Rupert Holmes, received praise for its use of comedy as well as for the meaningful underlying message.[36]

References[]

  1. ^ Cohen, Herbert J. (July 5, 2015). "The Nutty Professor (1963), directed by Jerry Lewis". Kosher Movies. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  2. ^ Daniels, Alexandria. "3 Valuable Lessons Learned From 'The Nutty Professor'". Izzy & Liv: Culture.Confidence.Soul. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  3. ^ Mendelson, Scott (June 28, 2016). "20 Years Ago, 'The Nutty Professor' Brought Eddie Murphy Back By Destroying His Edgy Persona". Forbes. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  4. ^ Berardinelli, James (1996). "Nutty Professor, The (United States, 1996): A movie review". Reel Views. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  5. ^ Hoberman, J. (June 12, 2014). "Dino? Ol' Blue Eyes? All the Above, by Jerry". The New York Times. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  6. ^ Lumenick, Lou (June 7, 2014). "Why 'The Nutty Professor' is still a classic after 51 years". New York Post. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  7. ^ "AFI's 100 YEARS...100 LAUGHS: The 100 Funniest American Movies Of All Time". American Film Institute. 2000. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  8. ^ "Complete National Film Registry Listing | Film Registry | National Film Preservation Board | Programs at the Library of Congress | Library of Congress". Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
  9. ^ "The Nutty Professor - Movie Review". Common Sense Media. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  10. ^ NG, David (August 2, 2012). "Jerry Lewis' 'Nutty Professor' musical opens in Nashville". LA Times. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  11. ^ Roger Ebert (June 28, 1996). "The Nutty Professor". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  12. ^ Gleiberman, Owen (June 28, 1996). "The Nutty Professor". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  13. ^ O'Hehir, Andrew (July 28, 2000). "Nutty Professor II: The Klumps". Salon. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  14. ^ Lane, Anthony. The New Yorker, August 7, 2000. The Fat of the Land (subscription required)
  15. ^ Leydon, Joe (July 27, 2000). "The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps". Variety. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  16. ^ Jump up to: a b Kroll, Justin (August 24, 2020). "New 'Nutty Professor' Movie In The Works From Project X's James Vanderbilt, William Sherak and Paul Neinstein". Deadline. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  17. ^ Variety Staff (December 31, 1962). "The Nutty Professor (1962)". Variety. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  18. ^ Jump up to: a b McNary, Dave (August 24, 2020). "'Nutty Professor' Reboot in the Works With 'Scream 5' Producers". Variety. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  19. ^ Variety Staff (December 31, 1995). "The Nutty Professor". Variety. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  20. ^ Leydon, Joe (July 27, 2000). "The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps". Variety. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  21. ^ Herman, Joly (September 20, 2019). "The Nutty Professor Movie Review". Common Sense Media. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  22. ^ Deadline Hollywood (August 24, 2020). "'NUTTY PROFESSOR' REBOOT IN THE WORKS WITH 'SCREAM 5' PRODUCERS". Project X Entertainment. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  23. ^ Box office information for film in France at Box Office story
  24. ^ Dagan, Richard Natale,Carmel; Natale, Richard; Dagan, Carmel (August 20, 2017). "Jerry Lewis, Comedy Legend, Dies at 91".
  25. ^ "Google Translate". translate.google.com.
  26. ^ "Top Rental Films of 1963", Variety, 8 January 1964, pg 37.
  27. ^ "The Nutty Professor (1996) - Financial Information". The Numbers.
  28. ^ "The Nutty Professor". Box Office Mojo.
  29. ^ "Nutty Professor II: The Klumps". Box Office Mojo.
  30. ^ "Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000) - Financial Information". The Numbers.
  31. ^ "The Nutty Professor" – via www.metacritic.com.
  32. ^ Jump up to: a b "Cinemascore :: Movie Title Search". Cinemascore.com. Archived from the original on 2018-12-20.
  33. ^ "Nutty Professor II: The Klumps" – via www.metacritic.com.
  34. ^ Broadway.com Staff (July 24, 2020). "Jerry Lewis' Broadway-Bound Nutty Professor Musical Begins Performances in Nashville". Broadway.com. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  35. ^ Ellis, Jeffrey (August 1, 2012). "BWW Reviews: THE NUTTY PROFESSOR Sets Its Sights on Broadway After Its Music City Opening". Broadway World. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  36. ^ Ruper Holmes (2012). "The Official Rupert Holmes Website & Resource Center". RupertHolmes.com. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
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