Photoplay (Jul-Dec 1958)

‘The money you got for performing at the Cafe de Paris, Jerry.” “But I haven’t performed there yet,” Jerry said, “and I’m not getting paid. I’m doing two shows tonight for free as a favor to my old friend Lou Walters. It’s his place. He had a heart attack.” “Don’t kid me. I know you were there a coupla weeks ago. Me and the missus always read the columns.” “Stop! Cease. Desist,” Jerry interrupted. “I’m Jerry Lewis. You’re talking about Jerry Lee Lewis.” The cab stopped at the Cafe de Paris and Jerry got out. “See what I mean?” rT^hat night we met Jerry in the hall of 1 his club and went with him to his dressing room. “Haven’t had time to get my stuff in here before this,” he said, turning on the lights. “I’ve been busy . . . Yow! He’s here. He’s here!” There, against the wall, was a life-size cardboard cut-out figure of Jerry Lee Lewis. “Get him out of here. I’m surrounded by assassins.” Jerry Lee, left over from two weeks before, was removed. Then Jerry went out to face the audience of more than a thousand who had crowded into the first show. His opening line was: “My name is Jerry Lewis; I have no middle name; I’m married to an adult.” It was the same thing he had said that morning to the president of the Brooklyn Jerry Lewis Fan Club. But this time the line got a laugh. After the show, a girl approached our table with her father. She was obviously out later than she should be; her dad apologetically muttered something about “celebrating her graduation from junior high school.” But she was focusing all her attention on Jerry. “Oh, Mr. Lewis,” she said. “Would you sign an autograph for me? Here. On the menu. Just say, ‘With love to Claire Williams.’ Gee! Thanks. I’m crazy about your records — ‘Crazy Arms!’ ‘High School Rock’ and all the rest. You’re the most!” “ — Wait!” yelled Jerry. But she was gone. With a despairing look, he drummed his fingers on the back of the chair. “Well,” he finally said, “I hope she reads the October issue of Photoplay.” “I hope so, too,” I answered, and got up to leave, telling him we’d keep after it. Here then, Jerry Lewis, is my report. Here’s the ending to our story: In Ferriday, Louisiana, I talked to Jerry Lee’s mother, Mary Ethel Herron Lewis, who told me that Jerry Lee had been born in Ferriday on September 30, 1935. “Jerry Lee Lewis is the name we gave him on his birth certificate,” she answered me. “I gave him the name Jerry, and his pa, Elmo, gave him the name Lee. I named him Jerry after a silent-picture movie star — I can’t remember his last name now — who I was crazy about before I married Elmo. Elmo named him Lee after Jerry’s uncle, Lee Calhoun, the richest man in Ferriday.” That was that, or was it? You had wanted to see Jerry Lee in person. That was the next step. I had to see Jerry Lee himself. In Memphis, I tracked him down. Jer, you would have been proud of me. But you wouldn’t have liked what Jerry Lee had to say. “I went by the name Jerry Lewis until I started making records,” he said. “Then, to avoid confusion with that other Jerry Lewis, I started using my middle name, Lee. Man, I certainly don’t want people to mix me up with that cat!” Where now? To New Orleans, of course, where all Louisiana births are on file. And there I’ve found it — the answer for Photoplay and you. Jerry Lee Lewis is Jerry Lee Lewis. There’s no fooling the government, Jer. There in black and white! “Name . . . JERRY LEE LEWIS.” —JIM HOFFMAN. NEW PICTURE-PACKED AEBUM NOW READY FOR YOU Just as the new season gets under way, the editors of TV RADIO MIRROR have produced a beautiful picture album for you. Here are exciting pictures of the new shows and the new stars. Here also are gorgeous pictures of your all-time favorites in new roles. Mind you, each picture in this wonderful Album is a gem. In fact, the full-page portraits are so beautiful that you will want to cut them out and frame them. In addition, this Album tells you about the latest engagements and marriages. For the latest pictures of every famous radio and television personality rush to your favorite magazine counter and get your copy of TV-RADIO ALBUM. Only 50^, while they last. 1958 EDITION ON SALE NOW AT ALL NEWSSTANDS Get your copy of this exciting Album at your favorite magazine counter — now. Or, if more convenient, mail coupon with 50 0 today. I | Bartholomew House, Inc., Dept. WG-1058 1 205 East 42 St., New York 17, N. Y. | Send me TV-RADIO ALBUM 1958. I enclose 500. j Name I Please Print Street City State