The Delicate Delinquent


The Delicate Delinquent is a 1957 American comedy film starring Jerry Lewis. Shot in black-and-white and VistaVision in 1956 and released on June 6, 1957 by Paramount Pictures. It was the first film to star Lewis without his longtime partner Dean Martin. This film was Lewis's film producing and screenwriting debut.

Plot

Sidney L. Pythias, a janitor, is mistaken for a gang member and arrested along with three so-called "juvenile delinquents," Artie, Monk, and Harry.
Police officer Mike Damon believes he can help a wayward youth just as a cop once did for him. He is given a month by Captain Riley to set a boy right, provided he allow socialite and civic do-gooder Martha Henshaw assist him in the effort.
Sidney's secret ambition is to be a policeman. He also wants to impress Patricia, a student nurse who lives in his building, by making something of himself. Mike and Martha bicker while working with Sidney, who is permitted to attend the police academy, over the objections of his "friends" Artie, Monk and Harry.
Artie is accidentally shot by a gun in Sidney's possession, endangering his future with the police force, but it turns out Monk is responsible. Cleared of all blame, Sidney becomes a cop, determined to set a good example for youths like himself, while Mike and Martha fall in love.

Cast

The cost of the film was a little under $500,000, and it grossed about $6 million.

Re-release

It was re-released in 1962 on a double bill with another Lewis film, The Sad Sack.

Home media

The DVD was released on October 12, 2004.