This is one of my favorite movies & my favorite one with De Niro. He just shines here. I know Scorsese originally wanted Johnny Carson to play Rupert, but he turned it down and I'm glad, because Jerry Lewis was the perfect person to play this Carson-like character.
What a riveting scene from a terrific movie. I felt so bad for Rita, watching her change from an excited starstruck girl to a helpless intruder when she slowly realizes she's not invited. And all the while Rupert never stops pushing, even way past when it's appropriate lol
One of my favorite movies, my pals in NY spotted my second husband as Rupert Pupkin. I saw this in the cinema when it came out. In TAXI DRIVER my second husband's porno writings were in the open men's magazine shown by the wife of De Niro at that time. My second husband was thrilled but I was shocked.
This is one of my favorite scenes of this movie, It's funny and painful to watch. It shows how really disturbed Rupert is barging into Jerry's home like he is his best friend.
Robert De Niro used anti-Semitic remarks to anger Jerry Lewis while filming this scene. Lewis, who had never worked with method actors, was shocked and appalled, but deliveres an extremely credible performance. -imdb
de niro looks incredibly young here, i know he was 39 but the extra fat from raging bull makes him look younger that he did in mean streets and bang the drum.
The More I watch this movie, the more I get out of it. Did Rupert bring Rita to impress her? Or was he kind of using her, to help smooth things out during the meeting with Jerry? You can tell that her presence effects Jerry. He seems so pissed, but when he sees Rita, he seems to restrain himself a lot. The presence of a pretty woman always changes the dynamic between men. It didn't work, but Rupert is still a pretty shrewd guy. Jerry Lewis is excellent in this movie!
I like the fact that Rita steals a personal item from Jerry. Until that exact moment, Rita is the most morally upright and mentally stable character in the film. But even Rita can't resist the obsession with fame and her chance to own a tiny piece of a celebrity. Rupert, completely embarrasses himself, like a nut job, yet Rita isn't that much different. She just hides it a lot better. It's a very subtle way of saying that even the best of us has a bit of Ruper Pupkin in us.
I've always believed the butler got stuck at opening the door, and J Lewis being the great comedian/performer he is, improvised on it with the "would you open the g--damn door"
I saw Kim Chan (butler) walk into a Radio Shack I was working at in the Bronx in 1988. He came up to the counter and I said to him: "Mr. Langford I have heart attack". He then laughed, repeated the line and said "Oh yeah, that was funny".
I wonder if by the end when Jerry passes the TV sets in the windows and sees Rupert wrapping up his act , if he realises that Rupert actually might had done a good job (which he did) in the first place. And maybe he could've saved himself the trouble by booking him on the show. (Of course, he had every right not to)
on the surface this is a film about obsession with fame, but on a deeper level its about the fallacy of ambition. So many of us want to make it to the top, but the fact is few of us will. One can argue that life is about accepting our limitations and moving on. Rupert is unable to do that and his life ends in tragedy.
I'm on the side of that the ending wasnt one of ruperts fantasies. I see the ending of Scorcese's way of criticizing the entertainment industry, the way it takes some creep, some of whom have achieved fame through some brief undeserved noteriety (instead of working hard for it), and rewards him with a tv show, book deals, and/or parts in movies instead of shunning the guy as they should. Look at the criminals who get book deals, tv show appearances, etc
Actually his life never ends- and because of the success of his monologue, we can only suppose that Pupkin triumphs. All we see in this excellent film is the foibles of celebrity worship as a way of overcoming insecurity. We embrace and join in on the way that everyone in Scorsese's finest film sees Rupert; yet, in the end, we see that in this world it's really all about what's inside. It is totally believable that his madness should prosper. If anything they should have listened to his tape.
@MisterLyndon ...yes, one could argue that. But one could argue (and win) the idea that the opposite, going way beyond your limitations (having the mind game down first) will and has produced miracles beyond mans wildest expectations. Why do you think athletes ALWAYS end up coming back from retirement? Because their mind WON'T accept their physical limits. Let the world tell you by their lack of interest, NOT by their anger - before you EVER tell yourself you can't do it.
@MisterLyndon Lol your comment no offence has come from the mindset of someone who gives up.
I must disagree wth you with all respect. THis film on a deeper level is about a guy who does make it at the end, a guy who knows he will make it a guy who feels it and a guy who never gives up. He makes it whatever he has to do... Who said that there is a certain way, a fixed way to make it? He was already famous in his head and so he skipped 20 years of bottom feeding and went straight to the top
@archangul ...and all the while having a fantastic and adventurous journey. This is wonderful. think about it. Imagine when u die and u look back in ur life i guarantee rupert's spirit will be so joyful about his ride while those who were too scared and to convinced by social conditioning that they weren't worth it, will look back and say "damn i forgot who i was. I forgot the ride. I gotta go back and hopefully i'll remember that i can do anything this time around" - By me, a genius born
@archangul You do realize the ending is all in this head?. If Rupert were sensible, he'd settle for a modest goal such as doing stand-up at small club. If this didn't work he could've found something else to be passionate about. Many take the Rupert route ...they'll bus tables well into their 40s, convinced that just one day, they'll make it on Broadway or publish that novel. Fear of compromise runs deep in our nation's pathos (USA, we ARE #1!). This movie exposes this often suppressed emotion.
thanks to others for flagging up 1.53, as Rupert's veneer of confidence starts to slip. One of the most original movies ever made - it could have been too unbelievable but in the hands of Scorsese, De Niro and the genius casting of Jerry Lewis, it's a masterpiece.
They wanted Johnny Carson to play the host that was kidnapped originally, but they thought people might get ideas..about kidnapping Carson. So they picked Jerry Lewis and names him Jerry Lawford.
I LOVE the way Rupert makes himself at home right in front of Jerry:
Rupert (heading to the drinks cart): What's your pleasure, Jerry? It's kind of hot out there, I want to get something nice to drink. Jerry, what would you like?
I read this. Robert De Niro wanted to make sure Jerry's rage was genuine so he spouted off for weeks before the shoot saying that..."jews had turned the world into garbage for 5000 years..." It's obvious by Jerry's intense performance that it worked though De Niro never meant it. Two excellent actors in a Scorsese film that sould have won some oscars. Jerry's best seroius performance. And they originally wanted Johnny Carson for this role.
You read correctly, plus a lot of this scene was improvised. When they wrapped this scene Lewis supposedly said to DeNiro, "I never want to work with you (or see you) again!" because he was so upset with DeNiro's remarks beforehand. But he went on to say that there was nothing that DeNiro did during the filming of this movie that didn't stagger him (Lewis), he wasn't used to working with an actor such as DeNiro. Great movie!
Rumor has it that DeNiro used anti-Semitic slurs on Lewis prior to filming this scene; Lewis had never worked with method actors and thought DeNiro meant them. It explains that livid look on Lewis' face...
"come on down, don't be ashamed"
MrSyrett 4 months ago
"No, I was that way before." Boss.
animatestate 4 months ago
@TheTrippybutterfly Yeah...I loved Johnny Carson, but can you picture anybody else besides Jerry Lewis playing this part? It's kinda hard to.
calchick82 5 months ago
This is one of my favorite movies & my favorite one with De Niro. He just shines here. I know Scorsese originally wanted Johnny Carson to play Rupert, but he turned it down and I'm glad, because Jerry Lewis was the perfect person to play this Carson-like character.
calchick82 6 months ago
Jano, what's with the frigging door? Your master has been out there waiting for 8 mintues. So open the GD door already!!!
taypar11 8 months ago
Apparently Robert De Niro, a notable method actor, screamed a bunch of anti-Semitic insults at Jerry Lewis to get him pissed off for this scene.
illethereal 8 months ago
"i can take a hint" LOL yeah right rupert!
wunderbeast 9 months ago
@wunderbeast Lol, the whole movie is Rupert not taking hints, just one after the other.
GilbertSmith 9 months ago
"Allright, I could take a hint."
lol What a delusional ass!
BigStick3456 11 months ago
fav film of all time,
Ireland
ImagesByDavid 11 months ago
What a riveting scene from a terrific movie. I felt so bad for Rita, watching her change from an excited starstruck girl to a helpless intruder when she slowly realizes she's not invited. And all the while Rupert never stops pushing, even way past when it's appropriate lol
wunderbeast 11 months ago
One of my favorite movies, my pals in NY spotted my second husband as Rupert Pupkin. I saw this in the cinema when it came out. In TAXI DRIVER my second husband's porno writings were in the open men's magazine shown by the wife of De Niro at that time. My second husband was thrilled but I was shocked.
slobomotion 1 year ago
This is one of my favorite scenes of this movie, It's funny and painful to watch. It shows how really disturbed Rupert is barging into Jerry's home like he is his best friend.
rjplamf61 1 year ago
Robert De Niro used anti-Semitic remarks to anger Jerry Lewis while filming this scene. Lewis, who had never worked with method actors, was shocked and appalled, but deliveres an extremely credible performance. -imdb
jflasssh 1 year ago
The young negress in this scene is actually DeNiro's wife
432F01 1 year ago
read the book Scorsese by Ebert and the film is more of a drama rather than a comedy. the film is about rejection and I cringe at this scene.
MrRamirez787 1 year ago
define irony. this film was kept in the comedy section of video stores!
scottmanduzy 1 year ago
The ending of the film is DEFINITELY real. IT CAN'T BE his fantasy. I SIMPLY WON'T ACCEPT THAT! His dream MUST come true!!!!!
simon63 1 year ago
The best movie at all - great ...
Larz013 1 year ago
I think the ending of the movie was not a fantasy and actually happened to him.
In the end, his lifelong dream actually came true.
choad45 1 year ago
This is fucking genius.
AndWhatRoughBeast 1 year ago
de niro looks incredibly young here, i know he was 39 but the extra fat from raging bull makes him look younger that he did in mean streets and bang the drum.
kingcaesar5 1 year ago
The More I watch this movie, the more I get out of it. Did Rupert bring Rita to impress her? Or was he kind of using her, to help smooth things out during the meeting with Jerry? You can tell that her presence effects Jerry. He seems so pissed, but when he sees Rita, he seems to restrain himself a lot. The presence of a pretty woman always changes the dynamic between men. It didn't work, but Rupert is still a pretty shrewd guy. Jerry Lewis is excellent in this movie!
skybluemarshall 1 year ago
@skybluemarshall i think he knew Jerry would be less harsh in front of a woman.
kingcaesar5 1 year ago
@kingcaesar5 I read that deNiro used anti semitic taunts between takes to encourage Lewis' rage!
scottmanduzy 1 year ago
I like the fact that Rita steals a personal item from Jerry. Until that exact moment, Rita is the most morally upright and mentally stable character in the film. But even Rita can't resist the obsession with fame and her chance to own a tiny piece of a celebrity. Rupert, completely embarrasses himself, like a nut job, yet Rita isn't that much different. She just hides it a lot better. It's a very subtle way of saying that even the best of us has a bit of Ruper Pupkin in us.
skybluemarshall 1 year ago 6
@skybluemarshall good observation. we all secretly want a piece of celebrity whether it is real or borrowed.
scottmanduzy 1 year ago
He's doing it wrong.
ngaulin 1 year ago
This film is basically exactly the same as Taxi Driver....but possibly 20 times darker! Both truly incredible works of art.
lurvelysooz 1 year ago
I've always believed the butler got stuck at opening the door, and J Lewis being the great comedian/performer he is, improvised on it with the "would you open the g--damn door"
I saw Kim Chan (butler) walk into a Radio Shack I was working at in the Bronx in 1988. He came up to the counter and I said to him: "Mr. Langford I have heart attack". He then laughed, repeated the line and said "Oh yeah, that was funny".
x05e 1 year ago 2
I wonder if by the end when Jerry passes the TV sets in the windows and sees Rupert wrapping up his act , if he realises that Rupert actually might had done a good job (which he did) in the first place. And maybe he could've saved himself the trouble by booking him on the show. (Of course, he had every right not to)
ninesidedstar 2 years ago
Hey Rupert, I just found out I have cancer -- 1:48
southblockSOS 2 years ago
Comment removed
southblockSOS 2 years ago
Maybe Conan O'Brien should have shown NBC who's boss by kidnapping Jay Leno.
SirReal1958 2 years ago
I really like this movie...
But inthis scene I feel embaraced by Rupert/De Niro...he just dont get it...
animaniaco 2 years ago
on the surface this is a film about obsession with fame, but on a deeper level its about the fallacy of ambition. So many of us want to make it to the top, but the fact is few of us will. One can argue that life is about accepting our limitations and moving on. Rupert is unable to do that and his life ends in tragedy.
MisterLyndon 2 years ago 10
Do you think that the ending of the movie was just another one of Rubert's fantasies? I always wondered that.
BipolarPics 2 years ago 5
@BipolarPics
I'm on the side of that the ending wasnt one of ruperts fantasies. I see the ending of Scorcese's way of criticizing the entertainment industry, the way it takes some creep, some of whom have achieved fame through some brief undeserved noteriety (instead of working hard for it), and rewards him with a tv show, book deals, and/or parts in movies instead of shunning the guy as they should. Look at the criminals who get book deals, tv show appearances, etc
classicphile 2 years ago
@BipolarPics no
frogskinshoelace 10 months ago
Actually his life never ends- and because of the success of his monologue, we can only suppose that Pupkin triumphs. All we see in this excellent film is the foibles of celebrity worship as a way of overcoming insecurity. We embrace and join in on the way that everyone in Scorsese's finest film sees Rupert; yet, in the end, we see that in this world it's really all about what's inside. It is totally believable that his madness should prosper. If anything they should have listened to his tape.
MerrillToyCo 2 years ago
@MisterLyndon ...yes, one could argue that. But one could argue (and win) the idea that the opposite, going way beyond your limitations (having the mind game down first) will and has produced miracles beyond mans wildest expectations. Why do you think athletes ALWAYS end up coming back from retirement? Because their mind WON'T accept their physical limits. Let the world tell you by their lack of interest, NOT by their anger - before you EVER tell yourself you can't do it.
anonyms404 1 year ago
@MisterLyndon Lol your comment no offence has come from the mindset of someone who gives up.
I must disagree wth you with all respect. THis film on a deeper level is about a guy who does make it at the end, a guy who knows he will make it a guy who feels it and a guy who never gives up. He makes it whatever he has to do... Who said that there is a certain way, a fixed way to make it? He was already famous in his head and so he skipped 20 years of bottom feeding and went straight to the top
archangul 1 year ago
@archangul ...and all the while having a fantastic and adventurous journey. This is wonderful. think about it. Imagine when u die and u look back in ur life i guarantee rupert's spirit will be so joyful about his ride while those who were too scared and to convinced by social conditioning that they weren't worth it, will look back and say "damn i forgot who i was. I forgot the ride. I gotta go back and hopefully i'll remember that i can do anything this time around" - By me, a genius born
archangul 1 year ago
@archangul You do realize the ending is all in this head?. If Rupert were sensible, he'd settle for a modest goal such as doing stand-up at small club. If this didn't work he could've found something else to be passionate about. Many take the Rupert route ...they'll bus tables well into their 40s, convinced that just one day, they'll make it on Broadway or publish that novel. Fear of compromise runs deep in our nation's pathos (USA, we ARE #1!). This movie exposes this often suppressed emotion.
MisterLyndon 11 months ago
@MisterLyndon
Tragedy? I see it as more of a personal redemption.
Carthsgtr 5 months ago
Jerry was the real sociopath.
YouDickwod 2 years ago
Jerry is so hot in this
Aidooosh 2 years ago
That's true, read it in Carsons bio
manhattan85 2 years ago
The truth is Johnny Carson was offered the role but turned it down. Jerry was 2nd choice.
nomobties 2 years ago
I would think that Jerry would have this same reaction if he wasn't acting. Great scene. Great movie.
cvjucla3 2 years ago
1:57--Lewis looks absolutely livid.
Lewis had never worked with method actors before this movie, and rumor is DeNiro used anti-Semitic slurs between takes to get Lewis riled up.
restlessr84 2 years ago
thanks to others for flagging up 1.53, as Rupert's veneer of confidence starts to slip. One of the most original movies ever made - it could have been too unbelievable but in the hands of Scorsese, De Niro and the genius casting of Jerry Lewis, it's a masterpiece.
cds2006 2 years ago
Over the past year I have thought of this movie a lot. It's become one of my favorites. This is a really tense scene.
TonyManeroNY 2 years ago
Bobby I happen to love this film you were perfect for this!
onetrashdancer 2 years ago
1.53 shows Rupert is under tension.
ImagesByDavid 2 years ago
Rupert is my favorite film character of all time.
Watch this film more than any other.
ImagesByDavid 2 years ago
Bobby who does this remind you of ???????
onetrashdancer 2 years ago
i have cousins like this guy.
alloowishus 2 years ago
The asian guy said ( in 2 other parts of this scene), "I have a heart attack. Notice when he gets the door open he grabs his chest. Great scene
amazmace 2 years ago
I have the entire scene posted up as "King of Comedy-home invasion" on my lonniepics channel
NOLA1984NOW 2 years ago
1:50
jmunj 2 years ago
4:18
pcp747 3 years ago
" I can take a hint ! " hahahahahaha ! Good line!
soranB55 2 years ago
rupert pupkin really is just like that asshole chuck we see out all the time. no shame!
queenwinterkat 3 years ago
They wanted Johnny Carson to play the host that was kidnapped originally, but they thought people might get ideas..about kidnapping Carson. So they picked Jerry Lewis and names him Jerry Lawford.
Ecksntrick8 3 years ago
Sorry, Langford..
Ecksntrick8 3 years ago
I like how she says she´s so humiliated but left the house with a "souvenir". :D Excellent, excellent film.
mousegonemad 3 years ago
I LOVE the way Rupert makes himself at home right in front of Jerry:
Rupert (heading to the drinks cart): What's your pleasure, Jerry? It's kind of hot out there, I want to get something nice to drink. Jerry, what would you like?
bmovies60 3 years ago 2
hahahahaahaha that's terrific, that's terrific...LIIIIINGER LOOOONGER!
ballsmccoy 3 years ago 13
Thanks friend!
gaustin2 3 years ago
Thanks a lot for posting this, but can you include the rest of the scene if possible? (Until Jerry gives the servant the thumbs up sign.)
gaustin2 3 years ago
I love this film, lol "what your pleasure Jerry"
funkygibby 3 years ago
Fantastic film. One of my all time favorites. Thanks for posting this!
careyleefisher 3 years ago
thanks
bigred997 3 years ago
I read this. Robert De Niro wanted to make sure Jerry's rage was genuine so he spouted off for weeks before the shoot saying that..."jews had turned the world into garbage for 5000 years..." It's obvious by Jerry's intense performance that it worked though De Niro never meant it. Two excellent actors in a Scorsese film that sould have won some oscars. Jerry's best seroius performance. And they originally wanted Johnny Carson for this role.
amazmace 3 years ago
You read correctly, plus a lot of this scene was improvised. When they wrapped this scene Lewis supposedly said to DeNiro, "I never want to work with you (or see you) again!" because he was so upset with DeNiro's remarks beforehand. But he went on to say that there was nothing that DeNiro did during the filming of this movie that didn't stagger him (Lewis), he wasn't used to working with an actor such as DeNiro. Great movie!
wlhardy 3 years ago
Rumor has it that DeNiro used anti-Semitic slurs on Lewis prior to filming this scene; Lewis had never worked with method actors and thought DeNiro meant them. It explains that livid look on Lewis' face...
restlessr84 2 years ago