The Jerk ★★½ 1979 (R) A jerk tells his rags-to-riches-to-rags story in comedic flashbacks, from "I was born a poor Black child," through his entrepreneurial success in his invention of the "Optigrab," to his inevitable decline. Only film in history with a dog named "Shithead." Martin's first starring role, back in his wild and crazy days; his ridiculous misadventures pay tribute to Jerry Lewis movies of the late '60s. Followed by a TV version released in 1984 as "The Jerk Too," with Mark Blankfield as the Jerk. 94m/C VHS, DVD. Steve Martin, Bernadette Peters, Catlin Adams, Bill Macy, Jackie Mason, Mabel King, Richard Ward, M. Emmet Walsh, Dick O'Neill, Maurice Evans, Pepe Serna, Trinidad Silva, Carl Gottlieb; Cameos: Carl Reiner, Rob Reiner;
Director:
Carl Reiner;
Writer:
Michael Elias, Steve Martin, Carl Gottlieb;
Writer:
Victor Kemper;
Cameo:
Jack Elliott.
