Question 1

What incident from Jerry Lewis's real life was incorporated into the film?

Accepted Answer

When Jerry Langford refuses to talk to someone on a fan's phone, she says 'I hope you get cancer'—this actually happened to Jerry Lewis, who directed that segment himself.

Question 2

Which punk rock band members make cameo appearances as street hecklers?

Accepted Answer

Mick Jones, Joe Strummer, and Paul Simonon of The Clash appear as 'street scum' mocking Sandra Bernhard's character during an argument scene.

Question 3

What controversial method did Robert De Niro use to provoke Jerry Lewis during filming?

Accepted Answer

De Niro used anti-Semitic remarks to anger Jerry Lewis while filming the scene where Rupert crashes Jerry's country home, shocking Lewis but resulting in a credible performance.

Question 4

Which major film festival first showcased The King of Comedy?

Accepted Answer

The film was featured at the Cannes Film Festival in 1983, among several other festivals including Tribeca, Locarno, and Göteborg over the years.

Question 5

What was largely improvised in the scene where Rupert shows up at Jerry's house?

Accepted Answer

Much of that scene was improvised: Kim Chan improvised his phone call lines, Jonno's trouble opening the door was unplanned, and Jerry Lewis improvised his reaction.

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The King of Comedy

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