Comedy’s Golden Team

Long before Dean Martin became a member of the Rat Pack and the French embraced Jerry Lewis, the two were the hottest comedy team in America. Martin and Lewis have even been described as the Beatles of comedy.

From 1946-56, Martin and Lewis had the magic touch. Their comedy concerts were sell-outs, their 16 movies for Paramount were enormous box-office hits and their appearances on NBC’s “The Colgate Comedy Hour,” wiped out the competition, CBS’ formidable, “The Ed Sullivan Show.”

The Disney Channel pays tribute to Martin and Lewis with the three-part retrospective, “Martin & Lewis: Their Golden Age of Comedy.” The first installment, “The Birth of the Team,” aired last month. “Kings of Comedy,” premiering Sunday, features footage from the duo’s live appearances on “The Colgate Comedy Hour.” Part 3, “Jerry, Alone at the Top,” which airs July 19, tells the story of their breakup in 1956, focusing on Lewis’ solo TV career and the pair’s famous reunion on Lewis’ 1976 Labor Day MDA telethon.

When they first teamed at the 500 Club in Atlantic City, Martin, then 28, and Lewis, 20, were struggling performers. Lewis, who had met Martin when they were both staying at New York’s Belmont Plaza Hotel, recommended Martin to the 500 Club’s manager, who was looking for a singer who could do more than just sing. Lewis convinced him that he and Martin had done a comedy act several times. Before they went on, Lewis started writing comedy bits on a greasy paper bag, which he still has.

To Lewis’ amazement, Martin had impeccable comedy timing. That first night, July 25, 1946, Martin and Lewis performed for more than three hours. By week’s end, word-of-mouth spread throughout Atlantic City and people were lining up around the block to see the wacky, unpredictable antics of the handsome singer and the funny “monkey,” as Lewis described his stage personae.

In 1947 and ‘48, they played some of America’s top night clubs, including New York’s Copacabana and Los Angeles’ Slapsy Maxie’s. On June 20, 1948, they were the first guests on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” then called “The Toast of the Town.” The talent budget was only $375 and they split $200. Their film career was launched in 1949 when producer Hal Wallis cast them in the comedy hit, “My Friend Irma.”

The following year, NBC asked them to host a new comedy-variety series, “The Colgate Comedy Hour.” Lewis feared all of their best sketches would be used up within a few months if they hosted every week, so they agreed to do the show approximately once a month. Over five years, they hosted the series 28 times. Eddie Cantor, Abbott and Costello and Phil Silvers were among the other hosts. “The Colgate Comedy Hour” was the first commercial series to originate from Hollywood and the first network program to be broadcast in color.

“Kings of Comedy” features kinescopes from “The Colgate Comedy Hour” that have not been seen since they were first telecast.

Clips include Martin explaining to the audience that something has gone wrong with the sketch and a montage of “the suitcase on the bed” gag in which he pulls out various things, including people. Several Martin and Lewis sketches spawned catch-phrases and another montage of clips spotlights their most famous, including “Melvin?,” “Don’t lick it” and “I like it, I like it.”

“Kings of Comedy,” features interview with Lewis and guest Martin Short who talks about how he was influenced by Martin and Lewis and how his Ed Grimley character was developed by using Lewis’ many characterizations

On Nov. 13, 1955, Martin and Lewis made their last appearance on “The Colgate Comedy Hour.” Their final film, “Pardners,” was released in 1956.

“Martin & Lewis: Their Golden Age of Comedy: Kings of Comedy” airs Sunday at 9 p.m., Monday at 4:30 a.m., Friday at 9:35 p.m. and June 25 at 11 p.m. on The Disney Channel.