'The Jerk' Starring Steve Martin Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 12-14-2009, 02:55 PM

Directed by Carl Reiner, and released on December 14, 1979 "The Jerk" tells the "rags to riches…to rags" story of Navin R. Johnson, an imbecilic, white boy, raised by a family of poor, black sharecroppers, who decides to take his Candide-like optimism and head to the big city to find his place in the world. The film kicks off with a homeless Navin, who says, "I am not a bum. I'm a jerk. I once had wealth, power, and the love of a beautiful woman. Now, I only have two things: my friends and my thermos." Navin then goes on to recount the particulars of his personal story. He begins with the avowal, "It was never easy for me; I was a poor, black child." An obvious incongruity, this line sets the tone for the rest of the film as a comedy where absurdity is commonplace and no holds are barred.

MrCleveland · 12-14-2009, 04:33 PM

This movie is funny! Carl Reiner not only directed and had a cameo in the film, he's also a good friend to Steve Martin!

catlover79 · 12-14-2009, 04:36 PM

Classic - who could forget Mabel King as Steve Martin's "mother"?

steevo · 12-14-2009, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrCleveland

This movie is funny! Carl Reiner not only directed and had a cameo in the film, he's also a good friend to Steve Martin!

I will never forget that scene: Carl Reiner taking off his glasses to reveal that he is cross-eyed.

Classic. One of Steve Martin's best.

Chocolate Moose · 12-14-2009, 08:15 PM

i remember it well !!!!!

TJL · 12-14-2009, 08:25 PM

Wow, 30 years ago today!

HBO has been running The Jerk recently. I caught some of it the other day. Still very funny after all these years.

catlover79 · 12-14-2009, 10:41 PM

.

Vito · 12-19-2009, 08:52 PM

"The Jerk" came out when I was a senior in high school, and it was a big hit among most of my classmates. But I've never watched it, for some reason.

12-14-2009, 02:55 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	'The Jerk' Starring Steve Martin Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary Directed by Carl Reiner, and released on December 14, 1979 "The Jerk" tells the "rags to riches…to rags" story of Navin R. Johnson, an imbecilic, white boy, raised by a family of poor, black sharecroppers, who decides to take his Candide-like optimism and head to the big city to find his place in the world. The film kicks off with a homeless Navin, who says, "I am not a bum. I'm a jerk. I once had wealth, power, and the love of a beautiful woman. Now, I only have two things: my friends and my thermos." Navin then goes on to recount the particulars of his personal story. He begins with the avowal, "It was never easy for me; I was a poor, black child." An obvious incongruity, this line sets the tone for the rest of the film as a comedy where absurdity is commonplace and no holds are barred. Attached Images
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12-14-2009, 04:33 PM	#2
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,228	This movie is funny! Carl Reiner not only directed and had a cameo in the film, he's also a good friend to Steve Martin!
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12-14-2009, 04:36 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Classic - who could forget Mabel King as Steve Martin's "mother"?
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12-14-2009, 08:15 PM	#5
Chocolate Moose Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,900	i remember it well !!!!!
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12-14-2009, 08:25 PM	#6
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	Wow, 30 years ago today! HBO has been running The Jerk recently. I caught some of it the other day. Still very funny after all these years.
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12-14-2009, 10:41 PM	#7
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	. Attached Images

12-19-2009, 08:52 PM	#8
Vito Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 28, 2008 Location: California Posts: 635	"The Jerk" came out when I was a senior in high school, and it was a big hit among most of my classmates. But I've never watched it, for some reason.