Ocean City to Celebrate 50th Anniversary of Jerry Lewis Classic

Ocean City will mark the 50th anniversary of the 1965 comedy classic “The Family Jewels,” co-written, directed, and produced by Jerry Lewis, who also played seven roles in the film.

The event takes place on Thursday, July 2, and Friday, July 3, at the Moorlyn Family Theatre, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace, Ocean City Public Relations Director Mark Soifer said.

A VIP red carpet event is set for July 2. The movie will be screened on July 3.

In the movie, Donna Butterworth plays a 10-year-old girl who inherits $30 million when her dad dies. Lewis plays her six uncles, one of whom she must choose to become her new dad. He also plays the chauffeur who takes her to see each of her uncles.

The red carpet event will benefit the Ocean City Tabernacle’s Son Club, a free afterschool program for children in kindergarten to eighth grade.

Son Club provides homework help, life skill classes, games and Bible lessons. It is the only free after school program available in Ocean City.

Paulajane D’Amato, daughter of the late Skinny D’Amato, will appear at the event. Skinny D’Amato was the colorful founder of Atlantic City’s 500 Club, where Lewis and Dean Martin first teamed up in 1946. They performed at the Club frequently as they rose to fame.

Jim Monaco, owner of the largest collection of Martin and Lewis memorabilia, will also be a special guest on July 2. He will display and discuss his memorabilia during the evening.

Both events begin at 8 p.m. and include a show and dinner option at the Flanders Hotel between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Tickets are $20 for the show and $50 for show and dinner. Tickets are available at the Moorlyn Theatre Box Office or online at www.moorlynfamilytheatre.org. The red carpet event will only be held on July 2.

For more information, call the Ocean City Tabernacle, 609-399-1915.

The attached image of Moorlyn Theatre is a Patch file photo