The following is a guest post by David Jackson, Archivist, Bob Hope Collection, Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation.
As processing archivist for the Bob Hope papers, I frequently come across the early professional work of several icons of American entertainment, such as Doris Day, Judy Garland, and Desi Arnaz. Jerry Lewis, whose collection likewise resides at the Library of Congress, is another such film giant whose early career can be traced through the Hope collection. Lewis’ recent passing led me to investigate the connections between the two comics.
Jerry Lewis, with his partner Dean Martin, first appeared on the Bob