On this day April 3 1981 the comedy film Hardly Working premiered in theaters. Directed by and starring Jerry Lewis the movie marked his return to American cinema after a long break from directing and acting in the United States.
Lewis played a circus clown who finds himself unemployed and struggling to adjust to life in the real world. With a mix of slapstick gags and heartfelt moments the film leaned into the classic Jerry Lewis style that had made him a household name for decades. Co starring Susan Oliver and Deanna Lund the film had a budget of 8.8 million and became a financial success internationally even though reviews were mixed in the US.
80s insight: Hardly Working had already seen success overseas before it even opened in the United States where it became a box office hit in several European countries.