Monday, November 17, 2025

Medical Mondays: A Little Fun to Match The Sorrow (Ben Casey, 1965)

 After the breakup of his partnership with Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis had a good amount of success going solo in movies. His first self-titled variety show, however, was abruptly cut short after three months in 1963, but other than that, Lewis became a tireless advocate for a cure for muscular dystrophy, a cause that would lead to the annual telethons every September for several decades.

Lewis also began to take on more dramatic roles, such as this one, from season 4 of Ben Casey. Lewis plays a doctor who uses humor to mask his true concern for his patients. Lewis also directed the episode, which also features Tige Andrews (ex-The Detectives) and James Best.


A few years later, Lewis would direct & guest star in an episode of The New Doctors, a component of The Bold Ones, dedicated to muscular dystrophy.

In two weeks: Trapper John, MD.

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