MARTIN & LEWIS

FORMATION: Their first debut was at the Atlantic City's 500 club in 1946. They had run into each other a few times before and had even done a small act in New York for a night, but it was in Atlantic City that they officially became partners. Dean was the straight man crooner and Jerry was the crazy nut comedian. There act was simple: Dean sings a few songs and Jerry dose everything in his power to interrupt him. Soon they both go after each other and Jerry ends with a puzzled look. Okay, maybe it wasn't that simple.

STUDIOS: In 1949, they signed on at Paramount Pictures. The intention of the studio was to combat the popular duo at Universal, Abbott & Costello. Here they made sixteen films during their partnership and a cameo in Bob Hope & Bing Crosby's "Road to Bali" (1952). Jerry Lewis later became one of Paramount's biggest stars in his independent comedies.

ENDING: There has been a lot written about the split of Martin & Lewis. It is the biggest split in Hollywood history and has a following of books and websites explaining the cause of it. What I find to be the most accurate is an interview available on YouTube.com. In it, Jerry is asked what or who caused the split. I think it is the most genuine and thoughtful explanation on the subject. Their last film together was "Hollywood or Bust" in 1956. They had ten amazing years together as partners.

What makes their breakup so interesting is that later they would tell jokes about it. They were very good friends and it showed on the screen. It was their film "Scared Stiff" (1953) that got my wife a little bit more interested in the movies of the past. She found it funny and original, even though it was in "black and white." They were one of he funniest duo's of the big screen and their films and performances are still popular today.

This is the trailer of my favorite film of theirs.

Here is a beautiful tribute video to Martin & Lewis.

This was their last reunion on Television.