Was just watching the other day the movie about the birth of striptease - think was 'night at Minskys' or similar, where he was doing the old music hall funny man schtick routines.

As a kid I loved most of his movies, until he got more 'control' and pushed the 'maudlin' envelope with those extended uncomfortable scenes where he would hold the bursting into tears moment, which always resulted in the audience (in the scene in the film) laughing.

I still think he could be a very funny man - until his style fell out of popular favor. Would have loved to have met him for a quiet chat.

I thought he was much funnier than Jerry lewis, overall.