culture
Reel Toronto: Martin & Lewis
The rise and fall of Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin is recreated on the streets of Toronto.
Toronto’s extensive work on the silver screen reveals that, while we have the chameleonic ability to look like anywhere from New York City to Moscow, the disguise doesn’t always hold up to scrutiny. Reel Toronto revels in digging up and displaying the films that attempt to mask, hide, or—in rare cases—proudly display our city.
Yes, we’ve seen our share of terrible TV-movie biopics. In the scheme of things, this tale of the great comic duo, filmed here back around 2001, isn’t so bad. It features Will & Grace star Sean Hayes (avec fake nose) as Jerry Lewis and suave Brit Jeremy Northam as the super suave Dean Martin.
Being all about the show biz, it takes place almost entirely in New York and Los Angeles but didn’t shoot anything in either city.
Perhaps the least surprising place to see in a period piece like this is the Canary Grill.
Once as much a mini film studio as an industrial greasy spoon, it’s about to unveiled as the gateway to the new Pan Am Village (and it’s given its name to the village’s post-games moniker, The Canary District).
Of course there are a lot of scenes of the duo performing, especially in clubs, but they’re mostly sets.
This New York exterior, however, is obviously real. It’s outside the Patrician Grill, on King East and that “club” is now part of George Brown College.
Some of their televised shtick was shot at Global TV’s studios, near Don Mills and Lawrence.
They also shot nearby at the Spirale banquet hall. We think that’s what you’re seeing here.
This is pretty creative. It’s supposed to be LA’s historic train station…
…but it’s actually the pavilion at Sunnyside Beach.
There’s pretty much nothing to see of this beach but we know they shot something at Bluffer’s Park so this is either there or also at Sunnyside.
Same goes for this “Atlantic City” phone call.
Here, our rich boys cruise La La Land, as Dean shows off his new digs.
They’re actually cruising in the Bridle Path neighbourhood; this house is on Park Lane Circle.
When you see Dean’s backyard, however, it’s most definitely the picturesque Parkwood Estate…
…which we’ve seen a kajillion times, including X-Men and Billy Madison.
The duo finally has an on-stage meltdown here in Phoenix…
…actually, the Elgin Theatre.
We can certainly enjoy our growing reputation for hosting blockbuster productions, and even more quality TV fare but long-forgotten, mediocre are the foundation upon which all that is built. Never forget!