IN THE BEGINNING

Apparently somewhere between 1945 and 1955, Jerry Lewis got hit on the head with a flying object or bumped into some very large piece of furniture (“The Devil Made Him Do It,” by Robert Strauss, Feb. 26). Does he remember WHO got him those New York club dates with Dino Crocetti (Dean Martin) or, for that matter, WHO found Dean Martin to put him with as an act? Does he remember WHO got him those salaries at those clubs and really got his career started?

My father, Abbey Greshler, who became a highly successful agent, put Martin and Lewis together. He went on to manage some very famous performers, but was always proud of the fact that he discovered Martin and Lewis.

We all wish Lewis luck with his new Broadway venture but, come on, he just sort of didn’t magically happen all by himself. I understand perfectly well that he’s still trying to please his father. Well, my father passed away last year, and I’m trying to honor mine.

FRANCINE GRESHLER

FELDMANN

Los Olivos

*

I found Strauss’ article to be typical of Lewis and his ego. Perhaps his “feeling of total and complete selflessness” could include the children he has never bonded with: his five sons.

More callous was the fact that the woman who was mother to his sons rated almost insignificant mention in this puff piece. Patti Lewis was a featured big-band singer with a very promising career, which she gave up to be a full-time wife and mother. I was a fan of Patti Palmer then, and I remain a fan.

JEAN McGRAW

Fullerton

*

So Jerry Lewis thinks that Dean Martin was the greatest straight man in the history of comedy. Compared to the likes of George Burns and Oliver Hardy, Martin was just another Italian crooner. The most you can say about Dean Martin is that he was a hell of a lot funnier than Jerry Lewis.

BURT PRELUTSKY

North Hills