The Errand Boy
Paramutual Pictures wants to know where all the money is going, so they hire Morty to be their spy. Morty works for Mr. Sneak and gets a job in the mail room so that he can have access to the lot. But all that Morty ever finds is that he can cause havoc no matter what he does.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Errand Boy (1961) exhibits strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Jerry Lewis's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 32 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Morty S. Tashman is introduced as an innocent, naive young man seeking employment, representing pure inexperience before entering the chaotic world of Hollywood.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Morty is hired as an errand boy, unknowingly serving as a plant to investigate the studio's financial irregularities. His innocent presence disrupts the established order.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Morty fully embraces his role at the studio, actively engaging with the filmmaking environment rather than just observing. He chooses to be part of this world., moving from reaction to action.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Morty's natural talent and earnest nature win over several studio employees. He appears successful in his dual role, but the stakes raise as executives grow suspicious of his constant presence everywhere., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 69 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Morty faces potential firing as his accumulated disasters reach a breaking point. His dream of belonging in the studio world appears dead, and he confronts his complete failure to solve the investigation., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 74 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Morty realizes or discovers the truth about the studio's financial situation, synthesizing his innocent observations with the investigation's purpose. His genuine nature becomes the solution rather than the problem., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Errand Boy's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping The Errand Boy against these established plot points, we can identify how Jerry Lewis utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Errand Boy within the comedy genre.
Jerry Lewis's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Jerry Lewis films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Errand Boy represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jerry Lewis filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Jerry Lewis analyses, see The Big Mouth, The Ladies Man and The Bellboy.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Morty S. Tashman is introduced as an innocent, naive young man seeking employment, representing pure inexperience before entering the chaotic world of Hollywood.
Theme
A studio executive comments on finding someone "invisible" who won't cause trouble, ironically stating the theme: true value comes from being genuine, not invisible.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Paramutual Pictures studio, its various departments, hierarchies, and the investigation into missing funds. The studio world is established with its stars, executives, and behind-the-scenes chaos.
Disruption
Morty is hired as an errand boy, unknowingly serving as a plant to investigate the studio's financial irregularities. His innocent presence disrupts the established order.
Resistance
Morty navigates his new role, learning the ropes of studio life, making mistakes, and encountering various department heads and stars. He resists fully committing to the deceptive investigation aspect.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Morty fully embraces his role at the studio, actively engaging with the filmmaking environment rather than just observing. He chooses to be part of this world.
Mirror World
Morty encounters sympathetic studio employees and performers who see past his bumbling exterior, introducing the subplot about authentic human connection versus Hollywood superficiality.
Premise
The fun and games of Morty creating chaos throughout the studio: disrupting film shoots, interfering with various departments, performing impromptu pantomimes, and inadvertently showcasing hidden talents while searching for the source of missing funds.
Midpoint
Morty's natural talent and earnest nature win over several studio employees. He appears successful in his dual role, but the stakes raise as executives grow suspicious of his constant presence everywhere.
Opposition
Pressure mounts as Morty's mishaps escalate, studio executives become more frustrated with his interference, and the investigation seems to be leading nowhere. His genuine mistakes are increasingly seen as sabotage.
Collapse
Morty faces potential firing as his accumulated disasters reach a breaking point. His dream of belonging in the studio world appears dead, and he confronts his complete failure to solve the investigation.
Crisis
Morty reflects on his time at the studio, processing the impending loss of this world he's come to love despite being completely wrong for it by conventional standards.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Morty realizes or discovers the truth about the studio's financial situation, synthesizing his innocent observations with the investigation's purpose. His genuine nature becomes the solution rather than the problem.
Synthesis
The resolution of the investigation and Morty's vindication. His authentic, bumbling presence reveals truths that sophisticated investigators missed. He proves his value to the studio through being genuinely himself.
Transformation
Morty is accepted at the studio not despite his quirks but because of them. The closing image shows him belonging in the Hollywood world, transformed from invisible errand boy to valued individual.