My ADHD 8 year old, Captain Spaz, would prevent him from speaking at all. She’d be asking him non stop questions followed by whistling loud, nonsensical tunes as she ran in circles around the studio before lastly tripping over her own feet. Lucky she’d impressive him with her display of over the top theatrics. 😂
Jerry told her he was going to say "Action" then ask her a question. He never said it, only "go ahead". She followed his direction, was ready and he did not deliver. They don't even do that to adults in screen tests.
Interesting how he is trying to get her frazzled to see how she would hold her composure. It would of been funny if she had got up and said, I can’t work with this crazy man 😂
@@aussie8114 Well, actually, I do. I was pretty tired when I wrote that, and now I see he probably was both having fun with her, and testing her to evaluate how she handled such stress in real situations. 👌🙆 I think she did very well; she could keep the situation straight, and sorted the answers required by the story vs. reality, she recognized when "the ball was thrown to her" and she has nothing to say because she had not been given any lines, etc. Thomas seems to have understood children pretty well. I wonder if he ever met or worked with Fred Rogers?
I wondered if people ever realized that behind-the-scenes, Jerry Lewis was an absolute asshole, but because of his charity work on MDA, people kept it to themselves for a little while
This was around 60 years ago - Today a typical kid of this age in this situation would have had a blank "wha?" on the face while looking off screen for mom's help, no cell phone in hand.
Jerry Lewis was a jerk. That goes without saying, but there was a method to his madness here. He's testing Donna to see how well she holds up under pressure. Most kids at that age would fold in a situation like that, but Donna held her own. She wasn't only adorable and talented, she was a true professional. Rest in Peace, Donna. You were a little champ.
I feel like he was seeing how she would react. Jerry Lewis played all 7 roles in the film, so he would be working with Donna Butterworth the entire time. I feel like he was frustrating her on purpose to see if she'd keep her composure (vs cry or walk off set). I'm sure Lewis did a lot of improv as a comedian, and he was most likely looking for a sincere, good natured kid who'd be able to roll with whatever antics or situations that may happen on screen. I've seen this film many times (one of my favorite kid's movies), Donna was excellent and she was perfect alongside Lewis.
@@KCaldwell I've never seen it, that I can remember anyway... Not much of a Jerry Lewis fan and I honestly don't remember Donna Butterworth at all from back then. I've only learned about her from TH-cam... She was adorable and very composed for an 8 year old.
Well this was not just for the purpose of getting a good laugh at her expense. He was giving her smaller versions of the larger obstacles she would confront performing on television.
@@76marji i understand your suggestion but maybe that day, i wanted some interaction with friendly people in the comments section at youtube. I think that’s what happened. I havent sought out any of her work yet, unfortunately, but when i amd ready, @KCaldwell gave us two good recommendations, too!
She never got upset. That was cute. She was so comfortable during her screen test.
Donna was incredibly cute, adorable & talented ! Watching this is wonderfully heartwarming ! THANK YOU so much for uploading for us to enjoy !! ❤
This is a pure treasure to watch.
Indubitably ! One can tell that Donna was quite the talented little lady !
Whatever happened to Donna Butterworth she had to be almost the same age as Ron Howard???
@@clintprovance8047 She was born, paid taxes, and died.
She did a pretty good job of sparring with Jerry.
As an 8 year old I would have needed a drink after that crap.
😂😂😂
i've seen big dix before, but *he* is KING D¡¢K! 👑 🤬😤🙄😮💨
My ADHD 8 year old, Captain Spaz, would prevent him from speaking at all. She’d be asking him non stop questions followed by whistling loud, nonsensical tunes as she ran in circles around the studio before lastly tripping over her own feet. Lucky she’d impressive him with her display of over the top theatrics. 😂
she was so patient and respectful of our lovable Jerry. She really kept her cool. ❤
She was so cute.
Absolutely beautiful 💖👀👂
This was pretty interesting to watch. The way he was trying to mess her up in frustration and she held her own.
he wanted to see how well she could hold her own in a comedic situation
She’s awesome
I certainly have a notion to second that emotion !! She's a natural !! 🤓
Boy, was she holding it together with Jerry...what a trooper..super
What a funny conversation!
also starred alongside Elvis in the movie Paradise Hawaiian style ..1966
she was qualified for it, she knew how to spell and properly say Hawaii 😂
Jerry told her he was going to say "Action" then ask her a question. He never said it, only "go ahead". She followed his direction, was ready and he did not deliver. They don't even do that to adults in screen tests.
Combining 3 posts from 3 different posters on the same day:
"Demeaning creepy awful"
YES
Donna died in 2018 of an “undisclosed” illness in her hometown of Hilo.. She was 62. R.I.P. sweet girl.
How sad, she died so young. 😢
i wonder if any screen tests or behind the scenes with her and elvis
Jerry hated his own kids. Not sure how he felt about Donna, but he did hire her, at least.
It's obvious he is lousy with children.
Always trying to humiliate them thinking it's funny.
The guy was a spoiled brat far more than any kid.
Interesting how he is trying to get her frazzled to see how she would hold her composure. It would of been funny if she had got up and said, I can’t work with this crazy man 😂
This comment deleted.
@@TheNoiseySpectator Have you no sense of humour.
@@aussie8114 Well, actually, I do.
I was pretty tired when I wrote that, and now I see he probably was both having fun with her, and testing her to evaluate how she handled such stress in real situations. 👌🙆
I think she did very well; she could keep the situation straight, and sorted the answers required by the story vs. reality, she recognized when "the ball was thrown to her" and she has nothing to say because she had not been given any lines, etc.
Thomas seems to have understood children pretty well. I wonder if he ever met or worked with Fred Rogers?
@@TheNoiseySpectator She handled it very well.
I refuse to work under these conditions!
Imagine being one of his children.
so many things now as time flies by you see and the people are gone its weird
I wondered if people ever realized that behind-the-scenes, Jerry Lewis was an absolute asshole, but because of his charity work on MDA, people kept it to themselves for a little while
I grew up loving Jerry but he’s tormenting her for fun and it’s infuriating
i get the feeling he was uncomfortable being famous for acting nuts, and compensated for it weirdly when he was out of character
Donna was such a natural talent and had such a sad end.
Joey Levitch could not help but being prick, even to an eight year old.
This was around 60 years ago - Today a typical kid of this age in this situation would have had a blank "wha?" on the face while looking off screen for mom's help, no cell phone in hand.
Jerry is such a tool!
⚒️🔧 *BIG* 🪛 *TIME!* 🗜️🔨
😰i'll bet he was proud of himself for harassing a sweet little 8-yr-old! 👿
Anyone know why her career ended suddenly after only 3 years? Possibly her parents grew tired of show business.
when they found out it's full of pedophiles.
This is so cute. She was able to handle it.
What a jerk.
Jerry Lewis was a jerk. That goes without saying, but there was a method to his madness here. He's testing Donna to see how well she holds up under pressure. Most kids at that age would fold in a situation like that, but Donna held her own. She wasn't only adorable and talented, she was a true professional. Rest in Peace, Donna. You were a little champ.
DONNA BUTTERWORTH Yah Yah Like Sharley Temple
I do not see any similarities between Donna and Shirley (not ShArley).
Sad she passed a couple of weeks ago.
Her hair's so shiny ..she must have been a Breck Girl 😉
That's an old commercial from why back. LOL
yeah, she *should have* been a Breck girl❣️
She is not having his foolishness, which is what he is after….he likes it when folks stick to the script and not let him ruffle them
Jerry was all right here. Just trying to get reactions from a child.
Is he trying to drive her crazy???
I feel like he was seeing how she would react. Jerry Lewis played all 7 roles in the film, so he would be working with Donna Butterworth the entire time. I feel like he was frustrating her on purpose to see if she'd keep her composure (vs cry or walk off set). I'm sure Lewis did a lot of improv as a comedian, and he was most likely looking for a sincere, good natured kid who'd be able to roll with whatever antics or situations that may happen on screen. I've seen this film many times (one of my favorite kid's movies), Donna was excellent and she was perfect alongside Lewis.
@@KCaldwell I've never seen it, that I can remember anyway... Not much of a Jerry Lewis fan and I honestly don't remember Donna Butterworth at all from back then. I've only learned about her from TH-cam... She was adorable and very composed for an 8 year old.
@kimberlyroy1157 she was absolutely darling! I definitely recommend the film, it's very cute. Jerry Lewis' son Gary Lewis has a cameo in it, too!
Poor girl
😂❤
Messing with an 8 year old kids mind is cruel
Well this was not just for the purpose of getting a good laugh at her expense.
He was giving her smaller versions of the larger obstacles she would confront performing on television.
especially when she's smarter than he is. lol
I agree.
I always felt Cosby did sadistic things to children in his segments with kids and those dumb Jello Pudding Pop ads.
Is he deliberately confusing her?
I wonder if JL intentionally was being an idiot.
He is creepy.
He's demeaning
Simon says
What a stupid way to overwhelm a kid to get a role.
Why is he doing this to her!!! This is mean
Who is Donna Butterworth?
She was in Family Jewels alongside Jerry Lewis, and Paradise Hawaiian Style with Elvis Presley.
@@KCaldwell thank you. It is always fun to newly discover a performer from long ago and get impressed so many years after the fact. Lol.
why don't ya just *google* her??
@@76marji i understand your suggestion but maybe that day, i wanted some interaction with friendly people in the comments section at youtube. I think that’s what happened. I havent sought out any of her work yet, unfortunately, but when i amd ready, @KCaldwell gave us two good recommendations, too!
Aww come on he was a Crack up he was teasing her. And she got the job and it's a great wonderful movie
Abuse.
He was trying to make her laugh 😊
Um ok
Jerry was an awful person.
someone needs to do a film exposing the real Jerry Lewis.
Why? What was he suppose to have done?
@@yanniewilliamsthey are just haters with no life. Donna thought greatly of him and Elvis.
What a funny conversation!