• Tall Tales on Tap: Jerry Lewis loved spinning yarns. He claimed he was a Catskills legend, telling anyone who’d listen that he made a small fortune working at Brown’s Hotel before Brown’s even existed! Spoiler: the hotel didn’t open until 1944, two years after he said he was there busboying his way into showbiz.

• Truth? Not So Much!: Jerry did some odd jobs at another hotel, broke his arm almost instantly, and mostly just hung out. He and his childhood friend Lonnie did silly mime acts for guests. No nine grand salaries. No trailblazing at Brown’s. Just a lot of teenage goofing off.

• Legends Love PR: The Browns, eager for some sparkle, invited Jerry back when he was famous. Jerry milked it for publicity (and fees), even while acting like a moody diva. He told everyone Brown’s was  ...