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The Joker Is Wild (1957)

APPROVED 126 min  -  Drama | Musical  -   October 1957 (USA)
7.0
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Ratings: 7.0/10 from 553 users  
Reviews: 16 user | 3 critic

Frank Sinatra plays Joe E. Lewis, a famous comedian of the 1930s-50s. When the movie opens, Lewis is a young... See full summary »

Director:

Charles Vidor

Writers:

Oscar Saul (screenplay), Art Cohn (book)
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Cast

Complete credited cast:
Frank Sinatra ...
Joe E. Lewis
Mitzi Gaynor ...
Martha Stewart
Jeanne Crain ...
Letty Page
Eddie Albert ...
Austin Mack
Beverly Garland ...
Jackie Coogan ...
Swifty Morgan
Barry Kelley Barry Kelley ...
Captain Hugh McCarthy
Ted de Corsia Ted de Corsia ...
Georgie Parker
Leonard Graves Leonard Graves ...
Tim Coogan
Valerie Allen Valerie Allen ...
Flora, Chorine
Hank Henry Hank Henry ...
Burlesque Comedian
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ned Glass Ned Glass ...
Johnson (unconfirmed)
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Storyline

Frank Sinatra plays Joe E. Lewis, a famous comedian of the 1930s-50s. When the movie opens, Lewis is a young, talented singer who performs in speakeasies. When he bolts one job for another, the mob boss who owns the first speakeasy has his thugs try to kill Lewis. Lewis survives, but his vocal cords are cut and he cannot sing. Several years later, his buddy tracks him down and tries to help him with little success. That attempt, though, leads to Lewis meeting Letty Page (Jeanne Crain). They fall in love and she inspires him to follow up on an offer to become a comedian (a result of his buddy's failed attempt to rejuvenate his singing career). Lewis has problems, though. The assault that nearly cost him his life also helped turn him into an alcoholic and an inveterate gambler. These two character defects become the basis for his act and help to make him a smash success. Unfortunately, they also work to wreak havoc in his personal life. Written by David Oboyski  

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Genres:

Drama | Musical

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

All the Way See more »

Company Credits

Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

 | West Germany:

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

In real life, Danny Cohen owned the club in which Joe E. Lewis first worked. When Lewis defected for more money, Cohen gave mobster Jack "Machine Gun" McGurn (real name: Vincenzo Antonio Gebhardi), a lieutenant in Al Capone's mob, a 25% share in the club in return for his persuading Lewis to stay. McGurn's method of persuasion was the beating which Lewis received. See more »

Goofs

Revealing mistakes: When Joe is looking at the building directory, the close-up shows "MORRIS WILLIAM". Yet in the next shot as Joe turns to go to the elevator, it says "MORRIS Wm" See more »

Connections

Referenced in "Batman: The Joker Is Wild (#1.5)" (1966) See more »

Soundtracks

"Cow Cow Boogie"
(uncredited)
Music by Benny Carter and Gene de Paul
Instrumental only See more »