The Polka King (2017)

Local Pennsylvania polka legend Jan Lewan develops a plan to get rich that shocks his fans and lands him in jail.

Director:

Maya Forbes

Writers:

Maya Forbes, Wallace Wolodarsky

Stars:

Jack Black, Jenny Slate, Jason Schwartzman

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jack Black	...	Jan Lewan
Jenny Slate	...	Marla Lewan
Jason Schwartzman	...	Mickey Pizzazz
Jacki Weaver	...	Barb
J.B. Smoove	...	Ron Edwards (as JB Smoove)
Robert Capron	...	David Lewan
Willie Garson	...	Lonny
Vanessa Bayer	...	Bitsy Bear
Robert Macaux	...	Christopher
Mary Klug	...	Anita Krzyewski
Wallace Wolodarsky	...	Vince (as Wally Wolodarsky)
Lew Schneider	...	Lou Laroue
Phyllis Kay	...	Marilyn
Richard Donelly	...	Stan Moetek
Kati Salowsky	...	Connie Klopski

Storyline

Local Pennsylvania polka legend Jan Lewan develops a plan to get rich that shocks his fans and lands him in jail.

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Plot Keywords:

title directed by female | jail | f rated | 

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Taglines:

The greatest scandal in polka history.

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Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 January 2018 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Man Who Would Be Polka King

Filming Locations:

Rhode Island, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

ShivHans Pictures, Electric Dynamite, Isobel Griffiths Limited

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Both Jacki Weaver and Jason Schwartsman worked on Blunt Talk (2015).

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Goofs

Although the minor detail was caught to use the proper blue & yellow Pennsylvania license plates prior to the year 2000 and then update them to the current form upon Lewan's release from prison, vehicles are shown having front plates. Pennsylvania does not issue front license plates.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Jan Lewan: [narrating] When I was little boy in Poland, all the times, I dreaming of America. So I come, I work hard, and I climb to the highest stars.
Jan Lewan: [on stage singing] Oh, la, la; Ole, ole, ole, ole; O la-di, o la-la; Ole, ole, ole, ole; O la-di, o la-la Let's go!

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Connections

Version of The Man Who Would Be Polka King (2009)

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Soundtracks

Trumpeter's Waltz
Written by Stephen Kaminski
Performed by Jan Lewan & His Orchestra
Courtesy of JRD Productions

User Reviews

Jack Black Can Do Polka

The Movie "The Polka King" is based on the life of Jan Lewan, a Polish immigrant who came to the United States, settled in Northeastern Pennsylvania and continued his polka career, and eventually running a Ponzi Scheme. I'm not entirely sure how many of the facts of the man's life were embellished for the story, or if it can truly be considered a bio-pic. It is, none the less, entertaining due to Jack Black portraying Jan.

Because "School of Rock" showcased Black actually having some musical talent, I was surprised to see that he played, quite competently at that, the leader and singer of a polka band, a vastly different style than what he showcased in School of Rock. I don't know how much of a stretch it was for him, as a musician or an actor to pull it off, but in watching this he came across as a legitimate polka band leader, not as someone trying to portray one. He clearly brought some energy to the role, and seemingly getting the approval of Jan Lewan himself.

If you're a fan of Jack Black, or a fan of polka, or both, it's worth your time. It's not great cinema by any means, but I think it showcases that Black is versatile, and that's not a bad thing.