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IMDbPro

The Polka King

  • 20172017
  • TV-14TV-14
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
11K
YOUR RATING
Jason Schwartzman, Jack Black, and Jenny Slate in The Polka King (2017)
Local Pennsylvania polka legend Jan Lewan develops a plan to get rich, but sometimes with big plans come big mistakes.
Play trailer2:17
1 Video
62 Photos
BiographyComedyDrama
Local Pennsylvania polka legend Jan Lewan develops a plan to get rich that shocks his fans and lands him in jail.Local Pennsylvania polka legend Jan Lewan develops a plan to get rich that shocks his fans and lands him in jail.Local Pennsylvania polka legend Jan Lewan develops a plan to get rich that shocks his fans and lands him in jail.
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
11K
YOUR RATING
    • Maya Forbes
    • Maya Forbes
    • Wallace Wolodarsky
  • Stars
    • Jack Black
    • Jenny Slate
    • Jason Schwartzman
    • Maya Forbes
    • Maya Forbes
    • Wallace Wolodarsky
  • Stars
    • Jack Black
    • Jenny Slate
    • Jason Schwartzman
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 51User reviews
    • 43Critic reviews
    • 65Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:17
    Watch Official Trailer

    Photos62

    Marilyn Busch and Randy Tow in The Polka King (2017)
    Jason Schwartzman, Jack Black, Willie Garson, Jenny Slate, and Vanessa Bayer in The Polka King (2017)
    Jason Schwartzman and Jack Black in The Polka King (2017)
    Jack Black in The Polka King (2017)
    Jacki Weaver and Jenny Slate in The Polka King (2017)
    Michael Lerman and Jenny Slate at an event for The Polka King (2017)
    Jack Black at an event for The Polka King (2017)
    Jack Black, Jacki Weaver, and Jenny Slate at an event for The Polka King (2017)
    Jack Black at an event for The Polka King (2017)
    Jack Black and Michael Lerman at an event for The Polka King (2017)
    Jenny Slate and Andi Poland in The Polka King (2017)
    The Polka King (2017)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jack Black
    Jack Black
    • Jan Lewan
    Jenny Slate
    Jenny Slate
    • Marla Lewan
    Jason Schwartzman
    Jason Schwartzman
    • Mickey Pizzazz
    Jacki Weaver
    Jacki Weaver
    • Barb
    J.B. Smoove
    J.B. Smoove
    • Ron Edwards
    • (as JB Smoove)
    Robert Capron
    Robert Capron
    • David Lewan
    Willie Garson
    Willie Garson
    • Lonny
    Vanessa Bayer
    Vanessa Bayer
    • Bitsy Bear
    Robert Macaux
    • Christopher
    Mary Klug
    • Anita Krzyewski
    Wallace Wolodarsky
    Wallace Wolodarsky
    • Vince
    • (as Wally Wolodarsky)
    Lew Schneider
    Lew Schneider
    • Lou Laroue
    Phyllis Kay
    Phyllis Kay
    • Marilyn
    Richard Donelly
    • Stan Moetek
    Kati Salowsky
    Kati Salowsky
    • Connie Klopski
    Jordan Lloyd
    • Debra Johnson
    Rachel Annette Helson
    Rachel Annette Helson
    • Beauty Pageant Judge
    Anthony Estrella
    • Presenter
      • Maya Forbes
      • Maya Forbes
      • Wallace Wolodarsky
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The original Jan Lewan Orchestra members; Steve Saive Trumpet, Bob Lugiano Trumpet, Scott Shirk Saxophone, and Stephen Kaminski Saxophone, recorded the movie soundtrack at Avatar studios along with Jan Lewan who was coaching Jack Black on his vocals.
    • 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.
    • Quotes

      Title Card: This really happened.

      Title Card: In Pennsylvania.

    • Crazy credits
      You can see and hear the real Jan Lewan and his band perform.
    • Connections
      Referenced in Flix Forum: The Polka King (2019)
    • Soundtracks
      Ole Ole Ole 12 Inch
      Written by Mike Stock, Jeanine Dee, Roland Verlooven, Matt Aitken (as Matthew James Aitken) and Pete Waterman

      Performed by Jack Black

    User reviews51

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    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.
    helpful•8
    4
    • christopher-cole83
    • Jan 27, 2018

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 12, 2018 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Rhode Island, USA
    • Production companies
      • ShivHans Pictures
      • Electric Dynamite
      • Permut Presentations
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 35 minutes
      • Color

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