The Joker Is (Still) Wild (1957)

Phillyrich · Post by **Phillyrich** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 8:33 pm

It puzzles me that the 1957: "The Joker Is Wild" has never been made available on video in any tape/disc format.

It's an imperfect but offbeat film, the story of nightclub singer Joe E Lewis, who got involved with organized crime in 1920's Chicago, and got his vocal chords cut, and an "x" carved in his face in a vicious gangland beating, all for the crime of singing in a rival nightclub. He returned to success years later as perhaps the first in a cycle of cynical night club comics in the 1940s. His personal life remained rocky.

A pretty good Frank Sinatra role, with Lewis advising on the set, and some fine songs early in the feature. Could have been a classic film with a better script, that didn't fall back a bit too often on cliche. But some poignant moments.

Could it be music copyright, holding back a release-- or a conflict over ownership?

azjazzman · Post by **azjazzman** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 11:42 pm

Phillyrich wrote:Could it be music copyright, holding back a release-- or a conflict over ownership?

It has run on TCM, so I don't think there is a rights issue.

****Follow up to this: I just found a thread from last year about THE JOKER IS WILD on the Sinatra Family website.

One poster claimed that he heard Robert Osborne state when TCM ran it that the Joe E. Lewis estate controlled the rights and only had licensed the film for infrequent TV showings.

Nancy Sinatra responded that she did not believe this to be the case and that Paramount owns it and just hasn't been interested in putting it out on DVD right now.

I think Nancy is correct; but I have a DVD of the TCM showing and I'll check it to see if Osborne did indeed say that.

moviepas · Post by **moviepas** » Sat Jun 25, 2011 3:24 am

Maybe now that Olive Films is doing Paramount films under licence from this period it might be that they will release it barring any supposed rights problem.

Ray Faiola · Post by **Ray Faiola** » Mon Jun 27, 2011 7:18 am

There are apparently legal tie-ups that prevent its release on DVD. I recently offered Paramount access to my print of the JOKER "study" film where Charles Vidor took a camera crew out to El Rancho and shot Joe E. Lewis doing his entire 45 minute act. Seems Paramount's license specified television but not "all other" rights.

gjohnson · Post by **gjohnson** » Mon Jun 27, 2011 8:42 am

I don't think I've ever seen clips of Joe E. Lewis perform. It's been years since I've watched PRIVATE BUCKAROO but I don't believe he performs his act in that film (correct me If I'm wrong - as if you folks won't.......). Lewis recorded a comedy album for Sinatra's record label in the early 60's and I've never ran across that (and I had a large LP collection at one time). I guess my best bet is to find some old Sullivan shows where he was a frequent guest.

Ray Faiola · Post by **Ray Faiola** » Mon Jun 27, 2011 9:18 am

I ran the print at the Friars here in NY late last year. Had a very nice turnout, including one chap who worked as a publicist for Lewis.

The Joker Is (Still) Wild (1957)

The Joker Is (Still) Wild (1957)

Re: The Joker Is (Still) Wild (1957)

The Joker is Wild