Summary
- The infamous unreleased 1972 film
The Day the Clown Cried
may finally be getting a full movie version after producers acquire the original script. - Film producer Kia Jam is reviving the controversial film but removing Jerry Lewis‘ input to try and create a more straightforward but still disturbing movie.
- The original film, featuring a comedy legend leading children into gas chambers during the Holocaust, was deemed unsuitable for release and disavowed by its director.
As a seasoned movie critic with a lifetime of cinematic experiences under my belt, I must say that the revival of Jerry Lewis’ infamous unreleased masterpiece, “The Day the Clown Cried,” has left me both intrigued and bewildered. With a career spanning over five decades, I’ve witnessed the rise and fall of countless films, but none have garnered as much notoriety and mystery as this one.
As an ardent admirer, I’m eagerly awaiting the revival of the enigmatic and contentious film, “The Day the Clown Cried,” created by the legendary Jerry Lewis. Despite its elusive existence, it has never been publicly screened. Interestingly, a ‘remake’ is in the works, yet it’s challenging to label it as such due to the original movie’s unseen status. In 2014, Lewis graciously donated the film, along with some unedited footage and audio reels, to the Library of Congress. It seems that a comprehensive cut of the 1972 production may be non-existent, as Lewis himself distanced himself from it. However, glimpses of an early, rough version have surfaced, with one such viewer being Harry Shearer from “The Simpsons.” Speaking to Spy! magazine via IndieWire, Shearer shared his thoughts on the film, expressing intrigue and mystery about this elusive production.
“Generally speaking, expectations often outshine the actual experience with many things. However, watching this movie was a truly extraordinary moment because it’s not often one encounters an absolute masterpiece. This film is so off-kilter, its emotional depth and humor are so unexpectedly mismatched, that it surpasses any idealized version of it in your mind. All you can say is ‘Oh My God!'”
As a devoted cinephile, I’m excited to share that the enigmatic film, long shrouded in mystery, is being reborn under the guidance of Kia Jam from K. Jam Media. This visionary producer has shouldered the financial responsibilities (graciously taken on by Tim Zajaros and Christopher Lemole), enabling its production. Now, he’s on the hunt for a filmmaker with resilience and perhaps a touch of the macabre, who can steer this remake. The script was initially penned by Joan O’Brien and Charles Denton, but it was Lewis, who tragically passed in 2017, who fine-tuned it to his preferences. Interestingly, Kia Jam is revisiting the original script, a reading he found emotionally harrowing before Lewis made his adjustments. Jam recounts (via Deadline) that the first time he ever read this script was over a decade ago, when a rabbi shared it with him.
Initially, the first two dozen pages seemed a bit cumbersome and quite antiquated. However, once I delved into the narrative, I became utterly captivated by the dialogue. Upon its conclusion, I was moved to tears. Consequently, I found myself heading home with little energy left for anything else throughout the remainder of the day.
Jam elaborated on his experiences organizing everything and securing legal rights: “I managed to find the appropriate individuals, acquire all necessary documents with the rabbi’s assistance, and began working on funding the project. I secured financing for it at various points throughout the years, but I couldn’t attract a filmmaker of the right caliber. This story demands a true artisan to bring it to life. The actors who join this movie will want assurance they’re in skilled hands. Unfortunately, I was not able to provide that.” When asked if he had ever watched any part of Lewis’ film, he responded:
I haven’t watched the film, and frankly, I don’t feel inclined to. However, let me clarify that my respect for Jerry is immense; I used to adore his films growing up and he was undoubtedly a genius… There seems to be a lot of misunderstanding about the original movie, its production, and Jerry’s involvement in it, as well as opinions on whether it was good or bad. It’s worth noting that Jerry himself has expressed dissatisfaction with the final outcome.
Talk about an understatement.
I guess I felt a need to step back from it, but the script I possess – the one penned by the authors years ago – undeniably ranks as the most potent piece of writing I’ve ever come across.
Why Is The Day the Clown Cried So Controversial?
The initial movie narrates the tale of a circus jester who falls into Nazi captivity during World War II. When they realized he was mocking Hitler, they subjected him to an inhumane profession: Helmut Doork is sent to a concentration camp where he leads children to their demise. He serves as a sort of Pied Piper in the film, and despite its grim setting, it contains peculiar humorous scenes, such as when it’s so cold that Helmut Doork forms icicles instead of urine.
By the early ’70s, Lewis was already a renowned comedy figure. When such a film came along, it left many puzzled. Born into a Jewish family, Lewis felt that the finished product wouldn’t resonate with audiences in an official movie release. His physical humor and filmmaking talents were remarkable and distinct, but they didn’t align with the film’s theme. Instead, live comedy shows by Patton Oswalt, David Cross, and Bob Odenkirk, where they performed readings from the script (until a producer intervened), were what drew laughter; you can find Oswalt’s amusing take on this in his book, Silver Screen Fiend.
Although The Day the Clown Cried isn’t publicly viewable, a peek into Jerry Lewis’ well-known unreleased drama can be found by watching the documentary From Darkness to Light. This film delves into the topic and is expected to be distributed following its debut at the Venice Film Festival.
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2024-08-16 03:02