1957·Drama·2h 6m
7.1
★
A Prohibition-era nightclub crooner has his career is cut short when his throat is slashed by a mob boss.
Directed by Charles Vidor
biography
nightclub entertainer
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Cast
Frank Sinatra
Joe E. Lewis
Mitzi Gaynor
Martha Stewart
Jeanne Crain
Letty Page
Eddie Albert
Austin Mack
Beverly Garland
Cassie Mack
Jackie Coogan
Swifty Morgan
Barry Kelley
Hugh McCarthy
Ted de Corsia
Georgie Parker
Leonard Graves
Tim Coogan
Valerie Allen
Chorine
Sophie Tucker
Sophie Tucker (uncredited)
Eric Alden
Doorman at the Copacabana (uncredited)
Crew
Charles Vidor
Director
Daniel L. Fapp
Director of Photography
Popular Reviews
7 reviews
Mackenzie Stevenson
8.0★ · 02/07/24
"Goodbye? That's not a very nice way to say 'I love you'."
After reading this section of the book I wanted to watch this again, and I ended up bumping it up to 4 stars. It has a lot of potential that could have been so much better, which I think is why I gave it 3 on a first watch. But I also recognize that during the 50s people might not have enjoyed a Frank Sinatra film about a depressive alcoholic succumbing to his demons (I would), which is why a lot of the emotion is hinted at instead of up close and personal. The acting performance in this is pretty solid - I think because Frank is much better at dry, throw-away humor than intentional humor - and "All the Way" is becoming one of my favorite Sinatra songs.
After reading this section of the book I wanted to watch this again, and I ended up bumping it up to 4 stars. It has a lot of potential that could have been so much better, which I think is why I gave it 3 on a first watch. But I also recognize that during the 50s people might not have enjoyed a Frank Sinatra film about a depressive alcoholic succumbing to his demons (I would), which is why a lot of the emotion is hinted at instead of up close and personal. The acting performance in this is pretty solid - I think because Frank is much better at dry, throw-away humor than intentional humor - and "All the Way" is becoming one of my favorite Sinatra songs.
"Goodbye? That's not a very nice way to say 'I love you'."
After reading this section of the book I wanted to watch this again, and I ended up bumping it up to 4 stars. It has a lot of potential that could have been so much better, which I think is why I gave it 3 on a first watch. But I also recognize that during the 50s people might not have enjoyed a Frank Sinatra film about a depressive alcoholic succumbing to his demons (I would), which is why a lot of the emotion is hinted at instead of up close and personal. The acting performance in this is pretty solid - I think because Frank is much better at dry, throw-away humor than intentional humor - and "All the Way" is becoming one of my favorite Sinatra songs.
After reading this section of the book I wanted to watch this again, and I ended up bumping it up to 4 stars. It has a lot of potential that could have been so much better, which I think is why I gave it 3 on a first watch. But I also recognize that during the 50s people might not have enjoyed a Frank Sinatra film about a depressive alcoholic succumbing to his demons (I would), which is why a lot of the emotion is hinted at instead of up close and personal. The acting performance in this is pretty solid - I think because Frank is much better at dry, throw-away humor than intentional humor - and "All the Way" is becoming one of my favorite Sinatra songs.
Mackenzie Stevenson
6.0★ · 01/23/24
Yes guys, the rumors are true, I have just finished the first 800 page volume of a two-part book series chronicling the life of Frank Sinatra. Why do you ask did I get myself into this? Am I obsessed with Frank Sinatra? Long time fan? Sentimental reasons? I honestly have no good answer except that he always sounds sad, and that is interesting. SO now that I'm in it for the long haul, I'm trying to watch a handful of his movies as I go.
Apparently there was some kind of copyright issue with The Joker is Wild so you can't rent it or buy it on DVD anywhere, so I watched an illegal copy of it online. As one does. Now, I, a recently self-proclaimed Sinatra aficionado, know alllllllll about his steep career decline that took place around 1949-1954, so I know that he could relate personally to the main guy in this, maybe a little too close for comfort. This is 1957, when he's well into his meteoric rise that would continue for the next several decades (I assume, I'm only up to him winning his Oscar in 1954). And additionally, you have the added layer of his tumultuous marriage - and unhealthy attachment - to Ava Gardner, which is mirrored by Lettie leaving the main guy (I can't for the life of me remember his name and I just finished it 10 minutes ago). Frank adds a thick layer of shame and despair to the guy, who does manage to rise above his situation and jumpstart his new career, but it's still not enough.
Anyway, not a lot to say on this except that I know things, because I am reading a 1600 page magnum opus on Frank Sinatra, and you are not.
Apparently there was some kind of copyright issue with The Joker is Wild so you can't rent it or buy it on DVD anywhere, so I watched an illegal copy of it online. As one does. Now, I, a recently self-proclaimed Sinatra aficionado, know alllllllll about his steep career decline that took place around 1949-1954, so I know that he could relate personally to the main guy in this, maybe a little too close for comfort. This is 1957, when he's well into his meteoric rise that would continue for the next several decades (I assume, I'm only up to him winning his Oscar in 1954). And additionally, you have the added layer of his tumultuous marriage - and unhealthy attachment - to Ava Gardner, which is mirrored by Lettie leaving the main guy (I can't for the life of me remember his name and I just finished it 10 minutes ago). Frank adds a thick layer of shame and despair to the guy, who does manage to rise above his situation and jumpstart his new career, but it's still not enough.
Anyway, not a lot to say on this except that I know things, because I am reading a 1600 page magnum opus on Frank Sinatra, and you are not.
Yes guys, the rumors are true, I have just finished the first 800 page volume of a two-part book series chronicling the life of Frank Sinatra. Why do you ask did I get myself into this? Am I obsessed with Frank Sinatra? Long time fan? Sentimental reasons? I honestly have no good answer except that he always sounds sad, and that is interesting. SO now that I'm in it for the long haul, I'm trying to watch a handful of his movies as I go.
Apparently there was some kind of copyright issue with The Joker is Wild so you can't rent it or buy it on DVD anywhere, so I watched an illegal copy of it online. As one does. Now, I, a recently self-proclaimed Sinatra aficionado, know alllllllll about his steep career decline that took place around 1949-1954, so I know that he could relate personally to the main guy in this, maybe a little too close for comfort. This is 1957, when he's well into his meteoric rise that would continue for the next several decades (I assume, I'm only up to him winning his Oscar in 1954). And additionally, you have the added layer of his tumultuous marriage - and unhealthy attachment - to Ava Gardner, which is mirrored by Lettie leaving the main guy (I can't for the life of me remember his name and I just finished it 10 minutes ago). Frank adds a thick layer of shame and despair to the guy, who does manage to rise above his situation and jumpstart his new career, but it's still not enough.
Anyway, not a lot to say on this except that I know things, because I am reading a 1600 page magnum opus on Frank Sinatra, and you are not.
Apparently there was some kind of copyright issue with The Joker is Wild so you can't rent it or buy it on DVD anywhere, so I watched an illegal copy of it online. As one does. Now, I, a recently self-proclaimed Sinatra aficionado, know alllllllll about his steep career decline that took place around 1949-1954, so I know that he could relate personally to the main guy in this, maybe a little too close for comfort. This is 1957, when he's well into his meteoric rise that would continue for the next several decades (I assume, I'm only up to him winning his Oscar in 1954). And additionally, you have the added layer of his tumultuous marriage - and unhealthy attachment - to Ava Gardner, which is mirrored by Lettie leaving the main guy (I can't for the life of me remember his name and I just finished it 10 minutes ago). Frank adds a thick layer of shame and despair to the guy, who does manage to rise above his situation and jumpstart his new career, but it's still not enough.
Anyway, not a lot to say on this except that I know things, because I am reading a 1600 page magnum opus on Frank Sinatra, and you are not.
Connor EverettPRO
7.0★ · 06/07/23
I went into this thinking it was a comedy…..BOY WAS I FUCKIN WRONG
I went into this thinking it was a comedy…..BOY WAS I FUCKIN WRONG
Eula
7.4★ · 06/23/21
So if you let me love you, it’s for sure I’m gonna love you… all the way
Martha’s wedding dress is absolutely dreamyyy (would have never thought i would see ol’ blue eyes dressed as a clown)
Martha’s wedding dress is absolutely dreamyyy (would have never thought i would see ol’ blue eyes dressed as a clown)
So if you let me love you, it’s for sure I’m gonna love you… all the way
Martha’s wedding dress is absolutely dreamyyy (would have never thought i would see ol’ blue eyes dressed as a clown)
Martha’s wedding dress is absolutely dreamyyy (would have never thought i would see ol’ blue eyes dressed as a clown)
k
5.0★ · 06/16/26