[sinatraphiles] September 26 - THIS DATE IN SINATRA HISTORY

From: "Ed O'Brien" <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> ("eob101")
To: "sinatraphiles@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <sinatraphiles@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, 26 Sep 2023 18:36:45 +0000 (UTC)

Film

FRANK SINATRA is reportedly a friend of the comedian, Joe E. Lewis, and the
Capitol's new picture yesterday shouldn't change things. Paramount's "The Joker
Is Wild," has Mr. Sinatra portraying his pal, in a frankly affectionate
valentine, based on a biography by Art Cohn, with a nice supporting cast that
includes Eddie Albert, Mitzi Gaynor and Jeanne Crain. This is the story of a
cocky young Prohibition-era singer, almost ruined by a gangster, who switches
to comedy, and drinks his way to night-club renown, as two loving ladies lose
him to show-business legend. To get right down to cases (along with Mr. Lewis),
the valentine is disarmingly personable and realistic for about two-thirds of
the way. Sentiment it has—also salt. Unfortunately, and with all respect to Mr.
Lewis, a very likable hero, as Mr. Sinatra plays him, he eventually turns into
a flabby, tippling night owl vaguely promising to perk up. Methodically
tapering off, the picture ends on this indulgently listless note. Backing up,
there is plenty to be said for a show-business tribute as trimly organized,
well-acted and honest as this one. Mr. Saul has snugly ticket off a series of
admirably lean vignettes for Mr. Sinatra that carry him from a bleak Chicago
hole-in-the-wall to his present-day club eminence. Charles Vidor's direction is
as alert and flavorsome as the generally smoky backgrounds of Samuel J.
Briskin's  production. Mr. Albert, as a loyal accompanist; Beverly Garland, as
his wife; Miss Crain, as the society belle who leaves the hero, and Miss
Gaynor, as the bouncy chorine who bravely is married to him—these people all
rate bows. But perhaps the brightest thing about the picture is the excellent
dialogue—peppery, amusing and sensitive in turn. Add, certainly, the
consistently fine acting of Mr. Sinatra, on view virtually every minute, armed
to the hilt with period songs. Mr. Lewis' friend has made him seem such a
winning guy, it's too bad we have to leave him methodically wearing a bottle,
like a tired albatross.
The Cast THE JOKER IS WILD, screen play by Oscar Saul, from a book by Art Cohn;
directed by Charles Vidor; produced by Samuel J. Briskin for Paramount
Pictures. At the Capitol. Joe E. Lewis . . . . . Frank Sinatra Austin Mack . .
. . . Eddie Albert Martha Stewart . . . . . Mitzi Gaynor Letty page . . . . .
Jeanne Crain Cassie Mack . . . . . Beverly Garland. . .  Swifty Morgan . . . .
. Jackie Coogan Georgie Parker . . . . . Ted deCorsiaNYT9-27-57

References:
- [sinatraphiles] September 26 - THIS DATE IN SINATRA HISTORY
  - From: Scott Henderson

[sinatraphiles] September 26 - THIS DATE IN SINATRA HISTORY

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