A movie about the Holocaust, which was filmed and subsequently discarded due to controversy, is now being remade over 50 years later.
The Day the Clown Cried is a notorious and unseen film in the history of cinema.
Jerry Lewis wrote and directed a passion project that takes place in a Concentration Camp during the Holocaust. While most of the film was filmed in 1972, it was never completed and has yet to be released.
A Hollywood producer has announced that he has acquired the rights to the original script that inspired Lewis’ screenplay. He has intentions to use the material to create a new film.
The Day the Clown Cried
The Day the Clown Cried tells the tale of Helmut Doork, a clown who performs for children in a Concentration Camp in an effort to distract them from the horrors they are facing.
Lewis not only directed and wrote the script for his role as Doork, but also based it on a screenplay by Joan O’Brien and Charles Denton.
The film was filmed in Sweden in 1972, but faced numerous issues during principal photography, the most significant being the depletion of funds.
Despite an initial rough cut being put together, the project was eventually abandoned and remained unfinished due to both copyright problems and Lewis’s apparent dissatisfaction with the incomplete outcome, resulting in it never being released to the public.
Despite its initial obscurity, The Day the Clown Cried has achieved legendary status. In 1992, The Simpsons actor Harry Shearer claimed to have personally viewed the film and shared his thoughts on its terrible quality in a 1992 issue of Spy magazine.
Often, we discover that the expectation or idea of something is superior to the actual experience. However, watching this film was truly magnificent as perfect objects are seldom encountered. This film was a flawless creation.
Despite its glaring flaws, this movie’s pathos and comedy are so off-the-wall that any attempt to imagine how it could be better would fall short of the reality. The only possible reaction is simply, “Oh, My God!”
Plans for a remake
Having acquired the original O’Brien and Denton script, producer Kia Jam has set his sights on remaking the movie. In an interview with Deadline, Jam revealed that he has secured production financing and is currently in the process of finding a suitable director.
“I attempted to secure financing for this project a few times in the past, but was unable to attract the level of filmmaker that it truly deserves. It takes a master craftsman to properly tell this story,”he clarified.
Jam affirms that the film will be a formidable one, being ultimately a story of redemption. The current state of the world only strengthens the urgency to create a movie like this.
“It will be challenging due to the abundance of misinformation surrounding the original movie and Jerry’s involvement. People have varying opinions on whether the movie was good or bad, and Jerry himself has expressed dissatisfaction with the final product.”
The central focus of the script is the journey of our protagonist, a person who had strayed from their path but ultimately discovers their true calling in life – to bring happiness and humor to the children trapped in a terrible and dire situation.
The story is centered around the sacrifices made by the protagonist and the efforts of those around him to support him. The joy and laughter he brings to the needy children is only temporary, but it holds great significance. Although it is a fictional tale, the way it is written makes it feel like a true story.
We will provide updates on The Day the Clown Cried remake as soon as they become available.
Looking for more movies that have yet to be released? Check out our article on superhero movies that may never make it to the big screen. Alternatively, we also have a list of new movies streaming this month and the top movies of 2024, thus far.
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