In the 1970s, a film Peculiar began to be produced under the direction and performance of Jerry Lewis, known for his comedies.
‘The Day the Clown Cried’ emerged as a work that mixed humor and drama in the dark context of the Second World War.
The plot centers on Helmut Doork, a German clown who, after mocking Adolf Hitler, is arrested by the Nazis. An intriguing premise, but the film’s fate took unexpected turns before it hit theaters.
Film that was never shown
The disagreements that led to the non-release of ‘The Day the Clown Cried’ are as complex as the plot itself. Legal issues and disputes over the rights to the work arose, creating a tangle of obstacles.
Jerry Lewis, often known for his perfectionism, had a unique vision for the film, but his decisions faced resistance from producers and others involved.
In trying to balance elements of humor and drama in a delicate historical context, Lewis faced challenges in conceiving the work.
The narrative choices and general tone were not easily accepted by those involved in the production, leading to creative conflicts.
However, one of the most intriguing factors that contributed to the film’s obscurity was Jerry Lewis’ decision to keep the film under lock and key.
One of the few scenes obtained over more than 50 years – Image: Senses of cinema/Reproduction
O comediandespite his notoriety for his meticulous approach to his work, felt ashamed of the result of ‘The Day the Clown Cried’.
The emotional complexity of the film, which sought to find humor amid the tragedy of war, did not fit as he expected.
Lewis, over the years, has expressed his wish that the film would never be released, keeping it as a dark secret throughout his career.
The artist’s personal shame became one of the fundamental reasons why the world never witnessed the full realization of ‘The Day the Clown Cried’.
Thus, the film remains a lost work, shrouded in mystery and inaccessible to the public eye: until 2024.
2024, the year of launch
In 2014, something surprising happened, Jerry Lewis, after decades of reservation, decided to deliver a copy of ‘The Day the Clown Cried’ to the Library of Congress in the United States.
However, he imposed a strict condition: the work could not be shown in any way until 2024. Lewis left us in 2017, at the age of 91, without the chance to witness the reaction of the public who will finally be able to watch the film.
BBC report on the work (in English) – Video: YouTube/Reproduction
The number of spectators who will have access to the work remains uncertain, but it is clear that the presentation of ‘The Day the Clown Cried’, even if in an incomplete production, promises to become a notable event.
At that time, it was speculated that the first screening would take place at the National Center for Audiovisual Preservation, in Virginia, as announced in 2015. However, these plans may have changed.
If the original schedule is maintained, the availability of the film for interested academics, it is scheduled from June 2024.
This will offer a unique opportunity for those who wish to explore the mysteries and controversy behind ‘The Day the Clown Cried’.
