The Global Psychotronic Film Society

The Global Psychotronic Film Society

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The Global Psychotronic Film Society
The Global Psychotronic Film Society
Jerry Lewis in THE DAY THE CLOWN CRIED & why you will never see the completed film

Jerry Lewis in THE DAY THE CLOWN CRIED & why you will never see the completed film

Every few months "journalists" claim the film has been found and will be screened. Here is why that is bullshit.

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Michael Flores
Jun 03, 2025
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The Global Psychotronic Film Society
The Global Psychotronic Film Society
Jerry Lewis in THE DAY THE CLOWN CRIED & why you will never see the completed film
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The Story Of The Day The Clown Cried with footage from the film:

"The Day the Clown Cried" (1972) Behind the Scenes (High Quality; Partially Subbed)

Here is a re-creation of the script

On April 5, shooting of the film proper began in Stockholm. To prepare for his role, Jerry, who'd been putting on weight in the past few years, lost thirty-five pounds on a grapefruit diet.
Joining him in the cast were Swedish actors Harriet Andersson (longtime collaborator of the great Bergman), Ulf Palme, and Sven Lindberg, along with Jerry's French admirer, comedian Pierre Etaix. Press releases were distributed. Hollywood trade papers carried announcements.

But something was fishy. Although his $1.5 million film was in production, Nathan Wachsberger was nowhere in sight. After two weeks of filming, Jerry began to get troubling reports of the financial condition of the project. Suppliers hadn't been paid for film and other equipment. Crew members and performers had been issued rubber checks. Wachsberger remained in the south of France, taking Jerry's frantic phone calls and assuring him that the money was forthcoming.

Wachsberger had very good reason to keep his distance. He may or may not have had the money, but he definitely didn't have the rights to O'Brien's material. His option on the script had expired. Wachsberger had paid O'Brien a five-thousand-dollar initial fee, but she never received the fifty thousand dollars due her before production began.

Jerry Lewis talks about 'The Day the Clown Cried'

Pre-production interview:
Jerry Lewis - Pre-production interview

Jerry Lewis interview on the set of The Day the Clown Cried '72

The Day The Clown Cried Harry Shearer Howard Stern Interview. Harry had claimed he had seen the completed film. Impossible and bullshit.

There is no completed version of the film so I have no idea what he saw.

This is a special in depth discussion on The Day The Clown Cried with experts Kayley, Anthony, and Richard and Naomi. We also discuss Richard Raber and Naomi Bishop's interaction with Jerry Lewis for their unfinished documentary Clown, which took them on a rollercoaster ride for years. Kayley and Anthony also describe their personal experiences and thoughts on the project. You'll want to watch this entire episode, to hear information on The Day the Clown Cried, that you won't hear elsewhere.

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Behind the paywall: Frank Tashlin’s ARTISTS AND MODELS starring Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis and Shirley MacLaine & Anita Ekberg

In 1955 the war on comic books had resulted in parents throwing out kids comic books. government hearings, and no one was defending kids right to read comic books. People believed just reading a comic book would turn children into criminals. Then along came ARTISTS AND MODELS and Martin and Lewis gave voice to the kids that had no voice. They would remember and adore them from then on. This film is amazing.

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