Shawn Levy

Shawn Levy, author of "King of Comedy: The Life and Art of Jerry Lewis," dives into the controversial legacy of Lewis's infamous unrelease film, "The Day The Clown Cried." They discuss the bizarre premise of a clown in Auschwitz and its muted reception in cinema history. Levy analyzes the challenges Jerry faced in blending comedy with such a sensitive subject while reflecting on his career's rise and fall. The conversation also touches on the film's cult status and the ongoing intrigue it generates among film buffs.

Shawn Levy, author of 'King of Comedy: The Life and Art of Jerry Lewis,' dives into Jerry Lewis’s infamous unproduced film, 'The Day The Clown Cried.' He discusses the film’s audacious premise of a clown in Auschwitz and its status as a cult curiosity. Levy reveals the challenges Lewis faced in tackling such a sensitive subject and explores the film's mixed legacy, questioning the appropriateness of combining humor with tragedy. The conversation sheds light on Lewis's controversial career and the cinematic balance between comedy and serious themes.