The Clown (1953)

Director:

Robert Z. Leonard

Writers:

Frances Marion (story)
Leonard Praskins (adaptation)

Release Date:

16 January 1953 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

You'll cry...You'll laugh...You'll love it!

Plot:

Once a famous Ziegfeld star, Dodo Delwyn, is reduced to playing clowns in burlesque and amusement parks as a result of his drinking...

Plot Keywords:

Clown | Remake

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Red Skelton	...	Dodo Delwyn
Jane Greer	...	Paula Henderson
Tim Considine	...	Dink Delwyn
Loring Smith	...	Benjamin Y. 'Goldie' Goldenson
Philip Ober	...	Ralph Z. Henderson
Lou Lubin	...	Little Julie
Fay Roope	...	Doctor Strauss
Walter Reed	...	Joe Hoagley
Eddie Marr	...	Television director
Jonathan Cott	...	Floor director
Don Beddoe	...	Gallagher
Steve Forrest	...	Angry young man at funhouse

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

Australia:G | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

In part for its obvious publicity value, MGM had interest in casting 'Jackie Cooper''s son John in the role his father had created in The Champ (1931/I) some twenty years before. He was favorably screen-tested and was to be billed as "Jackie Cooper Jr." But his father, well-versed in the pitfalls of child acting, objected to obligating the boy to a contract with the studio. Young Cooper was only six anyway, and his age made the casting a stretch despite the good screen test. Tim Considine, several years older, was selected.

Movie Connections:

Features Bathing Beauty (1944)

Red Skelton's Crowning Glory!

When I plunked down my half-dollar at Washington DC's most deluxe Loew's Capitol Theatre in 1953 --- for a matinée of THE CLOWN plus their Stage Show --- I had no idea the powerhouse of raw emotion and dramatic excellence waiting on the screen inside.

THE CLOWN is without a doubt the finest work of one of America's best comedy actors. This film is loaded with belly-laugh humor, drama, tragedy, hope, redemption, pathos. More than 50 years later I can still feel the emotion of this great film.

Skelton plays a down-and-out comedy star who's drifted into a daze of alcoholism. He's given up on reconnecting with his ex-wife, but has hopes of a relationship with his young son. IF ONLY... if only he can stay off the sauce.... if only he can find somebody who'll let him perform again......