Sophie Tucker, born Sofia Kalish in 1886, was a Russian-American performer who made waves in the entertainment world with her bold comedic style. In The Joker Is Wild (1957), she brings her signature risqué humor and powerful vocal delivery to the screen, captivating audiences with her dynamic presence. Known as 'the Last of the Red-Hot Mamas', Tucker's influence extended beyond stage and radio, marking her as a significant figure in the evolution of American entertainment during the early 20th century.
The Joker Is Wild
In 1929 Joe E. Lewis is a successful night-club singer in Chicago while working for the Mob during the Prohibition era. His decision to work elsewhere displeases his mob employer who has his thugs assault him by slashing his face and throat, preventing him from continuing his career as a singer. After many years he eventually recovers and turns his acerbic and witty sense of humor into an act when given a break as a stand-up comedian from singer Sophie Tucker (playing herself). Soon, Lewis makes a career for himself as a comic, but heavy drinking and a self-destructive behavior leads him to question what his life has become and how he has hurt the people around him including his wife Martha and his best friend Austin.
