The Joker Is Wild is a 1957 American musical drama film directed by Charles Vidor, starring Frank Sinatra, Mitzi Gaynor, Jeanne Crain and Eddie Albert, and released by Paramount Pictures.

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.

Soon, Lewis makes a career as a comic, but heavy drinking and self-destructive behavior lead 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.

Variety reported in November 1955 that Paramount Pictures would finance what was, for all intents and purposes, an independent feature film that was headed by Lewis and Sinatra, along with director Charles Vidor and author Art Cohn.

This movie won the 1957 Academy Award for Best Original Song, for "All the Way", by Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn in an oft-reprised arrangement from Nelson Riddle.

On Lewis' 1961 comedy album, It Is Now Post Time, he discusses his thoughts on the film: Sinatra did my life story, ladies and gentlemen, in a picture called The Joker Is Wild.