Calypso Joe
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Edward Dein
Herb Jeffries
Angie Dickinson
Edward Kemmer
Stephen Bekassy
Laurie Mitchell
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
In New York, Julie, an airline stewardess, is about to leave on her final flight before she retires to marry Rico Vargas, a South American millionaire, when her former boyfriend, television personality Lee Darling, arrives at her apartment and attempts to win her back. Despite help from Julie's roommate Leah, Lee fails. Before Lee leaves, however, Rico arrives with his sister Astra, who makes a play for Lee. Hoping to make Julie jealous, Lee responds. Later, Lee goes to the airport to say goodbye to Julie, whose flight to South America includes Rico and Astra among its passengers. Singer Calypso Joe and his musicians, who have worked on Lee's television program, are also on the plane and conspire to smuggle Lee on board to give him more time to dissuade Julie from marrying Rico. Lee's presence only irritates both Julie and Rico, although Astra is still sympathetic to him. During a stopover at Trinidad's Port-of-Spain, the group visits a plush nightclub, where Rico's personality suddenly changes and he becomes domineering and bosses Julie about. Angered by his attitude, Julie leaves their table and walks out to a patio where, to the accompaniment of Calypso Joe and his group, Lee again entreats her to leave Rico. This time he is successful and Julie and Lee return to New York while Rico and Astra continue on to their homeland.
Director
Edward Dein
Cast
Herb Jeffries
Angie Dickinson
Edward Kemmer
Stephen Bekassy
Laurie Mitchell
Claudia Drake
Murray Alper
Linda Terrace
Charles R. Keans
Genie Stone
Robert Sherman
Herb Jeffries' Calypsomaniacs
Lord Flea And His Calypsonians
The Easy Riders:
Terry Gilkyson
Richard Dehr
Frank Miller
Lester Horton Dancers
Duke Of Iron
Crew
William F. Broidy
William F. Broidy
Thor Brooks
Linda Cross
Pat Cummings
Lonnie D'orsa
Richard Dehr
Edward Dein
Edward Dein
Mildred Dein
Lord Flea
Terry Gilkyson
Richard Hazard
Richard Hazard
Herb Jeffries
Gana Jones
John Kemp
Frank Miller
Al Overton
Herman Schoenbrun
Ralph Slosser
Jennie Sultan
Carlie Taylor
Stuart Thompson
George Troast
Arthur Wasson
Erwin Yessin
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
As no print was available for viewing, the summary above was derived from reviews and a studio synopsis. According to a January 30, 1957 Hollywood Reporter news item, Sal Mineo was to star in Calypso Joe, which was to begin production the following summer. However, the film's production was moved up and rushed into theaters in the spring of 1957 to capitalize on the then-current popularity of calypso music. Two other films released later in 1957, Calypso Heat Wave and Bop Girl Goes Calypso, also promoted the music. The Hollywood Reporter review noted that the sequences between the many musical numbers were often quite funny and "certainly superior to the usual dialogue bridges that pass for plot in such pictures."
A Variety news item of April 3, 1957 reported that Hawaii-based, entertainer-promoter Bill Matons, who had been billing himself as "Calypso Joe" for eighteen years and had copyrighted several songs under that name, had his attorney write a letter to Allied Artists about the misuse of his registered name. The outcome of that complaint has not been determined.
Miscellaneous Notes
Released in United States May 1957
Released in United States Spring May 1957
b&w
Released in United States May 1957
Released in United States Spring May 1957
