Local Pennsylvania polka legend Jan Lewan develops a plan to get rich that shocks his fans and lands him in jail.Local Pennsylvania polka legend Jan Lewan develops a plan to get rich that shocks his fans and lands him in jail.Local Pennsylvania polka legend Jan Lewan develops a plan to get rich that shocks his fans and lands him in jail.
- Awards
- 1 win total
J.B. Smoove
- Ron Edwards
- (as JB Smoove)
Wallace Wolodarsky
- Vince
- (as Wally Wolodarsky)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe original Jan Lewan Orchestra members; Steve Saive Trumpet, Bob Lugiano Trumpet, Scott Shirk Saxophone, and Stephen Kaminski Saxophone, recorded the movie soundtrack at Avatar studios along with Jan Lewan who was coaching Jack Black on his vocals.
- GoofsAlthough the minor detail was caught to use the proper blue & yellow Pennsylvania license plates prior to the year 2000 and then update them to the current form upon Lewan's release from prison, vehicles are shown having front plates. Pennsylvania does not issue front license plates.
- Quotes
Title Card: This really happened.
Title Card: In Pennsylvania.
- Crazy creditsYou can see and hear the real Jan Lewan and his band perform.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Film Junk Podcast: Episode 643: The Post and The Road Movie (2018)
- SoundtracksOle Ole Ole 12 Inch
Written by Mike Stock, Jeanine Dee, Roland Verlooven, Matt Aitken (as Matthew James Aitken) and Pete Waterman
Performed by Jack Black
Featured review
The Movie "The Polka King" is based on the life of Jan Lewan, a Polish immigrant who came to the United States, settled in Northeastern Pennsylvania and continued his polka career, and eventually running a Ponzi Scheme. I'm not entirely sure how many of the facts of the man's life were embellished for the story, or if it can truly be considered a bio-pic. It is, none the less, entertaining due to Jack Black portraying Jan.
Because "School of Rock" showcased Black actually having some musical talent, I was surprised to see that he played, quite competently at that, the leader and singer of a polka band, a vastly different style than what he showcased in School of Rock. I don't know how much of a stretch it was for him, as a musician or an actor to pull it off, but in watching this he came across as a legitimate polka band leader, not as someone trying to portray one. He clearly brought some energy to the role, and seemingly getting the approval of Jan Lewan himself.
If you're a fan of Jack Black, or a fan of polka, or both, it's worth your time. It's not great cinema by any means, but I think it showcases that Black is versatile, and that's not a bad thing.
Because "School of Rock" showcased Black actually having some musical talent, I was surprised to see that he played, quite competently at that, the leader and singer of a polka band, a vastly different style than what he showcased in School of Rock. I don't know how much of a stretch it was for him, as a musician or an actor to pull it off, but in watching this he came across as a legitimate polka band leader, not as someone trying to portray one. He clearly brought some energy to the role, and seemingly getting the approval of Jan Lewan himself.
If you're a fan of Jack Black, or a fan of polka, or both, it's worth your time. It's not great cinema by any means, but I think it showcases that Black is versatile, and that's not a bad thing.
- christopher-cole83
- Jan 26, 2018
- Permalink
- How long is The Polka King?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Runtime1 hour 35 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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