Calypso Joe is a 1957 American musical film directed by Edward Dein, who co‑wrote the screenplay with Mildred Dein. The picture was produced by William F. Broidy Productions and distributed by Allied Artists Pictures. It stars Herb Jeffries in the title role, alongside Angie Dickinson, Ed Kemmer, Stephen Bekassy, Laurie Mitchell and Claudia Drake. The film was released in the United States on June 9 1957 and has a running time of 76 minutes.
Plot
The narrative follows Julie, an airline hostess who intends to marry South American millionaire Rico Vargas. Her former boyfriend, television star Lee Darling, attempts to win her back, while Rico’s sister Astra makes advances toward Lee. In a last‑minute effort to change Julie’s mind, the eponymous Calypso Joe smuggles Lee onto the aircraft carrying Julie, the musicians, and various bands, setting the stage for a series of musical numbers and comedic misunderstandings.
Cast
- Herb Jeffries as Calypso Joe
- Angie Dickinson as Julie
- Ed Kemmer as Lee Darling
- Stephen Bekassy as Rico Vargas
- Laurie Mitchell as Leah
- Claudia Drake as Astra Vargas
- Additional appearances by Lord Flea, Duke of Iron (Cecil Anderson), and others playing themselves.
Production
Filming began on 18 March 1957 at KTTV Studios. Calypso Joe was part of a brief “calypso wave” of mid‑1950s American films that sought to capitalize on the popularity of Caribbean‑style music, following the commercial success of Rock Around the Clock (1956). Other contemporaneous titles in this trend included Calypso Heat Wave and Bop Girl Goes Calypso. Singer Bill Matons, who performed under the stage name “Calypso Joe,” attempted legal action to prevent Allied Artists from using the title, though the dispute did not halt the film’s release.
Release and Reception
The film was released on a double bill with Hot Rod Rumble and received a “B” rating from the National Legion of Decency for suggestive costuming. Contemporary reviews noted the abundance of musical numbers; Variety commented that the film would appeal to audiences who enjoyed calypso music, though it described the production as having “exploitation value.” Calypso Joe did not achieve box‑office success, and the broader calypso‑themed film cycle similarly underperformed.
Legacy
While largely forgotten in mainstream cinematic history, Calypso Joe remains a cultural artifact of the 1950s American fascination with Caribbean music and serves as an example of mid‑century genre experimentation within low‑budget studio productions.