Lenny (1974)

The story of acerbic 1960s comic Lenny Bruce, whose groundbreaking, no-holds-barred style and social commentary was often deemed by the Establishment as too obscene for the public.

Director:

Bob Fosse

Writers:

Julian Barry (play), Julian Barry (screenplay)

Stars:

Dustin Hoffman, Valerie Perrine, Jan Miner

Nominated for 6 Oscars. Another 7 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dustin Hoffman	...	Lenny Bruce
Valerie Perrine	...	Honey Bruce
Jan Miner	...	Sally Marr
Stanley Beck	...	Artie Silver
Frankie Man	...	Baltimore Comic
Rashel Novikoff	...	Aunt Mema
Gary Morton	...	Sherman Hart
Guy Rennie	...	Jack Goldstein
Michele Yonge	...	Nurse
Kathryn Witt	...	Girl (as Kathie Witt)
Monroe Myers	...	Hawaiin Judge
John DiSanti	...	John Santi
Mickey Gatlin	...	San Francisco Policeman
Martin Begley	...	San Francisco Judge
Mark Harris	...	Defense Attorney

Storyline

Interview-style biography of controversial and pioneering stand-up comedian Lenny Bruce. The film traces Bruce from his beginnings as a Catskills comic to his later underground popularity based on his anti-establishment politics and his scatological humor.

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Plot Keywords:

stand up comedian | comedian | scatological humor | death | contempt of court | 

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Taglines:

Lenny's Time Has Finally Come!

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Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 November 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

Lenny Bruce

Filming Locations:

Miami Beach, Florida, USA

Box Office

Gross:

SEK 1,021,233 (Sweden)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Marvin Worth Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Broadway production of "Lenny" by Julian Barry opened at the Brooks Atkinson Theater in New York on May 26, 1971 and ran for 453 performances.

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Goofs

During the movie's opening monologue, Lenny says that it's 1964 and then references the MDA Telethon, which debuted in 1966.

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Quotes

Lenny Bruce: Did you know that Eleanor Roosevelt gave Lou Gehrig the clap?

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Connections

References Citizen Kane (1941)

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Soundtracks

"It Never Entered My Mind"
by Miles Davis

User Reviews

What a performance...

Well if I was ever in any doubt about Dustin Hoffman's talent this movie truly has put an end to it. I've seen enough footage of the real Lenny Bruce to realise just what a great performance this is. He looks so like Bruce, and the mannerisms are so well done it is hard to think of any way this performance could be improved upon. The direction and camera work are also superb as is Valerie Perrine's performance as Bruce's wife. It seems impossible to give this less than ten out of ten.