View of Mister Kelly’s marquee featuring Joan Rivers and Adam Wade, Chicago, Illinois, circa 1968.
In the 21st century, it seems that a near-unlimited supply of entertainment is at our fingertips, or at least at the click of a mouse. That flow seems constant with a staggering variety of options. But what did folks do around 75 years ago? Sure, radio was still dominant, though this new “gizmo” called television was making inroads. And of, course the movies were there. As for live entertainment, many performers played at regional venues like state fairs and auditoriums. If you were looking for something more intimate, the big cities had nightclubs. And in between meccas like LA (with Ciro’s and Slapsy Maxie’s) and NYC (with the “Copa” and the Latin Quarter), there was the “Windy City”. When the vaudeville and burlesque venues began to shutter, lots of big-name talents, in music and comedy,...
In the 21st century, it seems that a near-unlimited supply of entertainment is at our fingertips, or at least at the click of a mouse. That flow seems constant with a staggering variety of options. But what did folks do around 75 years ago? Sure, radio was still dominant, though this new “gizmo” called television was making inroads. And of, course the movies were there. As for live entertainment, many performers played at regional venues like state fairs and auditoriums. If you were looking for something more intimate, the big cities had nightclubs. And in between meccas like LA (with Ciro’s and Slapsy Maxie’s) and NYC (with the “Copa” and the Latin Quarter), there was the “Windy City”. When the vaudeville and burlesque venues began to shutter, lots of big-name talents, in music and comedy,...
- 10/14/2021
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Tiffany Haddish has joined the National Comedy Center’s advisory board of the directors. She fills the seat formerly held by the late Carl Reiner.
The announcement coincides with Lucille Ball’s 110th birthday. The center is located in Ball’s hometown of Jamestown, New York.
“Comedy is a true art form — its artists deserve to be celebrated and its creative work needs to be preserved,” Haddish said on Friday morning. “I’m truly honored to be part of the National Comedy Center. Lucille Ball was an extraordinary influence on my career and my work, so to help bring her vision for this cultural institution to life is a dream come true for me.”
Lewis Black, founding chair of the advisory board, said, “On behalf of the entire advisory board, it’s a thrill to have Tiffany Haddish join us. With Tiffany’s participation, we become a more vital resource...
The announcement coincides with Lucille Ball’s 110th birthday. The center is located in Ball’s hometown of Jamestown, New York.
“Comedy is a true art form — its artists deserve to be celebrated and its creative work needs to be preserved,” Haddish said on Friday morning. “I’m truly honored to be part of the National Comedy Center. Lucille Ball was an extraordinary influence on my career and my work, so to help bring her vision for this cultural institution to life is a dream come true for me.”
Lewis Black, founding chair of the advisory board, said, “On behalf of the entire advisory board, it’s a thrill to have Tiffany Haddish join us. With Tiffany’s participation, we become a more vital resource...
- 8/6/2021
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
The always-dynamic director Jack Hill goes teen-gang wild with this absolutely crazy take on Jd pictures, pitched three octaves higher than normal exploitation drama. All the nasty-rasty thrills are here, from an episode of Wip sadism to brutal misogyny to a gang skirmish fought on a roller skating rink. What began as one of those exploitation cheapies with three women, comes alive with the dynamic Robbie Lee, Joanne Nail and Monica Gayle — even with all the sexist cruelty on view, the no-limits performances feel liberating, energizing. Hill’s gang epic is so stylized, it’s almost a fantasy. With some good interview and analysis extras.
Switchblade Sisters
Blu-ray
Arrow Video
1975 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 91 min. / Street Date April 27, 2021 / The Jezebels Available from Arrow Video / 39.95
Starring: Robbie Lee, Joanne Nail, Monica Gayle, Asher Brauner, Chase Newhart, Marlene Clark, Kitty Bruce, Janice Karman, Don Stark, Don Marino, Helene Nelson, Bill Adler, Paul Lichtman,...
Switchblade Sisters
Blu-ray
Arrow Video
1975 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 91 min. / Street Date April 27, 2021 / The Jezebels Available from Arrow Video / 39.95
Starring: Robbie Lee, Joanne Nail, Monica Gayle, Asher Brauner, Chase Newhart, Marlene Clark, Kitty Bruce, Janice Karman, Don Stark, Don Marino, Helene Nelson, Bill Adler, Paul Lichtman,...
- 4/27/2021
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Luke Kirby plays comedian Lenny Bruce on the Amazon comedy “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” He won an Emmy last year for his performance in Season 2.
Kirby recently spoke with Gold Derby senior editor Susan Wloszczyna about his research process for playing Bruce, his big moments with Midge (Rachel Brosnahan) in Season 3 and whether he will be back for the fourth season. Watch the exclusive interview above and read the complete transcript below.
SEEWill Luke Kirby (‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’) go 2-for-2 at Emmys for Best Comedy Guest Actor?
Gold Derby: Last year you won a Guest Actor Emmy and you beat out the likes of Robert De Niro and Matt Damon on “SNL.” When I watched your acceptance speech, you seemed rather calm about it. Or was that just an act?
Luke Kirby: I think it was likely an act. My adrenal glands have a tendency to lean towards a more laconic,...
Kirby recently spoke with Gold Derby senior editor Susan Wloszczyna about his research process for playing Bruce, his big moments with Midge (Rachel Brosnahan) in Season 3 and whether he will be back for the fourth season. Watch the exclusive interview above and read the complete transcript below.
SEEWill Luke Kirby (‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’) go 2-for-2 at Emmys for Best Comedy Guest Actor?
Gold Derby: Last year you won a Guest Actor Emmy and you beat out the likes of Robert De Niro and Matt Damon on “SNL.” When I watched your acceptance speech, you seemed rather calm about it. Or was that just an act?
Luke Kirby: I think it was likely an act. My adrenal glands have a tendency to lean towards a more laconic,...
- 7/25/2020
- by Kevin Jacobsen and Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
Luke Kirby, who continues his role as the taboo-flaunting comic Lenny Bruce on Season 3 of Amazon’s “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” won an Emmy as Best Comedy Guest Actor last year. He managed to beat out such A-level talents as Matt Damon and Robert De Niro, who were both up for their appearances on “Saturday Night Live.”
Kirby, who is sporting a rather impressive quarantine mustache these days, was rather calm as he gave his acceptance speech onstage and offered thanks to all the right people as he read his speech off a card. Was that just an act?
In our recent webchat (watch the exclusive video above), he reveals, “I think it was likely an act. My adrenal glands have a tendency to lean towards a more laconic, lethargic tone. I think sitting there for the two hours that it took to get to that category. All the blood...
Kirby, who is sporting a rather impressive quarantine mustache these days, was rather calm as he gave his acceptance speech onstage and offered thanks to all the right people as he read his speech off a card. Was that just an act?
In our recent webchat (watch the exclusive video above), he reveals, “I think it was likely an act. My adrenal glands have a tendency to lean towards a more laconic, lethargic tone. I think sitting there for the two hours that it took to get to that category. All the blood...
- 5/29/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
Looking for Lenny
Directed by Elan Gale
2011, USA, 70 mins.
Director Elan Gale has a point to make, and it is this: the reason people like me are allowed to write ‘fuck’ in a social context without fear of repercussion is because people like Lenny Bruce did it first and suffered the repercussions for us. Gale isn’t alone. His film, Looking for Lenny, is filled with comedians (like Lewis Black, Robin Williams, and Phyllis Diller) and, for lack of a better phrase, social ne’er-do-wells (like Hugh Hefner and Ron Jeremy) who make the same point. They are compelling, and I am convinced – but the film is much more than a biography. Looking for Lenny expounds on the subject of political correctness and censorship, and discusses Michael Richard’s racist rant and Don Imus’s firing. Through it all, Lenny Bruce himself remains something of an elusive figure in his own documentary.
Directed by Elan Gale
2011, USA, 70 mins.
Director Elan Gale has a point to make, and it is this: the reason people like me are allowed to write ‘fuck’ in a social context without fear of repercussion is because people like Lenny Bruce did it first and suffered the repercussions for us. Gale isn’t alone. His film, Looking for Lenny, is filled with comedians (like Lewis Black, Robin Williams, and Phyllis Diller) and, for lack of a better phrase, social ne’er-do-wells (like Hugh Hefner and Ron Jeremy) who make the same point. They are compelling, and I am convinced – but the film is much more than a biography. Looking for Lenny expounds on the subject of political correctness and censorship, and discusses Michael Richard’s racist rant and Don Imus’s firing. Through it all, Lenny Bruce himself remains something of an elusive figure in his own documentary.
- 4/29/2011
- by DaveRobson
- SoundOnSight
The annal Toronto Jewish Film Festival in Toronto kicks off May 7 with 118 films from 21 countries, including 1 world premiere, 1 international premiere, 3 North American premieres, 34 Canadian Premieres, 7 free programmes and 1 World Class Film Festival. The festival runs until the 15 of May and will also feature a tribute to “Three Lennys” – Bernstein, Cohen and Bruce – with special guests Alexander Bernstein and Kitty Bruce; and with Offerings From Eytan Fox, Lou Reed, Claude Lanzmann, Dani Levy, Tony Palmer. Also the festival will screen China’s First Animated Film To Deal With The Holocaust.
Here is the official press release:
One of the largest festivals of its kind in the world, Tjff returns May 7 and runs through May 15, with films from 21 countries that reflect aspects of Jewish identity and diversity with universal themes. This year’s Tjff features 118 films from Argentina, Austria, Brazil, China, Cuba, Denmark, France, Germany, Israel, Mexico, The Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Russia,...
Here is the official press release:
One of the largest festivals of its kind in the world, Tjff returns May 7 and runs through May 15, with films from 21 countries that reflect aspects of Jewish identity and diversity with universal themes. This year’s Tjff features 118 films from Argentina, Austria, Brazil, China, Cuba, Denmark, France, Germany, Israel, Mexico, The Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Russia,...
- 4/6/2011
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
Comedian Richard Lewis stopped by "Extra" to chat about his upcoming "Misery Loves Company" tour - kicking-off October 31st at the Lincoln Theater in Napa, Calif.
Before Richard begins the nationwide tour, he and a handful of comedians are putting on a one-time show supporting Lenny's House, a recovery home for women addicted to drugs or alcohol, founded by Lenny Bruce's daughter, Kitty Bruce. The event takes place October 28th at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood.
Before Richard begins the nationwide tour, he and a handful of comedians are putting on a one-time show supporting Lenny's House, a recovery home for women addicted to drugs or alcohol, founded by Lenny Bruce's daughter, Kitty Bruce. The event takes place October 28th at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood.
- 10/22/2009
- Extra
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