An absolute gem. These arcane industrial musicals aren't particularly compelling, but the stories behind them are fetching, lovingly told, and peppered with sweet reveals that sneak up on you and steal your heart. The finale features a life lesson that is inspiring and pitch perfect.
38 Reviews
Everything's Coming Up Toilets
yzazz4 December 2018
Snark turns into heart as former Letterman head-writer Steve Young becomes more and more involved in the mysterious world of industrial musicals.
For several decades, unbeknownst to the general public, corporate America treated its sales and management staff to custom made musical theater, all themed to product lines and selling strategies. Through the discovery of some souvenir records, originally obtained for "Dave's record collection" bits on Late Night with David Letterman, Young goes down the rabbit hole of this bizarre world of big-budget corporate one-off musicals. The film begins offering bits and pieces of this strange world as Young's obsession with collecting the rare relics leads him to contacting various players from the world of industrial musicals.
Early-on, it becomes clear that Young's appreciation has moved beyond snark into genuine affection. He still finds the music absurd, but he is charmed by It nonetheless. However, for the first half of the film he appears to be on a self-serving, obsessive quest to acquire these records, and the relationships he develops with other collectors he seem to be just a means to that end. Gradually, he begins to meet the players involved in the creation of the musicals: the songwriters and actors, many of whom used these evanescent works as their sole means of support. He, and the film's audience, cannot help but be charmed by these characters and their enthusiasm for what they created. It is only toward the latter third of the film that Young moves from a fairly engaging guide through the history of industrial musicals to a character the audience can root for. He goes from a sort of disaffected comedy nerd to a more evolved and empathetic human being. It's that sub-plot that gives this gem of a documentary it's real heart.
For several decades, unbeknownst to the general public, corporate America treated its sales and management staff to custom made musical theater, all themed to product lines and selling strategies. Through the discovery of some souvenir records, originally obtained for "Dave's record collection" bits on Late Night with David Letterman, Young goes down the rabbit hole of this bizarre world of big-budget corporate one-off musicals. The film begins offering bits and pieces of this strange world as Young's obsession with collecting the rare relics leads him to contacting various players from the world of industrial musicals.
Early-on, it becomes clear that Young's appreciation has moved beyond snark into genuine affection. He still finds the music absurd, but he is charmed by It nonetheless. However, for the first half of the film he appears to be on a self-serving, obsessive quest to acquire these records, and the relationships he develops with other collectors he seem to be just a means to that end. Gradually, he begins to meet the players involved in the creation of the musicals: the songwriters and actors, many of whom used these evanescent works as their sole means of support. He, and the film's audience, cannot help but be charmed by these characters and their enthusiasm for what they created. It is only toward the latter third of the film that Young moves from a fairly engaging guide through the history of industrial musicals to a character the audience can root for. He goes from a sort of disaffected comedy nerd to a more evolved and empathetic human being. It's that sub-plot that gives this gem of a documentary it's real heart.
Come for the kitsch, stay for the fun!
Green-Irish-Eyes8 November 2020
As a former would-be Broadway actor, I always SO wanted to get cast in an "industrial." I never made it, but at last I can participate, even if only from the audience.
This little film is a gem, and you'll learn more than you ever suspected you didn't know about this art form. It's great fun!
This little film is a gem, and you'll learn more than you ever suspected you didn't know about this art form. It's great fun!
Unexpected poignancy
rebeccashubert9327 October 2018
One needn't enter into viewing this documentary with any background knowledge of either musical theater or the corporate world to find oneself deeply moved by an exploration of the strange landscape where those two worlds meet. Initially, the film presents itself as a quirky investigation of the bizarre world of industrial musicals, played for laughs. By the end, it turns into something much sweeter and stranger, a testament to friendship, passion, and the human spirit. I laughed, cried, smiled, and wondered. The film is worth every minute of your time.
Joyously entertaining tribute to musical theatre
jmholmes-737271 March 2019
Where has this movie been hiding this year? Perhaps because so many documentaries, the vast majority, are serious and often eager to expose troubling events in the world, it's hard to imagine such a film being delightful and charmingly eccentric. Yet that is exactly what this documentary is. One of a kind, this is a nostalgic look at a type of entertainment that existed only on the stages of auditoriums hosting company business conferences. Car and tractor companies, dog food manufacturers, and plumbing and bathroom suppliers - all financed these peculiar stage musicals to entertain and encourage their salesmen and employees in cities across the U.S.A.
One of the head writers of the David Letterman Show seems to have literally discovered this forgotten branch on the tree of show business. The results of his digging around obscure record shops and interviewing writers and actors, as well as uncovering rare film clips of some of these lively performances - are on display here.
For fans of Broadway style musicals and the fringes of show business, this gets close to heaven.
A curious look into the quirky world of "marketing musicals" that's just a bit too long.
Benjamin-M-Weilert17 October 2019
To some, the idea that there were whole musical productions that were practically enormous advertisements for companies seems absurd. Since I grew up listening to Stan Freberg, I already knew that musicals could sell products (take his "Omaha" musical, for instance, since it was basically a 15-minute radio ad for Butternut coffee). At any rate, Bathtubs Over Broadway (2018) explores these oddities that most people never realize existed up until only a decade or two ago. It's a little sad to see these ridiculous odes to corporate marketing go by the wayside...but it also makes sense as well.
If there's anything that Bathtubs Over Broadway gets across, it's that these musicals were serious business, even if the companies they were selling weren't. There were songs about bathrooms-repeated throughout its runtime-if that gives you an idea of the content. It is a little awe-inspiring to see famous names tied to these theatrical productions. One wonders how many legendary songwriters, producers, and actors got their start on the "advertising circuit" before breaking through to more significant (and more publically-available) roles.
While this documentary follows one of the most avid collectors of these musicals, it felt a little too long to be a full-length feature (albeit just barely, only clocking in at 87 minutes). Consequently, a number of the sequences felt repetitive as it drove home the point of how ridiculous these musicals were. It probably would have worked better as a documentary short, at least to keep it focused on the main idea (marketing musicals). Instead, it ballooned out of scope to include its own original song and dance number-which itself is a little cringe-worthy as well. In the end, I have a feeling this documentary might remain as obscure as the musicals it uncovered.
A curious look into the quirky world of "marketing musicals" that's just a bit too long, I give Bathtubs Over Broadway 3.0 stars out of 5.
If there's anything that Bathtubs Over Broadway gets across, it's that these musicals were serious business, even if the companies they were selling weren't. There were songs about bathrooms-repeated throughout its runtime-if that gives you an idea of the content. It is a little awe-inspiring to see famous names tied to these theatrical productions. One wonders how many legendary songwriters, producers, and actors got their start on the "advertising circuit" before breaking through to more significant (and more publically-available) roles.
While this documentary follows one of the most avid collectors of these musicals, it felt a little too long to be a full-length feature (albeit just barely, only clocking in at 87 minutes). Consequently, a number of the sequences felt repetitive as it drove home the point of how ridiculous these musicals were. It probably would have worked better as a documentary short, at least to keep it focused on the main idea (marketing musicals). Instead, it ballooned out of scope to include its own original song and dance number-which itself is a little cringe-worthy as well. In the end, I have a feeling this documentary might remain as obscure as the musicals it uncovered.
A curious look into the quirky world of "marketing musicals" that's just a bit too long, I give Bathtubs Over Broadway 3.0 stars out of 5.
Outstanding documentary on a genre I had previously not known existed.
thesprocket7724 October 2018
We saw this documentary this summer at the Nashville Film Festival in May of 2018. Not knowing anything about Industrial Musicals I was walking in blind. I had no idea how interesting this topic was, nor how pervasive it was in our nations cultural past. The documentary was hugely informative, but had me laughing out loud. The narrator, Steve Young really brought together composed researcher and sharp humor. Also, Steve's diligence tracking down and archiving these aging recordings is alone worthy of praise. I would highly recommend seeing this film.
Delightfully Offbeat Version of "Nothing Happens Until A Sale Is Made"
AudioFileZ13 May 2019
Way back in the seventies the business school mantra was "nothing happens until a sale is made". So how does American ingenuity foster ever greater sales? Turns out there was a unique thing designed to do just that. The Industrial Musical Theater. The biggest juggernauts of industry signed on to a new way in the years post WW II. They hired some of Broadway's best song and theater talent to make a kind of double secret type of sales motivation in the form of Broadway show productions just to fire up the guys and gals in the trenches selling a wide variety of wares. These shows were just for sales meetings and often the budgets were much greater than the Broadway hits of the day. To provide a souvenir that kept motivating afterwards the biggest productions pressed record albums chock full of all of the creative jingles which made up the productions. Largely lost to time and obscurity it took a unique, off-kilter, person to act as a archaeological excavator. That would be long-time comedy writer Steve Young. Young spent several decades exclusively writing for The David Letterman Show. Dave's oft used record collection segments became Young's exclusive territory. Young would find obscure, often unintentionally hilarious, records to feature on the segment. It opened up a world Young never knew existed. Like a moth to a flame Young became obsessed with the genre of the Industrial Musical. This film sheds a spotlight on this singular sales tool which combined Broadway musical productions with overtly clever sales pitches. Now, this film isn't for everyone. Few will find a deep interest I think it's safe to say in the utterly over-the-top method of selling more bath fixtures by way of a slick song and dance number. Or will they? I surprised myself by watching it all. It turns out a lot happens before a sale is made and to insure that final result American ingenuity went to a bit of strange and wonderful creativity. There may even be a message buried in the film as to why America innovated and led the world for a pivotal period and how we need to return to a new era of immense pride in what we make. The present day song and dance production at the end is quite up-lifting. I'm glad Steve Young was able to bring his passion on forgotten Americana to the written page and the screen. If it's worth doing it's worth singing about.
Expertly Navigated Story of Heart and Hard Work
sjshock6 December 2018
A woven story of heart: beginnings and endings and the trails of creations in the wake. This movie touched me and will no doubt do the same to countless others. There's a humanity here greater than the industrial musicals - which are astounding on their own- and it leaves the watcher with a warmth that doesn't dissipate.
A Rare Look at Amazing Industrial Shows
jimnycla7 December 2018
For some of us, a trip down memory lane!
mikesturgill4927 February 2022
Many of those same musicals were used in public advertisements and promotions. Back in '65 I remember the neighborhood Citgo had a circus elephant tethered on their lot and, among other things, those same ZOOM glasses being distributed!
Can't stop smiling
sca23231 December 2018
What a blast it was watching "Bathtubs over Broadway". I seriously can't remember the last time I laughed so much while watching a DOCUMENTARY! What a joyous celebration of one man's journey to unearth and bring to life an entire genre and group of forgotten artists. This is a "can't miss."
Possible Spoilers - Nothing nostalgia
brsmarc7 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Nostalgia is one of those things people love to look back on. For most of us this is about actual experiences we've lived and have such a fond positive (and often false recollection) with we need to recreate it.
That trip across the Adriatic. The glory days on the high school basketball team, The college class that changed your view of the world. To each one of us these were seismic, profound and life changing times.
Steve Young, the protagonist of the recently released "documentary", Bathtubs over Broadway apparently had nothing of significance happen in his life ("I never had any interests when I was a kid" and few friends - until his long standing tenure as head writer of the highly successful Late Night with David Letterman television show ended.
I think I can imagine how directionless one's life can seem when for thirty years you float through four years at Harvard and 25 years of writing comedy could create a cocoon that protects you from the world at large. You've got security, prestige, a well paid job, the opportunity to create and satirize a world just outside your front door (on Broadway) without really dealing with day to day issues or problems.
Nice work, if you can get it.
You can practically see the loss and confusion on his face as he roots around the remains of the TV set, searches for memorabilia and as a final farewell (as depicted in the film) is seen dumpster diving before hugging a long time colleague and flatly saying "I'm not going back in". He's baffled about how to deal with his severance and straining to answer the question - what do I do now?
What indeed.
The answer, we learn, is - find a hobby about something arcane, pointless, superficial, and - to be kind - eccentric. Enter, The Industrial musical. What's an industrial musical you might ask?
It is a creation designed and developed for a unique, collected and in need of motivation corporate audience. Its a sales tool. An over priced, ill conceived and frequently campy, corny, and unnecessary staged production of that company's products and services for suppliers, distributors and sales and marketing people. It is the comic relief for days long meetings on a national or regional level of boring, monotonous, proselytizing. It was (and still is) an unadulterated effort for a company to boost its sense of self and do anything possible to make money.
To be clear there is no adorable Waiting for Guffman, look how charming the locals are aesthetic about it. These are huge multi nationals marketing themselves to each other, partners and distributors. This is really a sad and pathetic ethos. We're led to think "these companies take the art piece seriously" when we learn that the year a major Broadway play is funded with $400k pales to the $3-$4 million corporations are spending on these productions, we're supposed to be convinced.
There's also the literary and filmic trick they pull in the beginning, the very beginning, that this is a "secret world, we were never meant to see" as if they were revealing the covert Nicaraguan war the CIA and Bush administration hid from the public. Not the same. There's no secret code to get into the Skull and Bones, no lit match poem that gains entry to the Harvard lampoon or special trust fund that grants membership to some sort of Eyes Wide Shut bacchanalian orgy.
There's no there, there.
Ultimately this is a biopic masquerading as a legitimate documentary. So if you're expecting a Bowling for Columbine, Jiro Dreams of Sushi or Man on Wire epiphany - reset your expectations. It is a film the point of which you get in the first 45 mins. As such the movies twice as long as it needs to be. After 45 minutes its boring, repetitive, and superficial over and over.
The movie fails to come together because it is lost between being about a man looking for purpose at a life changing time and a subject matter that is over sentimentalized and not especially interesting. The subtext of this film is especially appealing to revisionist historians who think about "how great things used to be". But this can have troubling undertones because it is no longer a secret that "when things were great" they weren't great for everyone.
Thats what makes it nostalgic but nostalgic for an experience the protagonist never went through. It was best left as a punchline to a silly album that has faded into obscurity for a reason.
That trip across the Adriatic. The glory days on the high school basketball team, The college class that changed your view of the world. To each one of us these were seismic, profound and life changing times.
Steve Young, the protagonist of the recently released "documentary", Bathtubs over Broadway apparently had nothing of significance happen in his life ("I never had any interests when I was a kid" and few friends - until his long standing tenure as head writer of the highly successful Late Night with David Letterman television show ended.
I think I can imagine how directionless one's life can seem when for thirty years you float through four years at Harvard and 25 years of writing comedy could create a cocoon that protects you from the world at large. You've got security, prestige, a well paid job, the opportunity to create and satirize a world just outside your front door (on Broadway) without really dealing with day to day issues or problems.
Nice work, if you can get it.
You can practically see the loss and confusion on his face as he roots around the remains of the TV set, searches for memorabilia and as a final farewell (as depicted in the film) is seen dumpster diving before hugging a long time colleague and flatly saying "I'm not going back in". He's baffled about how to deal with his severance and straining to answer the question - what do I do now?
What indeed.
The answer, we learn, is - find a hobby about something arcane, pointless, superficial, and - to be kind - eccentric. Enter, The Industrial musical. What's an industrial musical you might ask?
It is a creation designed and developed for a unique, collected and in need of motivation corporate audience. Its a sales tool. An over priced, ill conceived and frequently campy, corny, and unnecessary staged production of that company's products and services for suppliers, distributors and sales and marketing people. It is the comic relief for days long meetings on a national or regional level of boring, monotonous, proselytizing. It was (and still is) an unadulterated effort for a company to boost its sense of self and do anything possible to make money.
To be clear there is no adorable Waiting for Guffman, look how charming the locals are aesthetic about it. These are huge multi nationals marketing themselves to each other, partners and distributors. This is really a sad and pathetic ethos. We're led to think "these companies take the art piece seriously" when we learn that the year a major Broadway play is funded with $400k pales to the $3-$4 million corporations are spending on these productions, we're supposed to be convinced.
There's also the literary and filmic trick they pull in the beginning, the very beginning, that this is a "secret world, we were never meant to see" as if they were revealing the covert Nicaraguan war the CIA and Bush administration hid from the public. Not the same. There's no secret code to get into the Skull and Bones, no lit match poem that gains entry to the Harvard lampoon or special trust fund that grants membership to some sort of Eyes Wide Shut bacchanalian orgy.
There's no there, there.
Ultimately this is a biopic masquerading as a legitimate documentary. So if you're expecting a Bowling for Columbine, Jiro Dreams of Sushi or Man on Wire epiphany - reset your expectations. It is a film the point of which you get in the first 45 mins. As such the movies twice as long as it needs to be. After 45 minutes its boring, repetitive, and superficial over and over.
The movie fails to come together because it is lost between being about a man looking for purpose at a life changing time and a subject matter that is over sentimentalized and not especially interesting. The subtext of this film is especially appealing to revisionist historians who think about "how great things used to be". But this can have troubling undertones because it is no longer a secret that "when things were great" they weren't great for everyone.
Thats what makes it nostalgic but nostalgic for an experience the protagonist never went through. It was best left as a punchline to a silly album that has faded into obscurity for a reason.
Expected the laughs, the journey was delightful surprise.
jimbaker13 December 2018
Musicals to motivate American salespeople? For real? Afraid so. And we're so much better for it. At least I am, after seeing Bathtubs Over Broadway. Excellent storytelling. Mr. Young took me down unexpected paths. I thoroughly enjoyed each new discovery along with him. He's got a joy and drive for discovery that you can't help but embrace.
Charming Shaggy Dog of a doc will move you
Jimtoday17 November 2018
At first "Bathtubs" seems like just a little story about a sweetly nutty guy who discovers a hobby which becomes his true passion, but as he delves deeper the real people behind the creations he has rediscovered give his life a new resonance. It draws you in with its humanity and is ultimately quite touching.
The sub genre of industrial musical theater is mostly forgotten, but here, it is rediscovered by a man who sees the heart, the soul and the magic behind this almost forgotten corner of Americana. I can't imagine the fun-hater who won't be charmed and moved by this delightful doc.
The sub genre of industrial musical theater is mostly forgotten, but here, it is rediscovered by a man who sees the heart, the soul and the magic behind this almost forgotten corner of Americana. I can't imagine the fun-hater who won't be charmed and moved by this delightful doc.
Laugh & Cry about toilets?
boonrob27 October 2018
Steve Young (who wrote for Letterman for 30+ yrs) in an unlikely yet lovable and quirky star of this journey into industrial musicals of the sixties.
I had read Steve's book on the subject but did not expect to laugh and get misty eyed about toilets, silicone and the performers that brought it all to life.
I had read Steve's book on the subject but did not expect to laugh and get misty eyed about toilets, silicone and the performers that brought it all to life.
Best documentary I've seen in years
donz-4208026 October 2018
This film begins on a whimsical touch as it introduces former long-time Letterman writer Steve Young as he goes about his business preparing an upcoming taping. Steve then explains how he inadvertently discovered this under-the-radar genre of Industrial Musicals while preparing segments for "Dave's Record Collection." Intrigued by its mystery, he scours the planet in search of as many records and films as he can. All fascinating and entertaining on its own.
But then the documentary takes an unexpected turn into something far more substantial, far more deeper, far more enlightening than I think even Steve had envisioned when he took on this journey. And that's what makes this film so delightfully lasting.
While the professionalism shines through in all aspects -- the direction, the editing, the production, the graphics, the wonderful soundtrack -- it's the story that holds it all together as it builds to a finish that'll take your breath away.
I can't recommend this highly enough.
DO NOT MISS THIS FILM!!
omar-lugones-23 December 2018
"Life can be so rich and wonderful when we step off the logical path and embark on eccentric adventures."
I won't spoil the context in which it's delivered, but that sentence, spoken during a pivotal scene in "Bathtubs Over Broadway" perfectly sums up my experience viewing this film.
What could've easily just been a quirky, humorous, deep dive into the obscure world of industrial musicals, becomes a powerful, poignant portrait of an unsung group of talented artists who finally get the recognition they deserve, and a jaded comedy writer who finds his passion and his tribe.
You will laugh. You will cry. "It'll change your life!"
I won't spoil the context in which it's delivered, but that sentence, spoken during a pivotal scene in "Bathtubs Over Broadway" perfectly sums up my experience viewing this film.
What could've easily just been a quirky, humorous, deep dive into the obscure world of industrial musicals, becomes a powerful, poignant portrait of an unsung group of talented artists who finally get the recognition they deserve, and a jaded comedy writer who finds his passion and his tribe.
You will laugh. You will cry. "It'll change your life!"
Brilliant
dgreenaccts2 December 2018
Saw this at TriBeCa this year and it floored me. It's laugh out loud funny, and also brought me to tears. Without question one of the best docs I've seen this year. Catch this movie with a crowd if you can. It's beautiful.
A Film For The Ages
ngjonola23 October 2018
This is a Must See Film that enlightens the soul to a lost and forgotten period in American History when show business was at its best. Nostalgic and Unforgettable, Bathtubs Over Broadway Soars! Brilliantly directed and presented, this story is like no other. It is a journey of rediscovery that will leave you wanting more, more, MORE!
A delightful wonderful experience..
kathyrosof14 November 2018
Bathtubs over Broadway is perhaps the best documentary I have ever seen... It is delightfully entertaining, exceedingly funny, charming and heartwarming and overall an unexpected delightful experience!! i cant wait to see it again...and again...
One man's obscure obsession fuels this moving and empathetic look at finding your passion.
jonathanpalmer-5605810 December 2018
"Bathtubs Over Broadway" is a deep-dive into the world of corporate industrial musicals, told thru the lens of one man's obsessive quest to collect evidence of these obscure works. Longtime Letterman head writer Steve Young is the human subject of Dava Whisenant's charming film, which at first glance could be mistaken for a kitsch novelty. And don't get me wrong: there are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, hearing snippets of these songs about bathroom fixtures, life insurance, and a variety of durable goods. The true power of Whisenant's film is its storytelling, as she and Young track down the creators of these often beautifully-crafted American musicals. Ultimately, it's a sublime and moving film about the value of creative work, no matter how kitschy and niche-y.
A strange wonderful journey! See this!
asburykaz6 December 2018
Surprisingly poignant
barb84215 December 2018
Being a Broadway fan, I had heard of these industrial musicals mentioned in interviews over the years. But I had never seen them or even heard the music. This movie was a revelation in that I finally got to see and hear these productions. But Bathtubs Over Broadway is so much more - nostalgic, optimistic, life-affirming, sweet, and sometimes silly. It is about discovering a passion in your life, making new friends, and finding joy. I actually found myself getting choked up a bit. Highly recommended!
Surprisingly moving
lrosowsky27 October 2018
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