Documentary on the life and death of Lenny Bruce.Documentary on the life and death of Lenny Bruce.Documentary on the life and death of Lenny Bruce.
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Lenny Bruce
- Self
- (archive footage)
- …
Steve Allen
- Self
- (archive footage)
- …
Martin Garbus
- Self
- (archive footage)
William Glenesk
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (as Rev. William Glenesk)
Nat Hentoff
- Self
- (archive footage)
Frank Hogan
- Self
- (archive footage)
Paul Krassner
- Self
- (archive footage)
Malcolm Muggeridge
- Self
- (archive footage)
Jean Shepherd
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (as Jean Shepard)
Kenneth Tynan
- Self
- (archive footage)
Lyndon B. Johnson
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaLenny (1974) is a fictionalization of the real life person also portrayed in works such as Lenny Bruce: Swear to Tell the Truth (1998), Lenny Bruce in 'Lenny Bruce' (1967), Looking for Lenny (2011), that is also mentioned as an influence in documentaries like Fuck (2005), Obscene (2007) and Hungry i reunion (1981).
- ConnectionsEdited into Looking for Lenny (2011)
Featured review
Heartbreaking portrait of a fearless comedian
Lenny Bruce: Without Tears is a deeply personal and, in spite of its subtitle, heartbreaking portrait of the persecution and ultimate self destruction of the trailblazing comic and social commentator. As his legal issues mount, he begins literally quoting from court transcripts as part of his act.
Although these days it might seem tame, Bruce's comedy was considered radical and potentially even dangerous in the early to mid-1960s when his career was at its peak. This unfortunately led to such absurd situations as police officers repeating his act in court (in Bruce's words, "badly") and him being blacklisted from nearly every potential venue.
In the end, Lenny was no match for the forces he was up against and the footage of his body lying lifeless on the floor is unspeakably bleak. All of this would be sad, of course, in any situation. What makes it exceedingly tragic is the perceptiveness and fearless nature of his comic mind.
Although these days it might seem tame, Bruce's comedy was considered radical and potentially even dangerous in the early to mid-1960s when his career was at its peak. This unfortunately led to such absurd situations as police officers repeating his act in court (in Bruce's words, "badly") and him being blacklisted from nearly every potential venue.
In the end, Lenny was no match for the forces he was up against and the footage of his body lying lifeless on the floor is unspeakably bleak. All of this would be sad, of course, in any situation. What makes it exceedingly tragic is the perceptiveness and fearless nature of his comic mind.
helpful•10
- matthewlcorey
- Mar 29, 2023
Details
- Runtime1 hour 25 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
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Top Gap
By what name was Lenny Bruce: Without Tears (1972) officially released in Canada in English?
Answer