When Comedy Went to School

Name: When Comedy Went to School
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Documentary
Released: July 31, 2013
Duration: 83 min
Rating: 49

2013

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Mixed or average reviews based on 13 Critic Reviews

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When Comedy Went To School

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Movie Details & Credits

International Film Circuit | Release Date: July 31, 2013 | Not Rated

Summary: The birth of modern stand-up comedy began in the Catskill Mountains - a boot camp for the greatest generation of Jewish-American comedians.

Director: Mevlut Akkaya and Ron Frank

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 83 min

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Critic Reviews

Ella Taylor

Aug 2, 2013

For the charming but skin-deep documentary When Comedy Went to School, filmmakers Mevlut Akkaya and Ron Frank gained enviable access to pioneer stars of Borscht Belt standup. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Donald Liebenson

Oct 11, 2013

Does not quite make the grade. For every great joke, hilarious anecdote, and keen insight, there are cringe-worthy dramatizations, narrative groaners. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

Aug 15, 2013

For a disorganized film that has trouble deciding what it's about, When Comedy Went to School can be a lot of fun. Read full review

Nicole Herrington

Jul 30, 2013

Fortunately for the filmmakers, most of the comedians interviewed here — Jerry Stiller, Jackie Mason, Jerry Lewis and many other (mostly male) voices — provide lighthearted remembrances to elevate this poorly executed documentary. Read full review

Walter Addiego

Oct 3, 2013

As a grab bag of reminiscences by veteran funny people, bolstered with richly entertaining performance footage, it's boffo. Read full review

Lou Lumenick

Aug 2, 2013

Superficial and hokey yet still oddly endearing. Read full review

Mark Feeney

Sep 19, 2013

A documentary about comedy needs to be funny. The old guys, as noted, have definitely lost a lot off their collective fastball. Read full review

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BHBarry

Aug 20, 2013

"When Comedy Went to School" is a 77 minute documentary about the history of the Catskill Mouontain area in upper New York State. For the most part, however, it is the story of the famous comedians who honed their craft in these predominantly Jewish resorts. These actor/comedians would"When Comedy Went to School" is a 77 minute documentary about the history of the Catskill Mouontain area in upper New York State. For the most part, however, it is the story of the famous comedians who honed their craft in these predominantly Jewish resorts. These actor/comedians would accept these one night gigs in order to entertain the guests who made the long car trips from NYC to enjoy a one or two week vacation in "the mountains". From Memorial Day to Labor Day, these hotels represented the places where the residents of the 5 boroughs would go each summer to escape the heat and humidity of the big city.
The film is ably narrated by Robert Kline and, in addition to film clips of the comics who performed there, there are interviews with the owners of these establishments as well. I submit that my positive reaction to the film is probably colored and influenced by the fact that I worked as a waiter in one of these hotels each summer for 3 years and, as a result, was able to earn enough to almost pay for all of my post graduate education. Accordingly, the nostalgia and pleasure I experienced may be more unique for me than for the average viewer who does not have this history.
Nevertheless, and regardless of one's culture or religious background, the film is also the story of stand up comedy and this alone is enough to make for a delightful theatrical experience.
What better recommendation can a reviewer give to his readers than to suggest going to see a film because they will have fun watching it. I give this film a 7.5 (it's technically not the best executed documentary) but, in spite of that criticism, I urge all who feel the need to laught to go and see it. As Jenny Grossinger, one of the more prominent hotel owners, would say...."try it...you'll like it… Expand

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