Its a crying shame that Lenny Bruce died many years before his time. We need someone with his humor more than ever today. Ive heard from so many people that off stage Lenny was just as cool and funny as he was on. An old friend of his, Fred Baker, made a film out of Lenny on and off stage and his many arrests back in the early 70s called Lenny Bruce Without Tears. Now its finally making it to DVD.
I didn't know that Swear to Tell the Truth had stolen material from it. I always thought it was one of the best, most intriging documentaries I had ever seen. I guess I'll have to check out the 70's film on Bruce... I've never been one to like old movies, hence why I didn't check it out beforehand.
Ever since I saw the documentary, I have been in love with Lenny and his comedy. He was definately ahead of his time. Also, a funny tid bit of info: During the show that he was arrested for, namely the one who made him famous. One other person in the crowd was arrested that night.
I have a few of his albums and I've read two books on him. I love how he's become somebody that people reference but never know any of his material like Jesus or Kafka. His act, for the most part, really stands up well. I think if he was a live today what would really blow his mind is how little shit has changed. I even love when he'd go onstage and riff off of the court trasnscripts from his trials. The Law and Lenny Bruce is a great album. People need to check that shit out.
Fucking heinous what the legal system put him through. One of the prosecutors had this to say in retrospect:
"I feel terrible about Bruce. We drove him into poverty and bankruptcy and then murdered him. I watched him gradually fall apart. It's the only thing I did in Hogan's office that I'm really ashamed of. We all knew what we were doing. We used the law to kill him."
Great site for trial info. Another DVD of one of his last performances has also been just released.
In my belief, Lenny was the first true living soul out there willing to sacrifice the so called american standards for truth and consequents. Any reasonable human with an ounce common sense would understand and feel for the unjust the man was handed. If he were alive today i think he would say to all that life is like a box of condoms you never know witch one is going to break. In all that is said or done turn another person on to the great hummor of ones self or another.
courtneyriot
STAFF
Los Angeles, CA
NOV 08, 2005 06:00 AM