2021 Boulder International Film Festival

FOR MADMEN ONLY

Expired July 4, 2021 5:59 AM
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The world’s first improv troupe, The Compass Players, was organized in Chicago in the 1950s and grew to include Mike Nichols, Elaine May, Shelly Berman, Del Close and others. When Nichols, May and Berman left for fame and fortune, the group renamed themselves The Second City, and the eventual Director, Del Close—between his many nervous breakdowns—taught his rat-a-tat, free-association method of improv to young comedians like Robin Williams, Dan Ackroyd, John Belushi, John Candy, Stephen Colbert, Andy Dick, Chris Farley, Tina Fey, Shelley Long, Bill Murray, Mike Myers, Gilda Radner, Amy Poehler, Harold Ramis and dozens more. This unforgettable film features cameos and tributes (sort of) from some of the funniest people in America. Del Close believed that his improv students all had a “light to share” but that they should shut off the goddamn light and listen to him.

  • Year
    2020
  • Runtime
    87 minutes
  • Language
    English
  • Country
    USA
  • Premiere
    Colorado
  • Director
    Heather Ross
  • Screenwriter
    Heather Ross, Adam Samuel Goldman
  • Producer
    Jennifer Pike, Adam Samuel Goldman, Helen Hood Scheer
  • Cast
    Principal cast: Bob Odenkirk, Jason Sudekis, Lennon Parham, James Urbaniak, Josh Fadem, David Pasquesi, Susan Messing
  • Cinematographer
    Simon Fanthorpe, Joseph R. Fitzgerald, Steven Poster
  • Editor
    George Mandl, Tova Goodman, Sean Jarret
  • Animator
    Kendra Morris
  • Production Design
    Christy McIrwin
  • Composer
    Jacques Brautbar