Budd Friedman

Man on the Moon

Himself

The story of the life and career of eccentric avant-garde comedian, Andy Kaufman.

Funny People

Budd Friedman

Famous and wealthy funnyman George Simmons doesn't give much thought to how he treats people until a doctor delivers stunning health news, forcing George to reevaluate his priorities with a little help from aspiring stand-up comic Ira.

Star 80

Emcee

Paul Snider is a narcissistic, small time hustler who fancies himself a ladies man. His life changes when he meets Dorothy Stratten working behind the counter of a Dairy Queen. Under his guidance Dorothy grows to fame as a Playboy Playmate. But when Dorothy begins pursuing an acting career, the jealous Paul finds himself elbowed out of the picture by more famous men.

I Am Comic

Self

Through unprecedented backstage access and candid interviews, the film weaves through the absurd world of the working comedian and reveals a crazy and hilarious psychological profile of its practitioners. We also follow retired comic Ritch Shydner's attempt to climb back on stage after a thirteen-year hiatus. At the top of his game in the 1980's, Shydner had HBO specials, shot five pilot TV shows, and numerous late night appearances (Carson, Letterman, Leno, etc.) but the big time eluded him. Equipped with the collective wisdom and nutty musings of over 80 of his peers, he gives it another shot. Does Ritch have what it takes to connect with today's young crowds and still get the laughs?

That's Adequate

Standup Comic

This mockumentary about fictional movie studio Adequate Pictures boasts an interesting cast. Tony Randall hosts, and James CoCo (practically on his deathbed) stars as head of the studio. Includes parodies of everything from silent comedies to porn, including an ultra violent "three stooges" style comedy team who put a new spin on the eye poking gag.

The Boneyard Collection

Improv Host (segment "Cry of the Mummy")

A quirky anthology, consisting of four separate short films connected by host segments. The first one, BOOGIE WITH THE UNDEAD, has an all girl rock band booked to play a gig in a town overrun by flesh-eating zombies. In the second one, THE DEVIL'S DUE AT MIDNIGHT, a coven of beautiful witches conjure up Brad Dourif as The Devil, and endures the inept attacks of witch killer Ken Foree. In the first long segment, HER MORBID DESIRES, an actress gets the lead role in a vampire movie, only to discover that starlets are being murdered on the set. The other long segment, CRY OF THE MUMMY, has the reincarnated mummy, formerly the last Pharaoh of the 4th Dynasty, looking to sue the movie studios because he can't get work as a mummy. His new lawyer offers to represent him as an agent, but the mummy will only work in film if he can direct.

Laughing Out Loud: America's Funniest Comedians

Self (archive footage)

This set gives you a chance to see some of today's best comedians when they were much younger. some peoples bits are very short, one joke short, which leaves you feeling a little jipped. The replay value is minimal because you have to skip around so much to keep the laughs going.

Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic

Self

Mike Epps, Richard Pryor Jr. and others recount the culture-defining influence of Richard Pryor - one of America's most brilliant, iconic comic minds.

The Improv: 50 Years Behind the Brick Wall

Self

Several comic greats pay tribute to the legendary stand-up stage founded by Budd Friedman in 1963.

The Rosebud Beach Hotel

Customer

After taking over a failing Miami hotel with her workaholic fiancé, Elliot, Tracy thinks Liza has seduced her better half-to-be. She then tries to have an affair of her own, and arranges for hookers to become bellhops. Meanwhile, her rich daddy hires an inept arsonist to blow up the place.

Diary of a Young Comic

Himself

A time capsule of the L.A. comedy scene in the 1970s, "Diary of a Young Comic" casts Richard Lewis as a fictionalized version of himself - a young New York comic who comes out to Los Angeles to seek his fame and fortune.

Mr. Bill Does Vegas

Mr. Bill heads west to cruise the strip in Las Vegas.

Can We Be Serious

The Improv in LA, the Comedy and Magic Club in Hermosa Beach, and the universe of comedians and impresarios who called them home.