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Bathtubs Over Broadway
2018 | USA | NR | 87 min.
Elk Rapids Cinema
Wed, Jul 25, 2018 6:00 PM
Elk Rapids Cinema
Wed, Jul 25, 2018 9:00 PM
While researching unusual vinyl albums for David Letterman, comedy writer Steve Young never expected to stumble across anything quite like the long-forgotten world of industrial musicals. And little did he know this quirky discovery would yield such a nerdy and fascinating documentary. An obscure corner of show business that was meant to entertain and energize the sales forces of corporate America, these musicals were full-scale productions with budgets often toppling their Broadway counterparts. Sure, the featured songs with titles like “Everything’s coming Up Citgo” (for Citgo Petroleum Corporation) and “Detroit Diesel Dazzle” (for Detroit Diesel) are easy to laugh at, but there’s also something truly beautiful at work. Young’s giddy enthusiasm for these oddities turns meaningful, forming a community of collectors who uncover not only the well-known people who got their start in the field (the film features interviews with the likes of Martin Short and Florence Henderson), but also the unknown craftsmen thrilled to finally have their work recognized. Told with warmth, charm, and unabashed nostalgia, Young’s love for this slice of Americana cheese is infectious. It’s a film that works its delightful magic so thoroughly you're sure to leave humming tunes about bathroom fixtures (“The Bathrooms are Coming!”). IN PERSON: Director Dava Whisenant and Subject Steve Young (COH and CHS screenings only).
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