Affectionate tribute to Bruce Vilanch, who writes material for celebrities who make public appearances, from Oscar hosts and award recipients to Presidents. We meet his mom and see photos of his childhood; in Chicago, he writes for the Tribune and then heads West. Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Crystal, Robin Williams, and Bette Midler talk with him and to the camera about working with Bruce, and we also watch Bruce help others prepare for Liz Taylor's 60th, Bill Clinton's 50th, and an AIDS awards banquet where the hirsute, rotund Vilanch lets his emotions show.
Acting
Robin Williams improvising chaos; Bette Midler's razor-sharp memories.
Production
Incredible archival footage of Bruce's '70s Chicago Tribune days.
Director
Andrew J. Kuehn
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Vilanch was one of the few openly gay writers in '70s Hollywood, making this a rare document of pre-Ellen queer visibility in the industry.
Director Andrew J. Kuehn was a legendary trailer editor — this was his only feature doc, explaining the slick, promo-like energy.
US
