RECOMMENDATIONS: 5 DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT SHOWBIZ PEOPLE

I love a good documentary. Here are 5 documentaries, each about the lives and careers of showbiz people, from Maggie Smith to Conan O'Brien. Rather than long verbose reviews, I've tried to keep things direct, short and punchy. These are capsule reviews of each documentary. 

Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop 

Funny and strangely emotional documentary about O’Brien’s cross-country comedy tour following his axing from the Tonight Show in 2011. Fans of O’Brien will love the behind the scenes peek at his mental state, the inner workings of the tour, and eventual reemergence as TBS late-night host. Not likely to convert any Jay Leno devotees. Would have benefitted from showing more of the actual tour show. CAST: Conan O’Brien, Andy Richter, Sona Movsesian. DIRECTOR: Rodman Flender. 

Tea with the Dames (aka Nothing Like a Dame) 

Four legendary actresses and old friends gather for drinks to gossip, reminisce, talk a little trash, and reflect on their film careers, theatre, Shakespeare, damehood, Laurence Olivier, and hearing aides. Endlessly re-watchable, charming and even bawdy, a great insight and historical preservation, not just about the four women, but the bygone world and business that begat them. Wish the film had been longer. CAST: Dame Maggie Smith, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Eileen Atkins, Dame Joan Plowright. DIRECTOR: Roger Michell.

The Super Dave Osborne Movie 

A great meta-bio about the late Bob Einstein (Curb Your Enthusiasm’s Marty Funkhauser). This self-aware and informal documentary traces Einstein’s incredible career and life, from growing up in a showbiz family, to the death of his father (live on the radio), to becoming a variety show producer, and finally a much-beloved, off-beat comedian. Larry David, Steve Martin, Albert Brooks (Bob’s brother), and many more share tales about him. Director Danny Gold constructs a movie that captures and permeates Einstein’s humor and personality. CAST: Bob Einstein, Sarah Silverman, David Letterman. DIRECTOR: Danny Gold.

Dreams with Sharp Teeth 

Acerbic and mercurial, but also immensely talented and prolific, the late writer Harlan Ellison is an ideal subject for a documentary.  An author of more than 1,700 short stories, novellas, screenplays, teleplays (including the much revered episode of Star Trek, "The City on the Edge of Forever"), and essays, Ellison became equally known for his wild antics and brawling with studios and producers. (He once mailed a dead gopher through fourth-class mail to a publisher during a contract dispute.) A shame that at times his personality overshadowed his talent. Fortunately, this excellent flick cracks open Ellison’s public character and persona, allowing a better look at the complex, endearing human within. CAST: Harlan Ellison, Robin Williams, Neil Gaiman. DIRECTOR: Erik Nelson.  

The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story 

The legendary Sherman Brothers composed many Disney classics and toe-tappers (The Jungle Book, Mary Poppins, “It’s a Small World"). In their personal lives, they had a strained relationship and rarely spoke in later years. No jolly holiday. The film delves into their childhood, musical influences, and time working with Uncle Walt. While the movie does shy away from expounding upon the exact source of their estrangement, it doesn’t affect the overall the experience. The film is packed with plenty of revelatory backstory that the directors (Gregory Sherman and Jeffrey Sherman, sons of Richard and Robert, respectively) don’t need to air out the family secrets. This one is catnip for Disneyphiles and music lovers. CAST: Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman. 

-T.Z.