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YOU HAD TO BE THERE: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution...

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YOU HAD TO BE THERE is a hilarious, emotional, and revelatory documentary about the legendary 1972 Canadian production of Godspell that changed entertainment forever. The Toronto production of the musical about the life of Jesus starred a then-unknown cast of Martin Short, Gilda Radner, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Dave Thomas, and Victor Garber, et al., with Paul Shaffer serving as musical director -- a crazy confluence of talent rivaling 'Paris in the 20s.' The production lit the spark that ignited the comedy revolution that followed, leading to Saturday Night Live, SCTV, and a host of movies and TV shows all the way up to Schitts' Creek and Only Murders in the Building. The film features interviews with all the surviving members of the cast, as well as other show business luminaries who testify to the production's profound and lasting influence. YOU HAD TO BE THERE also makes use of never-before-seen-or-heard archives from the cast, including rehearsal footage and rare audio recordings of the musical itself, as well as cast parties of the gang hanging out at Marty and Eugene's apartment at 1063 Avenue Road late into the night, which shed joyful new light on this magical time and place.

Critics Reviews

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Kristy Puchko Mashable Sep 16
The most incredible thing about You Had to Be There is that this film makes you feel like you were there, and these friends are your friends too. Go to Full Review Owen Gleiberman Variety Sep 15
The niftiness of Davis’s film is that it’s about Godspell, and it’s about something bigger than Godspell -- a pop movement that didn’t have a name yet, a cultural spirit that found its way into existence almost like (laughing) gas gathering in the air. Go to Full Review Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Sep 14
5/5
For comedy nerds, You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution...isn’t just a clever title—it’s a promise the documentary delivers on. Go to Full Review Bill Brioux Brioux.tv Sep 11
If you are still waiting in vain for that long delayed Martin Scorsese documentary about the origins of the series half the cast of “Godspell” ascended to, SCTV, consider “You Had to Be There…”...to be like manna from heaven. Go to Full Review Stephen Saito Moveable Fest Sep 9
Although it wisely refrains from trying too hard to explain how such an extraordinary collection of talent ended up in one place at one time, the film does offer a breezy overview of the conditions in Toronto that bred a unique brand of humor. Go to Full Review Matthew Carey Deadline Hollywood Daily Sep 8
“You had to be there” is a phrase sometimes used with a snicker -- like, “I can’t be bothered to explain what you missed out on, loser.” Here, we’re all invited to participate. And it’s a joyous experience. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Cast & Crew

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Nick Davis

Director

Valda Aviks

Self

Avril Chown

Self

Jayne Eastwood

Self

Victor Garber

Self

Eugene Levy

Self
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YOU HAD TO BE THERE: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution...

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Movie Info

Synopsis YOU HAD TO BE THERE is a hilarious, emotional, and revelatory documentary about the legendary 1972 Canadian production of Godspell that changed entertainment forever. The Toronto production of the musical about the life of Jesus starred a then-unknown cast of Martin Short, Gilda Radner, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Dave Thomas, and Victor Garber, et al., with Paul Shaffer serving as musical director -- a crazy confluence of talent rivaling 'Paris in the 20s.' The production lit the spark that ignited the comedy revolution that followed, leading to Saturday Night Live, SCTV, and a host of movies and TV shows all the way up to Schitts' Creek and Only Murders in the Building. The film features interviews with all the surviving members of the cast, as well as other show business luminaries who testify to the production's profound and lasting influence. YOU HAD TO BE THERE also makes use of never-before-seen-or-heard archives from the cast, including rehearsal footage and rare audio recordings of the musical itself, as well as cast parties of the gang hanging out at Marty and Eugene's apartment at 1063 Avenue Road late into the night, which shed joyful new light on this magical time and place.
Director
Nick Davis
Producer
Nick Davis, Sue Turley, Tom Powers, Bonnie Comley, Stewart F. Lane
Screenwriter
Nick Davis, Jane Mendelsohn
Genre
Documentary, Musical
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 38m