2018 Heartland Film Festival: ‘Bathtubs Over Broadway’ ★★★½
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By Bob Bloom
It’s exciting to learn an aspect of show business that you knew very little about.
Thanks to former “Late Night with David Letterman” comedy writer Steve Young, a window has been opened into the genre of industrial musical shows, which had its heyday in the 1950s through the early 1980s.
Young’s obsession with these shows is followed in the delightful documentary, “Bathtubs Over Broadway.”
His interest in this largely forgotten segment of musical theater began as a comedy bit on Letterman’s show, when Young would scour music for recordings of these shows.
As his collection grew, he became more curious as to the origins and the people who created and performed in them.
To his surprise, Young realized that these were not just fly-by-night productions created by gifted amateurs, but that talented songwriters, lyricists and actors were the backbones of the shows.
He found such well-known theatrical people as Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock, the team who wrote “Fiddler on the Roof,” and John Kander and Fred Erb, who created “Cabaret,” had, early in their careers, wrote industrial musicals.
Performers such as Florence Henderson, Hal Linden, Tony Randall, Chita Rivera and Martin Short had hit the boards in some of these shows.
Young also discovered a subculture of people who made their living mostly for creating and working on these shows.
It fascinated Young, who also found that throughout the country, existed collectors like himself who gravitated to these shows — seeking out recordings, playbills and other memorabilia.
The fun of “Bathtubs Over Broadway” is in learning the reach of these productions. It seems thousands of companies — large and small — produced them to present to their executives and sales staffs at annual regional and national gatherings.
Companies such as General Motors, Champion Spark Plugs, Whirlpool, Ragu, J.C. Penney, Citgo, Xerox, Purina and Frigidaire sponsored shows that were used to tout their products and inspire their workforce.
Every facet of manufacturing from the makers of plumbing and farm equipment to tractors and airplanes spent millions to enliven what would usually be boring conferences.
One such show, that really intrigued Young, was titled “The Bathrooms Are Coming.” Clips from the show are included in the movie as are interviews with the man who wrote its songs and a couple of the performers who sang them.
“Bathtubs Over Broadway” is a hoot. At times, you have to tip your cap to the creativity of these specialty creations and the people behind them.
What Young discovered — and what will impress you — is that those who participated in these shows are proud of their contributions and are surprisingly humbled that, not only are they fondly remembered, but that people from all over are interested in their work and fondly embrace it.
“Bathtubs Over Broadway” will leave you flushed with joy and admiration. It’s a hearty valentine to theatrical soldiers whose spotlight may not have been as bright as others but continue to light up the lives of those who cherish their dedication.
I am a member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. My reviews appear at ReelBob (reelbob.com) and Rottentomatoes (www.rottentomatoes.com). I also review Blu-rays and DVDs. I can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com or on Twitter @ReelBobBloom. Links to my reviews can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn.
The Heartland Film Festival takes place from Oct. 11 to Oct. 21. For a complete schedule and venues, go to www.heartlandfilm.org.
BATHTUBS OVER BROADWAY
3½ stars out of 4
Not rated