Movie #238 Tony Clifton: Live on the Sunset Strip *2011*

This movie was a first for me.  Actually it contained many firsts for me.

First off it was the first film that I ever saw in the classic Egyptian Theater on Hollywood Blvd in CA.
Second it was the first film I ever saw where I knew people involved in the production.  My friend Jeremy Johnson was the director and editor.
Third, it was the first time I really had the opportunity to rub elbows with celebrities.  I met Paul Rudd, Bill Hader, Ron Jeremy and others at the after party for this film.

The movie is a concert documentary.  It follows Tony Clifton around to a series of his shows.  Tony Clifton was an Andy Kaufman created character.  Andy used to perform as Tony, then once people started getting wise to that another person started doing Clifton to take the heat off Kaufman.  Now that tradition continues.  The Clifton character is a bad lounge act.  He is racist, vulgar, sexist, rude and completely obnoxious.  Not to mention funny as hell.  There is vividly an art to his act.  It is clear to see that this is a show and persona that has been skillfully crafted over many years.

Clifton is accompanied on stage by his "adopted daughter" Keely Marie Clifton. Together the guzzle whiskey by the bottle(s) and harasses the show girls that perform at the concerts.  The relationship between the Clifton's is an uncomfortable one at best.  Pretty much everything Clifton does is uncomfortable.

After the show Bill Hader of SNL and several movies did a Q&A with Tony.  Clifton was killing Hader on stage.  There is some history with Clifton and SNL producer Loren Michaels.  Clifton wasn't pulling punches (which is all part of the character) and Hader was on his heels.  He couldn't comment on what is his boss, even if he had wanted to.  Once the Q&A was over Clifton began to introduce all the celebrities in the theater.

I was totally star struck by Paul Rudd.  20 minutes after stumbling my way through an terrible introduction and request for a picture, I suddenly remembered all the great lines and movies that he is in and that I quote on almost a daily basis.    But it was too late.  He was long gone.

This isn't really my review of the movie.  I will save that until this movie get picked up and distributed, or I get a copy of a DVD.  All I will say is that if you ever get a chance to see this movie I highly recommend that you do.  I would leave your political correctness at the door though.  Just sit back and prepare to have the funny shoved down your throat.

I give Tony Clifton: Live on the Sunset Strip ★★★1/2.