David Leaf

Birth : 1952-04-20,

History

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. David Leaf (born April 20, 1952) is an American writer, producer and director known for documentaries, music programs and pop culture retrospectives. Among his best known documentaries are The Night James Brown Saved Boston (2008), The U.S. vs. John Lennon (2006) and Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of SMiLE (2004). He also wrote the landmark Brian Wilson biography The Beach Boys and The California Myth (1978). Description above from the Wikipedia article David Leaf, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia

Movies

Stayin' Alive: A Grammy Salute to the Music of the Bee Gees
Writer
A star-studded tribute concert celebrating the iconic pop trio's impressive career.
Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him?)
Producer
The life and work of the enigmatic singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson.
Those Were the Days: The Birth of
Producer
DVD featurette documenting the beginnings of "All in the Family"
Those Were the Days: The Birth of
Director
DVD featurette documenting the beginnings of "All in the Family"
The Television Revolution Begins:
Director
DVD featurette documenting the success of "All in the Family".
James Brown - The Night James Brown Saved Boston
Producer
On April 5, 1968, soul legend James Brown performed a concert in Boston that many say shielded that city from the kinds of devastating riots that ripped other cities apart after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.
James Brown - The Night James Brown Saved Boston
Director
On April 5, 1968, soul legend James Brown performed a concert in Boston that many say shielded that city from the kinds of devastating riots that ripped other cities apart after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.
The U.S. vs. John Lennon
Director
A documentary on the life of John Lennon, with a focus on the time in his life when he transformed from a musician into an antiwar activist.
The Divine Bette Midler
Executive Producer
Follow the career of the Divine Miss M -- singer and actress Bette Midler -- from the bathhouses to Broadway to starring film roles. This A&E biography tells the story of the Emmy, Grammy and Golden Globe winner through interviews with friends, family, colleagues and the superstar herself. See clips from stage performances and films, and learn how the star of such films as The Rose, Beaches, and Down and Out in Beverly Hills has stayed on top.
Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile
Director
This film tells (using modern day interviews and archival footage and sound tapes) the story of how in 1967, while his band The Beach Boys triumphantly toured abroad, Brian Wilson was trying to push the boundaries of conventional pop music with a new follow-up to the Beach Boys' cutting-edge mega-hit, Pet Sounds. The new album was to be called "SMiLE". SMiLE pushed the envelope both musically and lyrically, and was supposed to out-do the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper record. But Brian wasn't able to sell the project to his band-mates when they returned. The project was shelved and Wilson's well-documented decline into depression, drug abuse, recluseness, and obesity had begun. Thirty-odd years later, Wilson announced that in 2004, SMiLE would be performed live in its entirety in London. This film tells the story of a damaged but healing artist bringing his greatest work to light.
Jack Paar: Smart Television
Writer
PBS documentary examining the work of Jack Paar.
Jack Paar: Smart Television
Director
PBS documentary examining the work of Jack Paar.
Jack Paar: Smart Television
Producer
PBS documentary examining the work of Jack Paar.
Bob Hope: The Road to Laughter
Writer
The documentary Bob Hope: The Road to Laughter contains numerous clips from the film and television work of the beloved entertainer. These snippets are intercut with interview footage featuring people who worked with Hope as well as film historian Leonard Maltin who provides a context for Hope's career. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
Bob Hope: The Road to Laughter
Director
The documentary Bob Hope: The Road to Laughter contains numerous clips from the film and television work of the beloved entertainer. These snippets are intercut with interview footage featuring people who worked with Hope as well as film historian Leonard Maltin who provides a context for Hope's career. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
Bob Hope: The Road to Laughter
Producer
The documentary Bob Hope: The Road to Laughter contains numerous clips from the film and television work of the beloved entertainer. These snippets are intercut with interview footage featuring people who worked with Hope as well as film historian Leonard Maltin who provides a context for Hope's career. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
Vintage Sinatra
Director
Performing timeless pieces such as "Night & Day" and "I've Got You Under My Skin," Sinatra's legendary voice and easy manner charms audiences young and old. As he suggests in the shows opening scene, singing "Come Fly With Me," Sinatra takes his fans on a journey back to his Capitol era, where he garnered the reputation he still holds today, as one of the finest American popular singers and entertainers of all time. VINTAGE SINATRA also features rare footage of Sinatra's heart-warming Valentine's Day performance of "My Funny Valentine" to a young, blushing Nancy Sinatra on "The Frank Sinatra Show." This exceptional retrospective also features Sinatra's personal favorite genre, smoky, dark and swanky nightclub music. With performances of "The Lady is a Tramp" and "Angel Eyes," Sinatra's zest for life and music shines brightly.
Bee Gees - Live by Request
Consulting Producer
Celebrating 35 years of hitmaking, the Bee Gees take the stage in New York City with host Mark McEwen taking the requests as Barry, Maurice and Robin play your favorite songs from the last four decades. From A&E's popular "Live by Request" music series, the brothers Gibb perform five new classics and over a dozen all-time favorites in this unique, intimate concert captured in glorious surround sound. Songs: This Is Where I Came In, She Keeps on Coming, Sacred Trust, Man in the Middle, Massachusetts, To Love Somebody, I Started a Joke, Jive Talkin', How Can You Mend a Broken Heart, Gotta Get a Message To You, Acoustic Medley: New York Mining Disaster/Run to Me/Too Much Heaven/Islands in the Stream/Holiday/A Woman in Love/Guilty/Nights on Broadway, Wedding Day, Lonely Days, How Deep Is Your Love, You Should Be Dancin'.
Dean Martin: That's Amore
Director
Like his fellow Rat Packers, pop crooner Dean Martin was more than just an accomplished singer--he also enjoyed success as a movie star, comedian, and host of a popular television series. THAT'S AMORE pulls rare gems from the Dean Martin archive, carefully compiling the star's greatest pop hits, including "Young and Foolish," "Pennies from Heaven," and of course, "That's Amore."
The Unknown Peter Sellers
Writer
Documentary about the life and career of a comic genius, Peter Sellers.
The Unknown Peter Sellers
Director
Documentary about the life and career of a comic genius, Peter Sellers.
Jonathan Winters: On the Loose
Director
A comic mastermind who influenced generations of comedians, Jonathan Winters has been making audiences laugh for nearly half a century. This retrospective presents rare footage of Winters -- from his first TV series ("The Jonathan Winters Show" in 1956) to appearances on dozens of talk and variety shows and in numerous feature films. Those interviewed include Robin Williams and singer Andy Williams, on whose show Winters was a frequent guest.
Brian Wilson: I Just Wasn't Made for These Times
I Just Wasn't Made for These Times is a documentary about the life of Brian Wilson, the musical mastermind and songwriter for the Beach Boys. The film examines the ups and downs of Wilson's life, including the early years of the Beach Boys, his years of substance abuse, and his long road to recovery. The film was directed by music producer Don Was, who also worked on the soundtrack for Backbeat, a film about the early days of the Beatles.
You Can't Do That! The Making of 'A Hard Day's Night'
Writer
Thirty years after A Hard Day's Night, its producer, director, writer and others describe its making. United Artists Records came to Walter Shenson, asking him to produce a movie so UA could issue a soundtrack album. Shenson signed Lester to direct, and they got the Beatles to agree to star. Shenson sent Owen to Dublin to spend time with the Fab Four; from this came a script built around their being prisoners of their own success. Phil Collins, himself an extra on A Hard Day's Night, hosts this examination of a seminal film: what was ad-libbed, why was it a hit, what was its influence on other movies, and how did it define the way the public viewed each Beatle for years to come?
The Unknown Marx Brothers
Writer
A tribute to the lives and careers of the Marx Brothers utilizing rare archival footage and personal interviews.
The Unknown Marx Brothers
Director
A tribute to the lives and careers of the Marx Brothers utilizing rare archival footage and personal interviews.
The Martin & Lewis Story: The Last Great Comedy Team
Co-Producer
Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis were the hottest act in America in the 1950's & the highest paid comedy team in show business. They starred in nightclubs, radio, television & movies. Martin & Lewis were a unique team. Both were talented entertainers & good friends on & off stage. Thru rare TV appearances, film clips, movie highlights & newsreels, follow their career from the beginning to their break-up.
The Martin & Lewis Story: The Last Great Comedy Team
Writer
Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis were the hottest act in America in the 1950's & the highest paid comedy team in show business. They starred in nightclubs, radio, television & movies. Martin & Lewis were a unique team. Both were talented entertainers & good friends on & off stage. Thru rare TV appearances, film clips, movie highlights & newsreels, follow their career from the beginning to their break-up.